Wintering in Florida

Living here part of the year changes your taxes, your insurance and who looks after the house while you're gone.

• If Florida becomes your permanent home, you can apply for the homestead exemption with the county property appraiser by March 1. If it stays a second home, it doesn't qualify, and its assessed value can rise up to 10% a year.
• Many condos and HOAs limit renting while you're away. Read the rules before you offer if renting it matters.
• Hurricane season, June 1 to November 30, is when many seasonal owners are away. Plan who checks the home, closes the shutters and looks after it after a storm. Insurers may ask how long it sits empty.
• You can tour by live video, sign online and close without flying in. Florida allows remote online notarization.

Save homes to compareAsk your broker about rental rules

Sources: Florida Statutes §196.011 (homestead application by March 1); Florida Constitution Art. VII §4; Florida Statutes ch. 117 part II; NOAA. Programs and rules change; check what's current. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.