Buying a Home in Coastal Naples,Florida.

If you’re considering buying a home in coastal Naples, Florida—whether its a new home or an older home that may need updates—there are some important questions to ask beyond the finishes and floor plan.

What is the property’s FEMA flood zone and Base Flood Elevation? How high is the home’s lowest living level relative to the required elevation? Is there an Elevation Certificate?

For newer construction, ask about impact-rated windows and doors, properly designed flood openings in applicable garages or enclosed areas, elevated mechanical and electrical equipment, and the home’s overall flood and wind-mitigation features.

For an older home, look at what has been updated. Yard drainage and grading, properly installed flood vents where applicable, impact-rated windows and doors, roof age and construction, garage protection, and roof-to-wall connections can all be important considerations. Flood-barrier systems that can be installed across doorways and sliding-glass openings are also becoming more popular as an additional measure to help limit water entering a home during a storm surge.

And before purchasing, talk with your insurance professional about the home’s current wind-mitigation documentation and flood-insurance requirements. Qualifying wind-mitigation features may be eligible for insurance discounts, but the savings depend on the property and insurance company.

In coastal Naples, understanding how a home was built—and how it has been updated—can be just as important as how beautiful it is.

If you’re considering a home in Coastal Naples and would like a local professional to help you understand the property, its location, and the questions worth asking before you buy, I’m always happy to help.