What to Look for when Buying a Home in Miami

Are you tired of shoveling snow from your driveway before leaving every time you want to go somewhere during winter? Maybe the snow is reaching deep into your joints and bones, leaving you exhausted everyday.

Whatever the reason, it's not unreasonable to look for property in Miami, FL: the paradise down south.

Miami is a beautiful oceanside city that has amazing restaurants, night life, and socializing opportunities. There are also beautiful forests and parks nearby.

Miami really has a bit of everything. Best of all, it has the amazing weather. But, before you purchase a property down here, you need to be aware of some Miami specific dilemmas.

1. Parking Can Be a War

Miami is a big city with not so much parking. This means that parking can be a struggle, even if you need to park in front of your property. This is especially true if you are looking to buy a condo or staying in an apartment. Depending on how old the building is, there might only be one or a couple of parking spaces for the entire complex. Curb parking is strictly towed and ticketed in Miami.

So before you dive head first, you want to make sure that the place you're interested in has enough parking for your family.

2. How Much Water Damage is Too Much?

Water damage is extremely common in places with hurricane seasons. Florida has a hurricane season that lasts from the beginning of June until the end of November. That's a long time. That also means that almost every property in Miami has been hit by at least one hurricane.

Miami water damage doesn't always mean huge investments. If it's just a small leak, you can easily call restoration services to fix it up for you without a huge cost. It will be a worthwhile decision that can save you long-term expenses. You just need to worry when it becomes an overwhelming amount of damage you're dealing with.

3. What Are the Walls Painted With?

Miami is full of old houses that were covered with lead based paint. You need to be careful that the home that you're buying either has no lead based paint, or that the repair work won't be extremely expensive.

For example, if you buy a house at the lower end of your budget that has lead based paint, you're in a better place to get rid of that paint than if you were in a house on the high end of your budget.

4. Not Every Home Has a Garage

In Florida, having a garage isn't actually as common as you'd think. Not every home has a garage. Some might have a covered driveway but that's if you're lucky. This is especially true in Miami, where people are fighting over space to live. There is a high chance that the neighborhood you're interested in doesn't have garages.

Just make sure that you are double checking with your realtor to make sure they know that a garage is essential on your buyers list.

And Now... Time to Book a Flight

With these things in mind, you are ready to purchase the perfect property in Miami. The prices will vary depending on what neighborhood you want to be in and how close you are to the beach.

If you're retired, you might want to look at living in a 55+ community. There are plenty of resources and social activities in these communities. You'll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people and build friendships that will make your move less intimidating.