Florida State Information
Florida Government Resources
Actually, one of the best things about living in Florida is that nearly everything you want to do, papers you have to file, and information you need to know is on-line! From the Florida state capital in Tallahassee right down to the local city government level, government information is made available to Florida residents via the Net. The access is easy and simple which makes your life less stressful. And, in most cases, you can find exactly what procedures you need to follow with very little effort.
As a place to start gathering the required information necessary for living in Florida - from applying for residency to obtaining a homestead exemption - Gulf Coast Associates is providing the following state government resources for you to use. Each venue offers a wealth of information from which you can begin investigating what you need to know before you move into your new Southwest Florida home.
In addition, we are providing you information and access to local area Chambers of Commerce. They can assist you in many areas including business and employment opportunities, local statistics and additional contact information on a variety of topics.
And, of course, our realtor® associates are also happy to assist you. So, if you have a question about a specific issue or are not sure where to start, just contact us. We'll point you in the right direction.
Where to Begin
www.MyFlorida.com - This is one of the most useful resources available from the state of Florida. You can use it to find out information on a variety of issues including residency requirements, homestead exemptions, driver's license and car & boat registrations, business and professional licenses, voter registration and more. Each topic is covered in an easy to read format and includes additional contact information for individual Florida counties.
Online Sunshine - This is the official site of the Florida Legislature and provides information on the actual statutes governing the state. It is a great resource for investigating anything which has specific criteria required under state law. Two real estate related examples would include the statutes on Homeowner Associations and Condominiums. Other relevant information would include information on Jessica's Law and the Florida Sexual Predators Act.
Real Estate Taxes
These are the basics of how real estate taxes work in the state of Florida. For specific information about your individual real property taxes, contact the county appraiser's office where you reside.
Real estate taxes are due on November 1st of every year and become delinquent as of April 1st the following year. Also, the state offers discounts to taxpayers for prompt payment. If your tax payment is postmarked using the following guidelines, the stated discount applies.
- November - 4% discount
- December - 3% discount
- January - 2% discount
- February - 1% discount
- March - 0% discount
In addition to the normal ad-valorem real estate taxes due, non-ad valorem assessments may be added to your tax bill. These vary by location and may include items like solid waste removal (trash pickup) and community water development districts. Tax rates also vary by county district and are revised each year. Again, consult with the county appraiser's office for specific information.
Florida currently has a homestead exemption of $50,000 for permanent residents and also offers additional exemptions for disabled veterans, fully disabled non-veterans, widowed persons and the legally blind.
Chambers of Commerce
- Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce
- Ft. Myers Chamber of Commerce
- Naples Chamber of Commerce
- Pt. Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
- Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
- St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce
If you have additional questions or would like to get started on your search for SW Florida homes for sale, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
