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Real estate notes from John

Straight, practical advice on buying and selling in Southwest Florida. New posts every couple of weeks.

Buyer guide

What is a CDD fee in Southwest Florida? A buyer's guide

CDD fees show up on your property tax bill and can add $1,500 to $5,000 a year to what you actually pay. Here is how they work, what they cover, and what to verify before you write an offer.

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Buyer guide

How much are HOA fees in Naples, FL? A buyer's guide by community type

Most Naples HOA dues run $200 to $1,200 a month, but the range hides everything. A community-by-community breakdown of what you pay, what it covers, and the special assessment trap to watch for.

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Buyer guide

How much is home insurance in Naples, FL? A 2026 buyer's guide

Most Naples homeowners pay $3,500 to $9,500 a year. The real reasons rates run high, the wind mitigation credits that cut the bill, and what to ask the seller before you write the offer.

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Buyer guide

How much are property taxes in Naples, FL? A buyer's guide

The real Collier County numbers, why the seller's tax bill is rarely what you will pay, and how the homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap change the math.

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Relocation

Moving to Southwest Florida? How to choose your area

Most buyers I work with are moving here from out of state. The first real question is not which house, it is which area. Here is how Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Fort Myers actually differ.

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Seller guide

How to price your Southwest Florida home so it actually sells

The price you list at is the most important decision in a sale. Here is why overpricing backfires, and what a real price is actually based on.

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Buyer guide

The first-time home buyer's roadmap in Southwest Florida

Buying your first home has more moving parts than most people expect. A full roadmap, with the Florida-specific details that catch buyers off guard.

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Have a real estate question?

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