5420 Lagoon Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Property tax (after sale): $664/month est.; homeowners insurance: $248/month est.; HOA: $115/month. Fixed ownership costs before a mortgage: $1,026/month est. Principal and interest: $2,205/month; PMI: $0/month. Total for the payment scenario shown: $3,232/month est. Flood insurance is not included. Estimate only, not guaranteed. Verify before you buy or sell.

Usually yes. In Florida the assessed value resets to market value in the year after a sale, so the seller's current tax bill is rarely what a new owner pays. Budget roughly 1.8–2.0% of the purchase price annually until you file for homestead exemption and the Save Our Homes cap (or the 10% non-homestead cap) starts limiting increases.

Most of Fort Lauderdale sits in a FEMA flood zone, and lenders require flood coverage in high-risk zones. Premiums are driven by elevation certificate, flood zone, roof age and shape, and whether the home has impact windows or accordion shutters. Ask for the current declarations page, the four-point inspection and wind mitigation report early — they set your real cost of ownership.

In coastal South Florida, prioritize roof age and permit history, whether windows and doors are impact-rated, the seawall and dock condition on waterfront lots, drainage and elevation, plumbing type, and any open or expired permits with the city. These items, not cosmetics, drive both price and insurability.

Waterfront ownership adds seawall maintenance and eventual replacement, dock and lift servicing, higher flood and wind premiums, and salt-air upkeep on exterior finishes and equipment. Confirm bridge height and water depth at low tide if you plan to keep a boat.

This listing has been on the market 62 days. Leverage comes from days on market, price history, comparable closed sales and the seller's motivation — not from a fixed percentage. I pull the full history and the true comps before we write, so the offer is built on what the property is actually worth today. Call or text (954) 562-1798 for that analysis.