Obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy In Marco Island

March 20, 2019 By Dawn

A Certificate of Occupancy proves that your particular structure on your property or any improvements on the structure comply with all ordinance, regulations, and codes of The City of Marco Island and the State of Florida. If you intend to purchase a residential home for the purpose of renting it out, you will need a Certificate of Occupancy

If you own a structure in Marco Island, you can apply for a certificate of occupancy through the City. Remember, the structure must comply with all regulations, ordinances and codes of both the City and the State of Florida.

Permitting and Inspections in the City of Marco Island

To check out the City’s Guide to Permitting and Inspections, click here. To obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, for a structure you intend to rent out, you will need to to the following:

Make sure that all inspections are completed. Plus, they must be completed in the correct order.
Submit all required documents for review.
Pay all fees due.

Scheduling Your Inspections

To schedule inspections, you must call into the particular inspector’s voicemail before seven o’clock the day before your inspection. You can also schedule them using the Citizen Access Portal on the City’s website within the same time frame.

On the voicemail message, you will be asked to leave the following information:

Permit Number
Inspection Type
Job Site Address
Return Phone Number
Access instructions

City of Marco Island Inspectors’ Phone Numbers

(239)389-5055 – Plumbing, Mechanical, Residential LP Gas, Irrigation & Solar Heating
(239)389-5056 – Structural, Roofing, Signs, Fences
(239)389-5057 – Electric, Marine Electric, and Electric Signs

If you need a fire inspection, you must call before five o’clock in the evening the day before you need the inspection. Call (239)394-5405 for fire inspections including the following:

Fire Sprinkler Systems
Fire Alarms
Fire Penetrations
Commercial Gas

Don’t forget, you must have your Inspection Cards readily available on site in order for the inspector to sign off.View the current Florida Code online here. View the City of Marco Island’s Administrative Construction Code online here.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

First, check out available Marco Island area properties using this helpful search tool. If it’s easier, you can just call us at 239-821-7926 or get in touch with us online to let us know what you’re looking for. We’re happy to contact you however you prefer. Then, we’ll start searching our databases right away using criteria you specify!

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Selling A Home In Florida, The Freest State In The United States

March 12, 2019 By Dawn

Are you considering selling a home in Marco, Island Florida? Worried about the news of a slower market? Luckily, our area of the country is doing better than most. Is it a coincidence that our state also happens to have been awarded the title of “The Freest State In The Nation” by a Cato Institute study? It seems like these two factors are feeding off of eachother. Actually, hundreds of people each day are migrating to Florida. The Cato Institute research indicates that the freedom factor is a large reason why people are choosing to buy a home in Florida.

The Research

The Cato Institute study ranked each U.S. state by “how its public policies promote freedom in the fiscal, regulatory, and personal freedom spheres.” We earned the number one overall title. And when broken down into categories, we won number one spots in four of them, plus seven Top-10 rankings in other categories.

We have less-restrictive policies. Other states more restrictive policies are said by the researchers to have harmed their economic growth. Our state offers more opportunity than others, and that’s encouraged the migration of people to Florida. Plus, more than $156 billion in annual income has also moved to Florida for our states tax benefits. This income has moved here from high tax states like New York. Florida’s state taxes are greater than a standard deviation and a half below the national average.

The authors wrote:

“Florida is one of the top states for educational freedom, although homeschool regulations remain substantial.”

“Florida does especially well on economic freedom, especially on fiscal policy,” the authors also wrote. “Regulatory policy is improved but mediocre in comparison to the fiscal side. Florida’s personal freedom has lagged in the past; however, it has improved a lot over the past two years.”

The study looked at taxes, government employment, spending, fiscal decentralization, and other factors.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Selling A Marco Island Home To Millenials

March 7, 2019 By Dawn

Millennials now make up the largest group of homebuyers. Here’s the thing you need to know if you’re considering selling your Marco Island home. Millennials don’t want the same thing that older generations wanted. They also shop differently from homebuyers in older generations. So, here’s what we’ve come to realize about the millennial homebuyer market.

ISO an Instagrammable Home

Millennials aren’t as impressed with traditional features. They are looking for rich accents that add beauty to their home. They’re often naturals of design, so they want a home that reflects this hunger for aesthetics. Think swapping out a standard kitchen counter top for one made of casted concrete or a rich quartz will likely impress this market. Millennials often enjoy high-end finishes. Around the home, stone detailing or cut timber is a unique addition depending on the home’s style. Choose hardwood or vinyl plank flooring. As a general rule, they prefer light-colored paints with black detailing. In the kitchen, choose stainless steel appliances if you’re replacing appliances to appeal to homebuyers.

Marketing Difference

Millennials are going to conduct almost all of their home search online. They are less likely to drive around and look for signs or check printed media. They want lots of high definition photos or virtual tours. They do not want to waste their time checking out a home just to see if they’ll like it. We need to grab their attention with the online listing photos. As we move into the future, we even expect millennials will begin requesting virtual reality tours. Sincerely, almost 75 percent of millennials surveyed recently are impressed by VR technology.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Check For Signs Of Destructive Insects

March 3, 2019 By Dawn

You’ve probably heard of termites, but do you know what signs to look for regarding termite activity before you buy a house? Are you aware that there are other insects that can literally destroy the structure of a home, such as carpenter ants? Termites are native to 49 states in the U.S. and cause more than five billion dollars in property damage a year. While there are ways to salvage a home after termite or carpenter ant invasion, it is far less costly to prevent or catch signs of trouble early.

Termites eat dead plants and trees, so they love wood in homes. They can also eat plastic, paper and even drywall. They love warm, dark places, such as crawlspaces and woodpiles.

Check For Moisture

It’s very important to notice the moisture of the ground around a home’s exterior. Is it constantly wet or boggy? If so, this is a sign that termites may be a problem, as they are attracted to moisture.

Check the gutters and downspouts on homes to see that they are present and working. This also assures that water is more likely to divert from the home instead of laying near the foundation, lowering the risk of termites.

Signs Of Termites

When looking for termite activity, look for wood damage (particularly small, 1 mm sized holes in wood, especially behind surfaces like walls and floors). You can also find termite holes in plaster or drywall.

Another key sign is small discarded insect wings near windows or doors. It is a myth that termites only seek residence in a home in the winter – they have high activity in all seasons.

Pencil-sized mud tubules in the ground near a home are another key indicator of termite invasion. While termites are a nuisance, they aren’t the only insect that can invade wood. Carpenter ants also invade wood – they are large ants with wings that don’t eat wood, but invade and hollow out wood to make nests.

Home Inspectors & Exterminators

If you suspect a home you own or are considering purchasing has experienced a problem with destructive insects, it is well worth hiring a home inspector or exterminator to investigate potential issues. It is far easier to prevent infestations or stop them when they are small than to deal with a large problem, which can be costly and time consuming.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Don’t Forget To Do These Two Things If You’re Relocating With A Dog

March 2, 2019 By Dawn

Are you planning to relocate? Do you have a dog in your family? If you’re planning to move with your dog, you probably have already considered how you will keep your dog safe during your move. Here are two important things to take care of if you intend to move with your dog. It might be best to handle this as soon as you decide that you are for sure going to relocate. That way, these important steps don’t get overlooked.

UPDATE YOUR DOG’S MICROCHIP

If your pet has a microchip, remember to update the contact information registered with the microchip. One good idea during the move if to get the phone number updated with your cell phone instead of your new landline number. This way, if your pet gets loose during the move, you will be easier to reach. Talk to your current vet or the shelter where your dog was microchipped to update this information.

GET ALL VETERINARIAN RECORDS AND PROOF OF VACCINATION

It’s really important to get in touch with your current veterinarian before a move. Don’t wait until just before the move. If you’ve never bought a new home before, you should know the last couple of weeks before closing can get crazy. You can take care of getting your dog’s paperwork in order before you even begin looking for a new home.

Keep a copy of your dog’s rabies vaccine in a place that’s easy to access. Since you might be travelling with the animal, you could even a copy in each vehicle or in your purse or wallet. See, if your dog escapes on the trip and gets scared and nips at someone, having proof of rabies vaccination on hand will spare you an enormous hassle.

If you know where you want to move, you can even begin looking for a new veterinarian. In Collier County, you can find plenty of veterinary clinics. It’s usually good to get established as a client before you move. That way, if you need emergency care during or just after your move, you will not have a hard time getting in.

If you plan to move to Collier County, you can check out our previous post about dog licensing in Collier County.

VETERINARIANS NEAR MARCO ISLAND

Here are some of the many veterinarians to choose from near Marco Island:

Affordable PetCare Hospital
3875 Tamiami Trail E

Naples, FL 34112

Angel Animal Hospital
15505 Tamiami Trail N

Naples, FL 34110

Animal Hospital of Bonita
8830 Emerald Isle

Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Bay Ridge Veterinary Hospital
7700 Trail Blvd Ste 109

Naples, FL 34108

Brian Monk, DVM
2531 2nd Ave. NE

Naples, FL 34120

Crossroads Veterinary Clinic
5987 Pine Ridge Rd

Naples, FL 34119

Davis Animal Hospital
7345 Davis Blvd #1

Naples, FL 34104

Golden Gate Animal Clinic
1550 40th Terrace SW

Naples, FL 34116

Harborside Animal Clinic
3148 Davis Blvd

Naples, FL 34104

Marco Veterinary Hospital
1842 San Marco Rd

Marco Island, FL 34145

Marquesa Veterinary Clinic
13040 Livingston Rd #6

Naples, FL 34105

North Collier Animal Clinic
10895 Tamiami Trail N

Naples, FL 34108

North Naples Veterinary Hospital
2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd #1110

Naples, FL 34109

Pebblebrooke Animal Hospital
15215 Collier Blvd # 312

Naples, FL 34119

The Animal Medical Hospital of Naples
11980 Tamiami Trail N

Naples, FL 34110

Town and Country Animal Hospital
1828 Santa Barbara Bl.

Naples, FL 34116

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Moving To Marco Island? Dog Licensing Information For Collier County

March 2, 2019 By Dawn

Marco Island residents with dogs should know that last October, the Collier County Domestic Animal Services began offering a three-year dog license to coincide with the three-year rabies vaccinations. There is also a one-year dog licence to coincide with the one-year rabies shot. The cost to license a dog is nominal and it depends on the age of the pet and also whether they are spayed or neutered.

Dog License Pricing Information For Collier County Residents

One-Year Dog License

Spayed/neutered dogs with one-year rabies vaccine: $15
Puppies less than one year old with one-year rabies vaccine: $15
Unaltered dogs older than one-year old with one-year rabies vaccine: $60

Three-Year Dog License

Spayed/neutered dogs with three-year rabies vaccine: $35
Unaltered dogs older than one-year old with three-year rabies vaccine: $180

Where Do You Purchase A Dog License In Collier County?

You can purchase a dog license at either of two Domestic Animal Services locations in Naples or Immokalee.

Domestic Animal Services
7610 Davis Boulevard
Naples, FL 34104
Monday through Saturday (10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)

Domestic Animal Services
405 Sgt. Joe Jones Rd.
Immokalee, FL 34142
Tuesday through Saturday (12:30-4:00 p.m.)

You can also get a dog licence from any of the participating licensing agents. These dog licensing agents are allowed to charge a fee for the service, but it can’t be more than $3.

Participating Licencing Agents

Affordable PetCare Hospital
3875 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL 34112

Angel Animal Hospital
15505 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110

Animal Health Oasis
6720 Lone Oak Bl., Naples, FL 34109

Animal Hospital of Bonita
8830 Emerald Isle, Bonita Springs, FL 34135

Bay Ridge Veterinary Hospital
7700 Trail Blvd Ste 109, Naples, FL 34108

Bonita Veterinary Hospital
4155 Bonita Beach Rd SW, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Brian Monk, DVM
2531 2nd Ave. NE, Naples, FL 34120

Camp Bow Wow
3382 Mercantile Ave, Naples, FL 34104

Cat Care Clinic of Naples
4735 Santa Barbara Blvd # 1, Naples, FL 34104

Crossroads Veterinary Clinic
5987 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL 34119

Davis Animal Hospital
7345 Davis Blvd #1, Naples, FL 34104

Faithful Friends Animal Hospital
5052 Pope John Paul II Blvd Ste. 116, Ave Maria, FL 34142

Golden Gate Animal Clinic
1550 40th Terrace SW, Naples, FL 34116

Harborside Animal Clinic
3148 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL 34104

Humane Society Naples
370 Airport-Pulling Rd N., Naples, Florida 34104

Marco Veterinary Hospital
1842 San Marco Rd, Marco Island, FL 34145

Marquesa Veterinary Clinic
13040 Livingston Rd #6, Naples, FL 34105

North Collier Animal Clinic
10895 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34108

North Naples Veterinary Hospital
2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd #1110, Naples, FL 34109

Olde Naples Animal Wellness Center
349 14th Ave S, Naples, FL 34102

Pebblebrooke Animal Hospital
15215 Collier Blvd # 312, Naples, FL 34119

St. Francis Animal Clinic
5380 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34108

The Animal Medical Hospital of Naples
11980 Tamiami Trail N, Naples, FL 34110

Town and Country Animal Hospital
1828 Santa Barbara Bl. Naples, FL 34116

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Routine Air Conditioner Maintenance Saves Money

February 24, 2019 By Dawn

Routine maintenance on your air conditioning unit can save you a ton of money. It might seem like a hassle to have a maintenance person come out and spend between $100-$150 a year for the service, but it’s important. If you’re going to be moving into a home on Marco Island for the first time, be sure to get this done at least once a year. It’ll save you money on emergency repairs, replacement costs, and even on energy costs.

All HVAC equipment should be inspected professionally at least once a year. This includes heaters, heat pumps, mini-splits, and standard air conditioning units. Twice a year is even better, but minimally, shoot for once a year.

What Happens During A Yearly Maintenance Visit

Preventative maintenance will cost around $100-$150 a year. Some of these contracts even offer discounts on emergency repairs too. Annual maintenance will reduce the chances that you will ever need an emergency visit though

Yearly maintenance visits will include:

Cleaning the indoor unit’s coil
Cleaning the outside air conditioner unit’s coil
Cleaning air filter
Sometimes, replacing the air filter
Cleaning the condensate pump
Repairing parts as needed
Replacing parts as needed

Benefits of Annual Maintenance For The Homeowner

The benefits of having an annual maintenance are significant. They include the following:

Increased dependability
Greater efficiency
Cost savings on the energy bill
Catching problems early
Less expensive repairs
Longer unit life
Reduction in failure probability

[Photo via Flickr | CC 2.0 | Samms Heating and Air, Plano Air Conditioning Repair Company ]

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

4 Important Questions To Ask At An Open House

February 24, 2019 By Dawn

Open houses can be a lot of fun, and they are also an opportunity to ask the property’s owner or agent some important questions. Don’t miss out on the chance to get this information directly from the source. If you have questions or hesitations, a simple conversation can clear things up quickly. While on the spot, you might not be able to come up with the questions that will help you make your decision, so here are four important questions to ask when you go to a Marco Island open house.

Find out why the owner is moving.

The owner’s reason for moving could be related to work or a change in the family structure, but it could also be something related to the neighborhood. Let’s say the neighbor tells you they want to move because there are just too many children around. If you like things quite, that might be a reason to not choose the home for your own. If you have kids and want them to have a vibrant childhood of playing outside, suddenly the owner’s reason for selling might be your reason for buying.

Ask about other offers.

It is perfectly acceptable to ask the owner of their agent (or both) if there has been other offers already submitted. You may be competing with other buyers. Now, the owner might not give you a straight answer, but the agent is really not permitted to make things up. They obviously don’t have to disclose the terms of any offer though. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask, especially if you seem to be having a good conversation with the owner and they seem to like you. Many times people will go to great efforts to try to sell their home to someone that they would like to see living in it. Help them realize you’re perfect for the home by telling them how you see yourself in it.

Ask about special association costs.

Generally association fees will be fully disclosed in a listing. For example, you’ll be able to easily learn of HOA fees from a listing. But you might also find out if there are any other association costs planned in the near future. Will the HOA expect you to go in on a new community pool that they just voted on, but that aren’t currently included? Is there any pending litigation within the community? Do they have a copy of newsletters from the HOA so you can know more?

Will any furniture or appliances be included?

It’s easy to get listings confused when you’re seeing so many potential homes. While at an open house, ask to see any furniture or appliances that will be included in the sale. Let’s say the grand piano will be included in the sale. Ask to see it while you’re there. Check out the dishwasher and appliances, make sure there aren’t missing racks or other things that make the appliance less valuable than it seems on paper.

Also, if you see something there that you like, such as a custom table or artwork that seems to have been made just for that location, it’s OK to ask if it can be included in the sale. Many times, they will be happy to sell them at a large discount, especially if they are moving in order to scale down for retirement.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Florida First & Florida Advantage Help Qualify You For Down Payment Assistance Programs

January 30, 2019 By Dawn

If you’re in the process of buying a home and need down payment assistance, you should know that the State of Florida might have a program that can help you finally become a homeowner! Thanks to Florida Housing, there are a handful of programs to help homebuyers. Two of the most utilized and appreciated programs that people in Florida use are the Florida First program and the Florida Advantage program. Both of these can help buyers automatically qualify for down payment assistance programs.

Florida First

The Florida First program offered by Florida Housing is a means to get a low 30-year fixed-rate on your first mortgage, if you’re a qualified borrower. It isn’t a down payment assistance program, but it does automatically qualify you for one of the state’s down payment assistance programs. So, Florida First is a wonderful place to start, if you need down payment assistance. Plus, it may qualify you for an outstanding affordable mortgage.

Florida Advantage

The Florida Advantage program offered by Florida Housing can help you if you intend to buy a home in an area designated as rural. Keep in mind, the definition of rural is quite broad. So, it is worth looking into, even if you don’t think the home you’re interested in qualifies as rural. This program helps self-help buyers or buyers with at least one disabled family member. To qualify, you also need to be at or below 80% of AMI adjusted for household size. If you do, you also would qualify for the Florida Assist down payment assistance.

Are You Buying a Home on Marco Island?

Considering buying a home on Marco Island? We’d love to help you find one that’s just right for your needs.

In the meantime, you can also easily explore Marco Island real estate by price:

Also, to stay current on the latest listing and community events, connect with your Marco Island area expert on Facebook or Twitter!

Wind-Resistant Trees For Marco Island

January 30, 2019 By Dawn

Palm trees thrive in areas like Marco Island because of their resistance to wind. Even the most wind-resistant trees might have difficulty standing up against a strong storm like Hurricane Michael, but some species, like palm, are better at others at fighting off strong winds.

If you’re looking for a tree that is not a palm for your Marco Island property, consider Geiger trees (Cordia sebestena). The orange geiger (pictured above) is the most well-known of these trees. They feature showy, deep orange flowers.

Mango trees (Mangifera indica) are also an excellent choice for win-resistance. Both of these trees will stand up well against strong winds. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) trees also survive strong winds quite nicely. Also consider Live Oak (Quercus virginiana) and Mimusops (Manilkara roxburghiana), because they grow well in Marco Island and can survive strong winds, especially if they aren’t over pruned.

Really, making sure that you don’t over prune trees is one of the easiest ways to help any tree that can grow on Marco Island stand up against strong winds. Don’t wait years in between pruning only to over prune them. Prune them using healthy pruning techniques every year. If you’re not sure about pruning for wind-resistance, you can also consult with a professional arborist.