Licensed Florida real estate brokerage
Moving to florida: a local agent's advice in Hollywood, FL
Moving to Florida in Hollywood and the surrounding area, with a licensed real-estate professional. No obligation.
Hollywood's typical home was built around 1969, according to the Census, and that single fact explains most of the early snags for people moving here: insurance quotes that stall, flood questions, and uncertainty about which part of town to look at. Much of the housing stock is one-story concrete-block ranch homes from the 1950s through the 1970s, with a large inventory of mid- and high-rise condominiums along the beach and the eastern corridors, plus newer master-planned construction to the west. Census data also shows most homes here are owner-occupied, so the process is mainly about buying, with rentals as a way to try an area first.
A licensed real-estate professional, either at Premier Real Estate Group Inc or an agent we refer you to, will contact you by phone or email. We help you compare Hollywood areas by commute, housing type and amenities, and sort out insurance, flood and association steps before you commit. The consultation is free and carries no obligation.
Hollywood sits on the Atlantic, and salt-laden breezes reach well inland. Homes within a mile or two of the Broadwalk and the Intracoastal take the most punishment, so inspections should look at garage doors, gate motors, hinges and locks as well as roofs. Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, so the roof, wind-rated openings and impact protection matter far more here than cold-weather concerns. Older block houses often still have original garage doors and openings, which can affect wind-mitigation credits and insurer interest. Dense beachfront condo towers add association approval and building-reserve questions, and the homestead exemption comes after you close. Each of these is worth checking before you make an offer or sign a lease.
What to know in Hollywood
Insurance before closing
Insurers commonly ask for a four-point inspection (roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC) on older homes, and Hollywood's median build year of 1969 puts many homes in that group. Roof age and condition are often the deciding factor, so plan to bind coverage before closing and confirm requirements with your insurance agent.
Wind-mitigation credits
A licensed inspector can document roof-to-wall connections and impact-rated openings on the uniform mitigation form (OIR-B1-1802), which may support premium credits. Older block homes with original openings may qualify for fewer features than newer construction, and results vary by insurer.
Flood zone and flood insurance
Flood zones come from FEMA maps. A lender generally requires flood insurance in a Special Flood Hazard Area, and homes outside one can still flood. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage, so check the zone and elevation near the coast and the Intracoastal.
Condo and HOA approval
Condo towers, gated communities and newer western subdivisions are widespread in Hollywood, and associations may require buyer or tenant approval and estoppel certificates. Ask early about the approval process and read the governing documents and budget. We can't promise any approval or timeline.
Condo milestone and reserve reports
Florida requires a milestone structural inspection for condo buildings three stories or taller once they reach 30 years, and a structural integrity reserve study for their associations. With many older beach and eastern-corridor towers, ask for both reports before you commit.
Salt air and wear
Salt spray corrodes garage door hardware, gates and exterior locks near the beach, and humidity builds lint and mold in dryer vents and ducts. Add these to your inspection list for any home you tour remotely.
Homestead after you move in
The homestead exemption is not automatic. As a permanent resident you apply to the Broward County property appraiser, generally by March 1 of the year after moving in. Homestead portability applies only to a prior Florida homestead.
How we help
- Compare areasWe compare Hollywood areas such as Hollywood Beach, Downtown Hollywood, Hollywood Lakes and Hollywood Hills by commute, housing type and amenities, so you can narrow your list before visiting.
- Video tours and remote showingsIf you can't visit yet, a licensed professional can arrange video tours and remote showings and point out what to look for, from roof condition to garage doors and openings.
- Rent first or buy firstWe talk through the tradeoffs of renting first or buying first. Condo and HOA rules can apply to tenants as well as buyers, so we look at them either way.
- Insurance basicsWe explain how four-point inspections, wind mitigation and flood coverage fit into a Florida purchase, and when to speak with your insurance agent.
- Association timelinesWe help you gather association documents and understand the approval steps, estoppel certificates and milestone or reserve reports for condos, so there are fewer surprises.
- Post-closing remindersWe remind you about the homestead exemption filing with the county property appraiser once you've closed.
Florida rules and paperwork in Hollywood
A Florida real estate license is valid statewide, and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate, under the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), regulates licensees; verify any license on the DBPR site. Expect a brokerage relationship disclosure, a purchase contract or lease, seller disclosures including the residential flood disclosure, association documents and approval applications, and title and closing documents. At closing, Florida's documentary stamp tax on the deed is 70 cents per 100 dollars of the price, the documentary stamp tax on a new mortgage note is 35 cents per 100 dollars of the amount financed, and the nonrecurring intangible tax on a new mortgage is 2 mills (0.2%). Who pays each item is set by the purchase contract and is negotiable. You can estimate these with the free Florida Doc Stamp & Closing Tax Calculator at /tools/florida-closing-costs. Florida has no state personal income tax, but property taxes and insurance vary by county and coastal exposure. Confirm details with the county property appraiser, the Florida Department of Revenue, and a Florida attorney or CPA.
Premier Real Estate Group Inc is a licensed Florida real estate brokerage (broker license BK3314523). Verify at Florida DBPR.
Timing and next steps
In Hollywood, demand tends to rise in late spring and early summer as owners prepare for hurricane season, and again from November to April when seasonal owners return and open long-vacant homes and condos. Statewide, relocation inquiries peak in winter and early spring. Insurance inspections and association approvals can take time, so start them early. Call (888) 440-3766 or send a request with the form on this page for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Areas we can help you compare include Hollywood Beach, Downtown Hollywood, Hollywood Lakes, Hollywood Hills, Emerald Hills, Boulevard Heights, Driftwood, Liberia, Beverly Park, North Beach, Oakwood Hills and Washington Park, as well as nearby Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Cooper City.
Moving to Florida in Hollywood: common questions
- Do I need flood insurance for a Hollywood home?
- A lender generally requires it if the home is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area, and homes outside one can still flood. Standard homeowners policies generally exclude flood damage, so check the flood zone and ask your insurance agent. Florida sellers must also give buyers a flood disclosure.
- Why does the age of Hollywood homes matter for insurance?
- Census data puts the median year built around 1969, and insurers commonly request a four-point inspection on older homes. Roof age and condition often decide whether coverage is offered, so confirm requirements with your insurance agent.
- What should I ask about before buying a Hollywood condo?
- Ask for the association's governing documents, budget, and any milestone inspection and structural integrity reserve study reports. Florida requires these for buildings three stories or taller, with the milestone inspection due once a building reaches 30 years. Also ask about buyer or tenant approval.
- When do I apply for the homestead exemption after moving?
- If the home is your permanent residence, apply with the county property appraiser, generally by March 1 of the year after you move in. The exemption reduces taxable value and caps assessment increases under Save Our Homes.
- Can an agent help me from out of state?
- Yes. A Florida-licensed professional can arrange video tours and remote showings anywhere in Florida. Out-of-state agents generally can't perform brokerage services here without a Florida license, though referrals between brokerages are common.
Tell us about your move — Hollywood
Where you're headed, when, and whether you'll buy or rent. A licensed real-estate professional will contact you.
Licensed brokerage
Premier Real Estate Group Inc
Broker of record Maxim Bohadana, Florida broker license BK3314523
(888) 440-3766