A slender strip of cities carved out from the wild landscape of the Everglades, the South Florida metropolitan area stretches along the Atlantic coast from northernmost West Palm Beach through Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Boca Raton to vibrant, notorious Miami, earning its “Gold Coast” moniker from the marriage of glamorous urban centers to unbroken miles of pristine beach and the ritzy lifestyle of its residents.
Served by five interstate highways, three major airports, and the world’s busiest cruise ship port, South Florida welcomes a constant flow of travelers from around the globe, both as a destination hotspot and a gateway to the Caribbean. Snowbirds famously flock to the area for a winter respite, drawn to its tropical climate, sprawling beaches and golf courses, and sparkling street life.
In addition to tourists, South Florida is likewise attracting more and more permanent residents. Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties experienced rapid growth in recent years, surpassing a collective population of six million with no sign of slowing down. The vast majority of new residents hail from Caribbean and Latin American countries, all of whom contribute towhat some are calling South Florida’s cultural renaissance.
Many South Florida homes draw design elements from traditional Spanish- and Mediterranean-style architecture, including stucco exteriors paired with clay-tile roofs, stately arched entryways, and wrought-iron trappings.
Interiors often feature open floor plans to encourage airflow, and plenty of emphasis is put on lush landscaping, pools, and outdoor living areas. Naturally, residential spaces in South Florida are as diverse as the community, varying from Spanish Revival colonials to luxury high-rises, Art Deco beachfronts to city apartments, and copious retirement housing.
South Florida is currently the nation’s eighth largest metropolitan area, and with its numbers swiftly climbing, competition is steep for home buyers, particularly first timers. Mid-market homes fall between $300,000 and $600,000, and the number of these listings is dwindling.
Meanwhile, as single-family homes are spending less time with a For Sale sign in the yard, luxury condos are experiencing a lull in market activity, driving down prices in some of the nation’s priciest cities.
South Florida’s characteristically warm, humid weather persists year-round, and many homeowners celebrate the tropical climate by investing in their outdoor spaces. Landscaping and pool service companies are extremely busy during peak spring and summer months, so we encourage scheduling installations, renovations, and other work well in advance to ensure prompt service at the lowest rates.
Likewise, arranging a pre-season checkup with an air conditioning professional can help prevent a system failure during the hottest part of the year, when HVAC companies are in high demand.
South Florida weathers its fair share of hurricanes and tropical storms, so most window and door companies offer hurricane shutters and impact-resistant windows and doors, which are designed to protect against damage from wind, rain, and airborne debris. Should a natural disaster occur in your area, know the contact information of a qualified disaster restoration company. Quick action is key to preventing further damage and returning your home—and your life—to normal.
Working with a licensed, experienced contractor will save you time, money, and frustration. We verify every company we promote and guarantee their work, so you can hire an A-Rated Best Pick contractor with confidence.
All Best Pick companies must meet the insurance and license requirements of the areas they service, and they must also carry general liability insurance.
Licensing requirements in Florida vary depending on service category.
Most trade service contractors, such as electricians and plumbers, are required to hold either a state-issued license or a county-issued license that has been registered with the state. In general, contractors who provide home improvement services, like painters and flooring companies, will hold a license for each county they serve, although larger companies who operate across multiple areas have the option to carry a state-issued general contractor license.
Certain services, including housecleaning, landscaping, appliance repair, and energy audits, do not require a license. For more information, visit the website of your state or local government.
What I like about Best Pick Reports is all of the advice it gives. When you're calling a company, you may not know what they're talking about, but with the educational information in this book, I was more prepared than ever. The information is so useful.
