The Shields Painting Difference: Perfection with Every Brush Stroke
Many painting companies in Florida rely on flashy marketing and big promises to try and attract new clients. But when it comes time to work, they fall short of their promises. This is often due to a lack of experience, qualified painters, and a drive to overachieve. At Shields Painting, we do things a little differently than other painting companies in Citrus County. We believe that a professional paint job should be as close to perfect as possible. Our goal is to leave you 100% satisfied, whether we're touching up an old residential paint job or performing a complex commercial project. It might sound simple, but we achieve that goal through honesty, hard work, beautiful results, and reasonable pricing.
As a family-owned and operated painting company in High Point, FL, we strive to provide personalized, professional, and friendly service. Shields Painting has been in business since 1968 for a good reason. Whenever possible, we go the extra mile to make sure our customers are happy. Unlike some of our competition, we want to know all about your house or business painting project: your vision, your preferences, your challenges, and your goals. When we understand your needs, we can present you with a fantastic final product - one that you're proud to show off to friends and neighbors.
At Shields Painting, we combine our extensive experience with time-tested, meticulous painting processes, resulting in the highest quality painting results around. As a painting contractor in Citrus County, we can take on a variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects in Florida.
A few of our most popular painting services include:
- Interior Painting
- Exterior Painting
- Residential Painting
- Commercial Painting
- Cabinet Painting
- Ceiling Painting
- Fence Painting
- Sign Painting
- MUCH More!
Our commercial, industrial, and residential painting contractors take the proper steps to protect your property and belongings while we work. Our team will clean up after ourselves, so your property is left clean and free of debris when we're done. After all, we think there's only one way to do a job, and that's the right way.
Painting Services

Eco-friendly & clean work area.

PDCA Certified Member.

Your Go-To House Painting Company in High Point, FL
Your home is a haven of relaxation and solitude. It is uniquely you - a place where you can express who you are through style and design. Whether you need interior touch-ups for your crown molding or a new exterior coat of paint, hiring a reliable painting contractor is the best way to get quality results.
At Shields Painting, we know how important it is to have a home that highlights your tastes and personality. That's why we offer an extensive array of residential painting services in Citrus County. As tempting as it might be to try a DIY paint job, without the proper skills and experience, there is a good chance that the results will turn out less than satisfactory.
High-quality painting requires skill, experience, and patience. If you're a homeowner who needs residential painting services but doesn't have the time, patience, or skills to handle the job, look no further than Shields Painting. We offer accuracy, precision, and longevity with each paint job we perform. Our customers choose Shields Painting for their home because they receive:
- Free Quotes with Detailed Project Breakdowns
- Affordable Pricing
- Expert Painting Contractors
- High-Quality Paint Products
- Combo of Traditional and Modern Techniques
- Well-Maintained Tools
- Unmatched Craftsmanship
- Friendly, Personalized Service
- Good Old-Fashioned Hard Work!
The majority of our house painting services come in two forms: interior and exterior.
Interior Residential Painting
As an interior painting contractor with decades of experience, our expert technicians have developed an interior painting process that maximizes quality and emphasizes customer satisfaction. We understand that interior painting goes beyond aesthetics. It protects your ceilings and walls and helps you sustain a healthier place to live for your family. When only the finest craftsmanship will do inside your home, Shields Painting is here for you.
Our seasoned team of painting experts and craftsmen is dedicated to respecting your space and providing you with the look and feel you're craving inside your home. Whether you bought a new house and want to make it your own or need minor touch-ups but have no time, Shields Painting is ready to tackle the job, no matter how small or large.
Unlike some painting companies, our interior house painters take the time to get the details right, every time. For instance, color is only one aspect of your interior paint job. The paint sheen or finish is just as important. Certain finishes are better for living rooms and bedrooms than in kitchens and bathrooms. We'll help you find the right finish and paint colors for your home, so you don't have to worry about touch-ups or repainting.
Some of our most popular interior house painting services include:
- Ceiling Painting
- Popcorn Ceiling Removal
- Living Room Painting
- Bathroom Painting
- Basement Painting
- Color Consultations
- More

Cabinet Painting
Citrus County cabinet painting deserves its own section on this page because it requires more time, skill, and quality paint than most sections of your home. If your home's cabinets are built into its woodwork, replacing them can be obnoxiously expensive. Compared to the cost of installing new cabinets, painting your kitchen cabinets is much more affordable.
At Shields Painting, we specialize in transforming old cabinets into new, gorgeous features that are just as usable as they are beautiful. Each step of our cabinet painting process is meticulous and thorough. And we'll take care of the entire job, from cleaning, prep, and sanding to priming, painting, and reassembly. This unique service lets you enjoy a brand-new look in your kitchen without having to go into debt by replacing your cabinets.
Whether your cabinets are new, but you want to change their color or you'd like to transition wood cabinets to a painted finish, Shields Painting has the expertise and experience to give you a new look you'll love.

Exterior Residential Painting
Your home - it's a place that not only keeps your belongings safe. It protects your family and loved ones, too. It's one of your largest investments, and like anything else of value, it should be protected. However, Florida weather can take a toll on your home's structure and paint, lowering your home's value and even putting your family at risk.
While it's true that a beautiful exterior affects your house's value, it shouldn't take thousands of remodeling dollars to make a positive change to your home. There's a fine line between reasonable pricing and top-quality painting, and that sweet spot is what Shields Painting aims for. If you want to transform how your friends and neighbors see your home, never underestimate the power of a professional paint job.
Our exterior residential painting services are designed to boost curb appeal, give your home a fresh look, and help it stand up to Florida's unique weather. But we provide more than that. When you hire Shields Painting for your outdoor painting project, you will enjoy peace of mind in knowing that your home is in truly capable hands. Our goal is to exceed your expectations and help bring out the best in your property, whether you need to re-stain your deck or remove old, peeling paint from your siding.
If you're on the hunt for the very best exterior painting contractor in High Point, FL, look no further than Shields Painting.
Some of our most popular exterior house painting services include:
- Vinyl Siding Painting
- Deck Painting and Staining
- Stucco Exterior Painting
- Wood Exterior Painting
- Porch Painting and Staining
- Soffit Painting
- Fascia Painting
- Window Painting
- Front Door Painting
- Thorough Painting Prep
- More

The Premier Commercial Painting Company in High Point, FL
When it comes to first impressions, your businesses' appearance plays an important role. Your commercial property's paint job factors into its overall aesthetics. A great-looking, well-maintained paint job can mean the difference between a customer walking in your storefront and passing by. Conversely, an old, worn-out commercial paint job can send the wrong message to prospective customers. If you can't take the time to keep up your property's appearance, why would a customer spend their hard-earned money on your products?
The same goes for your businesses' interior paint. Would you want to do business with a company that has peeling paint or unsightly crown molding? At Shield's Painting, our goal is to create a beautiful environment that your customers and employees will love inside and out. When you work with our business painters, you can rest easy knowing we treat your business like it were our own. We always clean up after ourselves and know that operations cannot come to a halt just because we're painting. As such, we'll work with your busy schedule to ensure the job gets done right the first time without disrupting your day-to-day commitments.
With decades of commercial painting experience, we know the demands of a commercial painting project necessitate a disciplined and focused approach from the start. Our team of business painters is committed to delivering quality, on-time results on every project, every time - no excuses

We offer professional business painting services to a variety of building types, including:

01
Industrial Painting
A high level of care and finesse are required to effectively paint an industrial property. At Shields Painting, we know that industrial paint jobs involve much more than aesthetics. That's why our industrial services are customized to your specifications, using industrial-grade materials that stand up to heavy-duty operations.
02
Retail Store Painting
Our commercial painters apply effective, yet appealing interior and exterior paint that stand up to the daily rigors of busy retail environments.


03
Small Business Painting
Do you own a restaurant franchise? Have a small "mom and pop" location that needs a fresh coat of paint? Shields Painting has the resources and reliability to efficiently get the job done the first time. That way, you can focus on serving your customers, not having your business repainted.
04
Healthcare Location Painting
From walk-in clinics to long-term care facilities, Shields Painting is sensitive to your patients' needs. We know you must protect your patient's privacy while maintaining productivity. Our approach to healthcare location painting centers around your schedule to avoid disruptions in care.


05
Apartment Complex Painting
Erase signs of wear and make your apartment complex or multi-family building a more desirable place to live with a stunning, professional paint job.
Florida's Most Trusted Painting Contractor
Shields Painting has been in the business since 1968. In a world where so much has changed, we are proud to uphold the ideals that make us successful: hard, honest work, getting the job done right, and excellent customer service. Providing you with trustworthy, quality work will always take priority over rushing through a project to serve the next customer. That is just not the way we choose to do business.
As professionals dedicated to perfection, we strive to provide a unique painting experience for every customer - one that focuses on their needs and desires instead of our own. Whether you need residential painting for your home or commercial painting for your business, we encourage you to reach out today to speak with our customer service team. Whether you have big ideas about a new paint project or need our expertise and guidance, we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Free Consultation
Latest News in High Point, FL
Panther Volleyball Announces 2022 Schedule
Sarah Duysenhttps://highpointpanthers.com/news/2022/6/15/panther-volleyball-announces-2022-schedule.aspx
HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University volleyball head coach Ryan Meek has announced the Panthers' 2022 fall schedule....
HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University volleyball head coach Ryan Meek has announced the Panthers' 2022 fall schedule.
It's here! ??????"It will be an exciting year for Panther volleyball!" -@HPUVBCoach We couldn't agree more, Coach!#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/ri1Wl8IWCF
— HPU Volleyball (@HPUVB) June 15, 2022
"Building a schedule is always one of the most time-consuming parts of the job. Balancing RPI needs as well as the best competition we can find to prepare our team takes time and effort and with this schedule we feel like we've hit on a great blend. We have fantastic RPI opportunities as well as home events which should get the Millis Center faithful fired up about this Fall," said Meek.
The 2022 schedule features matchups with defending NCAA National Champion Wisconsin, as well as Final Four participant Pittsburgh. Six other teams who qualified for the 2021 NCAA Tournament are also featured on the schedule, including Campbell, Fairfield, Howard, Marquette, Sacred Heart, and Texas.
"Our fans are going to get to see a 2021 Final Four participant in High Point when Pitt comes to Millis on Sunday, October 2. We've played at Pitt twice in the past few years and they were gracious enough to return this year. Seeing how they have continued to rise in the national rankings should give our players the confidence that there is no limit to the ascent if you do things the right way. Very rarely does a mid-major program like us get to host a Power 5 program, let alone a Final Four team, so we're excited for the opportunity to pack Millis for this match."
The home match against Pitt marks the first Power 5 opponent the Panthers have met in the Millis Center since November 2, 2019, when HPU played host to Florida State. High Point will also host James Madison on September 14th as their only other non-conference opponent on the home slate as their first match in the Millis Center.
HPU also faces top-tier talent on the road, traveling to Wisconsin for matches with Wisconsin and Marquette on September 4th before meeting Texas in Austin on September 16th.
"We also have matches at Texas and Wisconsin, two of the perennial top 5 programs in the country and two of the best home court environments in volleyball. Getting used to a raucous environment is something we need if we're going to win big matches on the road and I can't think of two better places to visit or prepare. We also get to take some players home on those trips and that's always fun to see purple in the crowd at these big schools!
We finish non-conference play with a mix of some of the top mid-major programs in the country. We fill our schedule with competitive matches and this year is no exception. Almost every team we play finished in the top 3 of their conferences in 2021. This should prepare us well for Big South Conference play."
Last season, the Panthers won the Big South regular season championship, finishing 15-1 in conference play. Top-seeded High Point fell in five sets in a back-and-forth match at Campbell in the Big South Tournament championship to end the 2021 season. HPU seeks its third straight regular season title and third tournament title.
"The Big South will be tough road again as we try to win our third straight Big South Conference Regular Season title. We play every team twice, home and away, which gives us a chance to play everyone at Millis and travel to every conference team as well. The Big South Tournament comes to Millis in November and we're determined to try to bring back the Big South Tournament trophy to High Point University, as well as the NCAA Tournament berth that comes with it. It will be an exciting year for Panther volleyball!"
#GoHPU
2022 MLB Partner Leagues Best of the Ballparks vote reaches finals
Ballpark Digest Editorshttps://ballparkdigest.com/2022/06/17/2022-mlb-partner-leagues-best-of-the-ballparks-vote-reaches-finals/
It’s Clipper Magazine Stadium (Lancaster Barnstormers) vs. Haymarket Park (Lincoln Saltdogs) in the finals of the 2022 MLB Partner Leagues Best of the Ballparks vote.This sets up an Atlantic League/American Association battle in the finals, and a David vs. Goliath story as well. Haymarket Park was our #27 seed and, thanks to upsets elsewhere in the bracket, managed to make it to the finals while only once facing a higher seed. Clipper Magazine S...
It’s Clipper Magazine Stadium (Lancaster Barnstormers) vs. Haymarket Park (Lincoln Saltdogs) in the finals of the 2022 MLB Partner Leagues Best of the Ballparks vote.
This sets up an Atlantic League/American Association battle in the finals, and a David vs. Goliath story as well. Haymarket Park was our #27 seed and, thanks to upsets elsewhere in the bracket, managed to make it to the finals while only once facing a higher seed. Clipper Magazine Stadium received the most votes in the Final Four round, following bracket competitor Truist Point (High Point Rockers), a bad-luck participant. So we move onto the finals, which run through June 22, midnight C.
We know from marketing stats that a third of our readers work in the baseball industry, so we’re tapping into that collective expertise. And we know from our research that a third of our readers sell to the baseball industry, so that expertise will be valuable as well. The remaining third–fans, media, government–will certainly have a different view on things as well. We can’t wait to see what our readers–whom we consider to be the smartest folks in baseball–say about the best of the ballparks.
Here’s our 2022 ranking of MLB Partner League ballparks. This is an extremely difficult list to seed: This list is a combination of former independent-league ballparks as well as a wide range of former affiliated facilities, ranging from Triple-A to Rookie ball. Honestly, there’s not a lot of difference between many of the ballparks in this competition, and there are plenty of arguments for most of these ballparks deserving a higher rating. Results of last year’s vote also played a large part in our seedings, as well as improvements entering this season. Occupying the top spot is Clipper Magazine Stadium, home of the Lancaster Barnstormers and last year’s champion. We don’t expect the voting to follow our seedings: our readers can be independent, and they share a love of ballparks and the fan experience.
Some things to note. First, you are allowed to vote multiple times, but you can only vote once per day. Second, you don’t need to fill out a full slate: partially filled lineups will count. A running tally of the vote will be presented at the bottom of this page in the form of brackets. Vote below:
Sarasota History With Jeff LaHurd: Hover Arcade was high point of bayfront development
Jeff LaHurdhttps://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/history/2022/06/20/jeff-lahurd-hover-arcade-city-hall-and-original-sarasota-bay-pier/7628961001/
Special to the Herald-TribuneIf you care to joust with City Hall, you hopefully search for a spot to park in or around First Street (since the City Hall parking lot is usually full), pass by the Jack Cartlidge statue “Nobody’s Listening” (not exactly a good omen), fill out a brief form and wait your turn to address the City Commission. Good luck.Prior to 1967, the good fight was conducted in the Hover Arcade at the foot of lower Main Street on the Municipal Pier.You drove through the sign...
Special to the Herald-Tribune
If you care to joust with City Hall, you hopefully search for a spot to park in or around First Street (since the City Hall parking lot is usually full), pass by the Jack Cartlidge statue “Nobody’s Listening” (not exactly a good omen), fill out a brief form and wait your turn to address the City Commission. Good luck.
Prior to 1967, the good fight was conducted in the Hover Arcade at the foot of lower Main Street on the Municipal Pier.
You drove through the signature archway between the two towers onto the pier, slipped into one of the designated spots, and addressed your grievances.
Of all the Sarasota historical buildings reduced to rubble over the years (and there have been many), the Hover Arcade was one of the most iconic.
Its roots extended to the Scot Colony which arrived in December of 1885. As colonist Alex Browning recalled, before the colony had completely broken up, younger members of the group signed on to build a dock into the bay near the site of their landing.
It was January 1886, and, in his memoirs, Browning, then nineteen years old, recalled, “The water was mighty cold, and we all became badly chilled.” He remembered wrestling with the sharpened pine logs, rocking them back and forth into the sand until they settled ever so slowly onto rock. It was the hardest work he had ever done but the young men stuck with it until the dock was completed.
It was a very rudimentary structure but offered a place for boats to tie up so passengers could come ashore without getting wet.
Harry Higel, “Sarasota’s indefatigable booster” who would develop the north end of Sarasota Key as Siesta Key, bought the dock and company store from the Florida Mortgage and Investment Company (sponsors of the Scot Colony) for $1,500 in the late 1890s.
A short time later, he offered it to the town for the same price but was turned down.
When a channel was dredged through Sarasota Bay in 1895, the John Savarese-owned Mistletoe began trips between Tampa and Sarasota, and Higel became his agent here.
Service began in October of 1895 offering trips from Tampa on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, returning to Tampa on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Locals could travel to Tampa and shop in larger department stores for merchandise not available in Sarasota. The steamship also helped grow the nascent fishing industry which had previously been able to offer only dried and salted fish. The Mistletoe carried ice, enabling fresh fish to be exported to Tampa and then distributed throughout the north.
A small restaurant operated by Dave Broadway was located on the north side of the pier and offered “Oysters any style, any time and coffee at Broadway.’” The oysters could be stewed, fried, baked, boiled, smoked and raw – any way you liked.
More Sarasota history
At the end of a long journey, ‘Little Scotland’ was nowhere to be found
In a 1967 interview with the Sarasota Herald, Broadway, then 85, recalled those years with fondness, noting that he could buy a barrel of oysters for $1.25, which, shucked, would net three gallons of oysters.
Enter the Hover brothers, Dr. William, who said that he would not present a bill for his services if it would render the patient or his family a hardship, Oscar, and Frank who came each winter with their families to Sarasota from Lima, Ohio. The group was known as the Hover Colony.
The family purchased the dock from Higel in 1911 for $12,500. They enlarged and improved the pier and added space for a few commercial enterprises.
On Feb. 13, 1913, The Sarasota Times devoted a front-page story to the plans the Hovers had for their proposed bayfront building, a site described as “just about the busiest place in town,” and added “nothing will add more to the appearance of the bayfront ...”
Constructed by the Bird Co. of Tampa, work was completed on the storied arcade in 1913. Reportedly costing $20,000, the neoclassical yellow brick building with its red tile roof was a welcome addition to the downtown section of the small community. The paper said a city many times the size of Sarasota would be proud to have such a beautiful building.
The following year, on July 2, 1914, The Sarasota Times reported that the Lyric Theatre opened in the Hover Arcade. Universal films were to be shown “each night at popular prices” while the following week an orchestra to add excitement to the silent flicks was expected to arrive.
Broadway expanded his business, leasing a section in the new arcade for a popular restaurant/soda fountain/ice cream parlor. After taking in a movie at the Lyric, theatergoers often stopped in on their way home, as did downtowners, and patrons of the Belle Haven Inn, also on the bay, a short walk south.
One of the city’s wants and needs was for a municipal pier and park. But as there was no bayfront property available for sale, they finally decided to purchase the Hover Pier and Hover Arcade for that purpose.
After announcing the city’s need for a “municipal building” at a City Council meeting on Jan. 17, 1917, a resolution was passed to purchase from the Hover brothers the much-improved pier and arcade for $40,000. The council was assured that they would have enough income from the current lessees to pay the interest on the bond that was necessary to raise the money.
Interestingly, the mayor of Sarasota that year was Harry Higel who had tried to sell the council the pier on two previous occasions. Once for the $1,500 it cost him, and a second time for the $5,000 even though he had made paid more than that amount in improvements.
On Feb. 8, 1917, The Sarasota Times announced that City Hall was moved from the Iverson Building to the Hover Arcade and occupied a section of the first floor.
Over the years the unique building and adjacent pier became a city landmark. Locals and tourists drove through the signature archway not only for city business but also to tie up their boats, charter fishing boats or to buy fresh fish when the fishermen arrived with their catches.
For a time, the chamber of commerce had an office on the pier, and during World War II the Enlisted Men’s Service Club was located in one of the buildings at the west end of the pier. Later, a diving board was installed, offering quick entry into the bay.
One city staffer recalled lazy summer days when he could drop a fishing line into the water from his office window.
By the end of the 1950s it was obvious that the quaint building could no longer serve the governmental needs of the burgeoning city. At the end of the decade, U.S. 41 was re-routed on dredge to the west of Gulf Stream Avenue behind the arcade, cutting off the downtown from Sarasota Bay.
Explaining a bond referendum in 1964, the city printed a pamphlet illustrating the needs of the city. In it, the arcade looking the worse for wear was labeled obsolete, an anachronism in a downtown Sarasota “going modern.”There was no movement to save it, not that that would have prevented its destruction, and the old building was demolished in September of 1967.
Graduating Twins from Mattituck Prepare to Split for College
Briana Bonfigliohttps://www.longislandpress.com/2022/06/20/graduating-twins-from-mattituck-prepare-to-split-for-college/
From attending each other’s backyard birthday parties as toddlers to walking the stage at their high school graduation, five sets graduating twins from Long Island have been classmates since preschool.The 10 graduating seniors are among 109 students in Mattituck Junior-Senior High School’s class of 2022 who will graduate on June 25 in a traditional indoor ceremony in the high school gymnasium.“One would suspect if you have five sets of twins in a class, some may have come in at the middle of t...
From attending each other’s backyard birthday parties as toddlers to walking the stage at their high school graduation, five sets graduating twins from Long Island have been classmates since preschool.
The 10 graduating seniors are among 109 students in Mattituck Junior-Senior High School’s class of 2022 who will graduate on June 25 in a traditional indoor ceremony in the high school gymnasium.
“One would suspect if you have five sets of twins in a class, some may have come in at the middle of the journey,” says David Smith, principal at Mattituck Junior-Senior High School, which teaches students in grades 7 through 12. “But this is a group that goes back to the day they started in the schoolhouse in Laurel.
The close-knit teens were 10th graders when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, putting off club activities, sports, and their usual hangouts. Though they saw each other less during this time, they’ve reunited in the 2021-22 school year.
Twins Isabella and Nicolette Cianfrogna and Julienne and Kathryn Schuch live down the road from each other. Their mothers met around the time they were born, and the four girls have been friends ever since.
“They were our first friends ever, and we always used to go on double play dates,” Isabella says. “We were always in the same classes and wore our own matching colors. Jules and I were the pinks, Nicolette and Kate were the blues.”
“Growing up together from the second we have been able to remember has been the greatest thing ever. It’s like having built-in sisters,” Julienne adds. “We always know we’re there for each other.”
All four young women participated in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club throughout high school, helping to educate younger students about the dangers of bullying as well as drug and alcohol use. Though they discuss serious topics, they say it’s been a great way to enjoy their time and bond with other students in the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District, as well as spearhead a mental health awareness initiative this year.
But being twins had its downsides too. The girls say it was easy for other students to compare – or confuse – them with their twin. “I didn’t like dealing with comparisons,” Nicolette says. “I like being my own person.”
As they enter college in the fall, the twins have a new chance to explore their individuality. Julienne will attend High Point University in North Carolina, while her sister, Kathryn, is going to Flagler College in Florida. Isabella will attend Hunter College in Manhattan, and Nicolette will go to Cortland University in upstate New York.
“Basically my whole life, I’ve been with my sister. The longest we’ve been apart is maybe two days,” Isabella says. “I’m going to FaceTime her as much as I can, and visit her.”
The graduating class of 2022 is Smith’s first as principal of the high school; he was previously the assistant principal. He says he’ll remember the students for their “leadership that they showed and how hard they worked with us to restore a lot of the traditions and to bring the energy back to school that Covid kind of hijacked.
“I’m really proud of what they’ve done,” he says. “I’m glad I went through this journey with them, and I’m going to miss them.”
Sign up for Long Island Press’ email newsletters here. Sign up for home delivery of Long Island Press here. Sign up for discounts by becoming a Long Island Press community partner here.
Buying a house in Florida: A how-to
David McMillinhttps://www.bankrate.com/real-estate/buying-a-house-in-florida/
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for Thinking about moving to Florida? Join the party. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the Sunshine State has ranked in the top spot out of all 50 states for ...
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here’s an explanation for
Thinking about moving to Florida? Join the party. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the Sunshine State has ranked in the top spot out of all 50 states for net migration — the number of people moving in versus moving out — for the past five years. With that many people looking for places to call their own, it’s important to arrive with a solid understanding of how to buy a house in Florida.
How to buy a house in Florida: A checklist
Florida covers more than 65,000 square miles, so you’ll need to think about what you’re looking for in a location. Do you want to be close to the Atlantic? The Gulf? Or would you prefer somewhere further inland? Are you after the cosmopolitan energy of Miami, or a calmer, retirement-style vibe? If you aren’t tied to a particular location for work, be sure to look at the entire state to compare a range of lifestyles and price points.
Cost of living
As you think about housing in Florida, be sure to consider how other necessities, like food, transportation and utilities, will affect your monthly budget. Use Bankrate’s Cost of Living Calculator to get a sense of how much money you need to enjoy life in Florida’s major metro areas. The range is wide — for example, the cost of living in Tampa and St. Petersburg is 18 percent lower than it is in Miami.
Best places to live in Florida
There are loads of cities, towns and villages to choose from, but you can start your search with Bankrate’s official best places to live in Florida. From fast-growing Tampa to remote worker–friendly Cape Coral, the top five markets offer a balance of great job opportunities and plenty of relaxing ways to enjoy your off-hours.
Your home buying budget
Florida offers something for just about every affordability level, so pick a spot where your budget can put you within reach of the type of home and neighborhood you want. As a starting point for your budget, aim to spend no more than 28 percent of your monthly income on your housing expenses. This will leave enough to cover other expenses, pay off debts and save for your long-term needs. Use Bankrate’s Housing Affordability Calculator to get a picture of your budget.
Home values
Home prices in Florida are doing exactly what they’ve been doing in most places around the country: rising fast. The median sales price in the state was $410,000 in April 2022, according to Florida Realtors — that’s a 21.8 percent increase over the same time the year before.
However, prices are hyper-localized, so research the specific cities you are considering. In Tallahassee, for example, median home prices are lower — $299,000 — and rising at a slower pace than in places like Naples, where the median sales price is more than $875,000.
Mortgage rates
As they have everywhere, mortgage rates in Florida have risen quite a bit since record lows at the onset of the pandemic. You’ll want to compare multiple lenders to see who can offer you the best deal. Keep in mind that you can find lower mortgage rates with shorter loan terms; 15-year mortgages, for example, have lower rates than 30-year mortgages.
The length of time isn’t the only factor that impacts your mortgage rate. How much you need to borrow is important, too. In most places, your loan will be considered a jumbo loan if you borrow more than $647,200. However, there are exceptions, in especially pricey areas. Be sure to consider loan limits in the area you want to call home. If you cross into jumbo territory, you may need to make a larger down payment, have additional cash reserves and/or pay a higher rate.
How much house can I afford in Florida?
In addition to the considerations that every prospective homeowner must think about in Florida, your unique financial situation will determine whether you should buy a house there. If you are confident that you will stay in Florida for enough time to break even on your closing costs, and you are in good financial condition to score a low mortgage rate, buying a house can be one of the smartest decisions you can make.
First-time homebuyers
If you have never owned a home before (or at least not in the past three years), your status as a first-time homebuyer can put you in the running for some valuable assistance that makes purchasing a home less daunting. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation — also known as Florida Housing — offers a range of first-time homebuyer programs.
Down payment assistance
Worried about coming up with a down payment to buy a house in Florida? There are also plenty of down payment assistance sources that can help you manage that big expense. And if you qualify as a low- or moderate-income borrower, there are also programs specifically designed to put home ownership closer to your reach.
Down payment calculator
The size of your down payment has major consequences: How much money you need to borrow, how much you’ll pay each month, how much interest you’ll pay over the lifetime of the loan. However, you don’t have to make a huge down payment. With good credit, you might be able to put down just 3 percent on a conventional loan or 3.5 percent on an FHA loan. Use Bankrate’s Down Payment Calculator to see how different amounts will affect your monthly budget in Florida.
No matter what kind of Florida home you want to buy, getting preapproved is the most important step. Preapproval will give you a clear picture of how much you can afford to borrow, and it can also help demonstrate to sellers that your offer is serious.
The mortgage offer you’ll receive from one lender will not be identical to what you’ll see from another. Banks, credit unions and mortgage companies all have different criteria that impact the terms they can offer borrowers. Start by considering the best mortgage lenders in Florida, and make sure to expand your search to include community banks in your area. Compare multiple offers to make sure you are getting the best deal.
A real estate agent is your trusted guide through the home buying process. Agents can help you understand the market, point you toward properties that meet your needs and prepare a competitive offer when you’re ready to make a move. Don’t just settle on the first one you meet. Ask around for referrals from friends or family members, and take a look at reviews from other borrowers about their experiences with agents you’re considering. Interview several, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Once you have a preapproval letter in hand and a savvy agent by your side, it’s time to get into the real fun: finding your new home. Online searching can give you a sense of what’s available in different neighborhoods and at different price points, but you can count on your real estate agent to know when new properties hit the market. And in Florida, you’ll want to be ready to move fast — properties go quickly in most places here. Your agent can help you understand how other homes in the area have sold so you can put together a competitive offer.
After your offer is accepted, it’s time to make sure that the property won’t wind up causing you loads of headaches and costing you loads of money. Find a home inspector — your agent will likely have some recommendations — to conduct a thorough review of the property. The inspection will identify any major issues with electrical wiring, plumbing, the roof, the HVAC system and other important areas of the property where problems could be hiding.
You will also need to get an appraisal to make sure that you have agreed to pay a reasonable amount for the home. Any lender will require an appraisal to protect their interests: If you default on the loan, the lender needs to know that it can recoup its losses.
The lead-up to closing day includes a lot of waiting and a lot of back-and-forth as your lender reviews your finances. Be responsive, and don’t make any major changes with your financial situation — leaving your job or opening a new credit card, for example. The timeline from your offer to closing day might take up to two months, so be patient. Just before closing you’ll perform a final walk-through, to be sure the property is in the state you expected. And then, be ready to sign a mile-high stack of documents and hand over a big check (certified or cashier’s; personal checks are generally not accepted). Now, take a breath and smile: You own a home in Florida.
FAQs
Disclaimer:
