[Wing-nut2]

I received this from a real estate agent i know. Just passing it on.


October saw the highest number of Villages MLS listed homes closed in the HISTORY of MLS! What a month in The Villages for MLS agents.

If you are considering selling your house, you should do it NOW! Why? Because if someone buys your home and closes by 12/31/2026 they qualify for the newly passed property tax benefit. Here is how it breaks down-

If you qualify and close by 12/31 and file your exemption is $150,000
In 2028 is rises to $250,000
If you do not make the deadline you have to wait 5 years to fully qualify.
If you are thinking about selling and can make it happen quick, do it!

If you are thinking about buying get closed by 12/31 as well

[Normal]

That’s certainly a loaded question.

If you are already a resident, there is no rush. You already have prequalified for the exemption. Home prices have still been dropping steadily. I would say be wise with your purchase. It doesn’t hurt to rent and be a resident.

[asianthree]

Don’t think it’s a loaded question…if your plan to buy within the next 18 months. Buy something now otherwise wait for 5 year tax kick in. One can always buy PV then sell when you need something bigger

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Wing-nut2

I received this from a real estate agent i know. Just passing it on.


October saw the highest number of Villages MLS listed homes closed in the HISTORY of MLS! What a month in The Villages for MLS agents.

If you are considering selling your house, you should do it NOW! Why? Because if someone buys your home and closes by 12/31/2026 they qualify for the newly passed property tax benefit. Here is how it breaks down-

If you qualify and close by 12/31 and file your exemption is $150,000
In 2028 is rises to $250,000
If you do not make the deadline you have to wait 5 years to fully qualify.
If you are thinking about selling and can make it happen quick, do it!

If you are thinking about buying get closed by 12/31 as well

Wrong, it’s impossible to get the homestead exemption by 12/31/26. The deadline for applying for that was 3/1/26. Between now and 3/1/27 one can get the homestead exemption starting 1/1/27. Anyone buying a home and closing now is out of luck until the 5 year wait period ends.

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Normal

You don’t have to buy to become a resident and automatically qualify for the exemption whenever you wish.

Wrong. It’s impossible for any resident, brand new or long time, who doesn’t already have the homestead exemption, to get the exemption before the 12/31/26 drop dead date. All homestead applications submitted between now and 3/1/27 are for the homestead exemption starting 1/1/27, which is too late to get in before the 5 year waiting period. If you don’t believe me, contact the Sumter County Appraisers office, the place where one applies for the homestead exemption. Most certainly, don’t make the mistake of relying on information from a real estate agent.

[Normal]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Wrong. It’s impossible for any resident, brand new or long time, who doesn’t already have the homestead exemption, to get the exemption before the 12/31/26 drop dead date. All homestead applications submitted between now and 3/1/27 are for the homestead exemption starting 1/1/27, which is too late to get in before the 5 year waiting period. If you don’t believe me, contact the Sumter County Appraisers office, the place where one applies for the homestead exemption. Most certainly, don’t make the mistake of relying on information from a real estate agent.

I believe you are confusing the homestead application deadline with the requirement to be a Florida resident on or before January 1 2027? If you become a resident after the date, you must wait 5 years to become eligible for the exemption.

Homeowners can sell their home in Florida say in March of 2027, live in an apartment for 2 years, then turn around and buy another home and still get the homestead exemption. It is because of course they are residents before the January 2027 deadline.

You don’t have to go all in and buy a home to get the eligibility, you have to be a resident before 2027 to be eligible for future homestead exemptions. This was written in to bring stability to the change in budgets.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Normal

I believe you are confusing the homestead application deadline with the requirement to be a Florida resident on or before January 1 2027? If you become a resident after the date, you must wait 5 years to become eligible for the exemption.

Homeowners can sell their home in Florida say in March of 2027, live in an apartment for 2 years, then turn around and buy another home and still get the homestead exemption. It is because of course they are residents before the January 2027 deadline.

You don’t have to go all in and buy a home to get the eligibility, you have to be a resident before 2027 to be eligible for future homestead exemptions. This was written in to bring stability to the change in budgets.

From what I have read, this is the correct interpretation. You don't have to apply for homestead prior to 12/31/26, you just have to have FL residency by this date to take advantage of the property tax abatement without waiting 5 years. But yeah, probably a good idea to check with the county.

[villagetinker]

Now the next thing to consider is the FED possibly raising the interest rates again, loans will go up, house prices will go down, and will the tax savings handle the offsets?

[Topspinmo]

They may have had record sells, but the market been overloaded for 2 years or more and IMO will continue. Just got approval from Leesburg to build 40 thousand more houses. IMO it you sell resale in short time consider yourself lucky, lucky, lucky..

[tophcfa]

Originally Posted by Normal

I believe you are confusing the homestead application deadline with the requirement to be a Florida resident on or before January 1 2027? If you become a resident after the date, you must wait 5 years to become eligible for the exemption.

Homeowners can sell their home in Florida say in March of 2027, live in an apartment for 2 years, then turn around and buy another home and still get the homestead exemption. It is because of course they are residents before the January 2027 deadline.

You don’t have to go all in and buy a home to get the eligibility, you have to be a resident before 2027 to be eligible for future homestead exemptions. This was written in to bring stability to the change in budgets.

Wrong and wrong again. Don’t believe what you might think is correct, check the facts with the Sumter County Appraisers office. Trust me, I already have. I just became an official Florida resident, after owning a home in the Villages for 11 years, but I can’t get the homestead exemption until 1/1/27. The facts don’t lie. You need to apply for the homestead exemption by March 1st of the year to get the exemption for that year. All applications between now and 3/1/27 are for the exemption beginning 1/1/2027. After 3/1/27, one would be applying for Homestead starting 1/1/2028. I really wish I was wrong, no doubt I would like to sneak in before the 5 year waiting period. Unfortunately, DeSantis had amended #3 written to only benefit residents with the homestead exemption when the question came up for voting. Everyone else is subject to the waiting period.

[PJ_Smiley]

When we moved to Florida many years ago we filed a Declaration Of Domicile In Florida. It has to be filed with the county clerks office.

A Declaration of Domicile is a sworn, public record that a person designates Florida as their permanent home. When properly completed and recorded in the official records of the circuit court in the county of residence, it helps establish Florida as the individual’s domicile for purposes such as homestead exemptions, jury service, and Florida residency for tax and license considerations. It does not automatically sever ties to another state, but it provides a clear, legal declaration of intent to make Florida the primary home.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Normal

You don’t have to buy to become a resident and automatically qualify for the exemption whenever you wish.

You must be a Florida resident WITH A HOMESTEAD PROPERTY by December 31, 2026. Does this mean a nonresident buyer who purchases a home and becomes a Florida resident by December 31, 2026 is eligible for the higher homestead exemption? Do not trust the words of a real estate agent. Keep in mind, AI does not always supply the correct information. As suggested, check with the County Tax Office before purchasing a home.

[Sparky99]

Taxes are a factor, not your only factor. Counties can raise the rate for the taxable amount above $250k. We will pay.....

[twoplanekid]

I purchased my new house on 11/24/25 and then received a homestead exemption on my 2026 real estate tax for this house. I have been a resident of Florida for over 9 years.

[Mrfriendly]

Currently, I am not a Florida resident and have owned a home in The Villages for over five years. My taxes are $3600 in Sumter County. A special maintenance charge annually and fire tax brings it up another thousand..
How much approximately would I save in taxes if I become a Florida resident? I don’t understand how the exemption is beneficial.