Markets within the county
West Palm Beach is the county seat and its most urban market, with Clematis Street and Rosemary Square downtown and established single-family neighborhoods south of it.
Palm Beach, the island, is among the most expensive addresses in the country, with ocean and lake estates along South Ocean Boulevard and North County Road.
Delray Beach is built around Atlantic Avenue, one of the most successful walkable main streets in Florida, with a mix of older single-family homes and newer condos.
Boca Raton has a broad market, from established neighborhoods east of I-95 to large country club communities.
Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens have a more suburban pace, with extensive golf and boating infrastructure.
New construction
New construction is active in several parts of the county. Builder contracts are written by the builder and are not the standard Florida Realtors and Florida Bar forms most resale purchases use, so have a real estate attorney review one before you sign.
What to check before you buy
Property tax rates vary by municipality across the county, so compare the actual tax bill on a home, not a county average.
Much of South Florida sits in FEMA flood zones. Ask for a flood zone determination and get insurance quotes before you set your price, because flood and wind coverage can change the true monthly cost of a home more than a few thousand dollars on the price.
Florida's Homestead Exemption lowers the taxable value of a primary residence by up to $50,000, and the Save Our Homes cap then limits yearly increases in its assessed value to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. File with the county property appraiser by March 1 of the year after you buy.
Search Palm Beach County with Swipe Home
Swipe Home shows current listings with their full list price, and learns what you want from the homes you save and pass on: views, layout, building type, price and street. When you are ready, you choose one agent, or let the app match you with the one whose closed sales best fit what you have been saving.
General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Confirm details with your agent, attorney, insurer or the county property appraiser.