Although it sounds lovely buying a home in a hot climate, especially if you are sitting here reading this at the height of winter, there are some considerations you should be aware of. Not all homes are designed and built as they should be, so take the time to understand what the potential pitfalls might be before laying down a sizeable deposit or signing a Purchase Agreement. In other words, look before you leap!
Building Materials
Not all building materials work as well in some climates as they do in others. For example, anything but concrete homes may not be ideal if built in paths where hurricanes historically travel. Can you imagine a log home in the path of a storm as powerful as some we have seen in the last decade? Whether or not storms are becoming more violent due to global warming isn’t an issue here, but the sad fact remains, hurricanes are definitely on the rise. If a structure was built prior to current building codes, steer clear of them or plan to build new structures up to current codes.
Also, how are those structures insulated? If the climate is hot throughout the year, you need to ensure it is adequately insulated and that a strong enough AC unit is installed if opting for central air. You can check out size-appropriate air conditioners on All Things HVAC so that you can install the right unit per square footage. This is an absolute must if you don’t want to suffer from heat exhaustion.
Direction Home Is Facing
On some days or evenings, it might be comfortable to open windows to allow fresh air to flow through your home. Take the time to research wind flow patterns in the area where you intend to buy property. If you are building a home, all the better. You can angle the direction your home is situated on your property to allow for sufficient airflow on those cooler days.
Also, remember not to plant any vegetation that would hinder that airflow. Shade trees are nice, but not if they obstruct those cooling breezes you so enjoy. Plant shade trees and vegetation at the sides of your home, or far enough away so that they don’t interfere with airflow when you finally get those few days you can bear the temperatures with open windows.
Adequate Protection for Specific Weather Patterns
As mentioned, some hot climates are directly in the path of hurricanes more times than not. South Florida has been learning this the hard way over the past 10 to 15 years. Many major storms have gone over or skirted the coast. You need to ensure you have storm shutters installed if you live in an area like this, but if you are in a hot, dry climate, you’ll want adequate landscaping to minimize dust on breezy days.
While hot climates offer amazing benefits, like never dealing with snow again, there are also considerations important to your buying decisions. Always ensure you have the right size AC unit installed and that you have adequate insulation to keep that lovely cool air in your home. For many prospective home buyers, AC is the first thing they look for, so make that a priority as well.
