Owning
The unglamorous-but-essential side of Florida homeownership. Once the keys are yours, it's about keeping the house healthy in a demanding climate — roof upkeep, the famously clog-prone A/C condensate drain, getting real value out of a home warranty, and closing up a seasonal place before you head north. Short, practical maintenance notes for Naples-area owners and snowbirds.
The Canadian Snowbird Tax Trap: the IRS 183-Day Rule & Form 8840
Wintering in Naples can accidentally make you a U.S. tax resident. Here's how the IRS Substantial Presence Test really works (with the math), and how Form 8840 — the Closer Connection Exception — keeps your worldwide income out of the U.S. tax system.
Read →Protect Your Naples Home From Deed Fraud While You're Away
Absentee and international owners are prime targets for deed (title) fraud in Florida — vacant homes, no mortgage, out-of-country mailing address. Here's how it works, and the free, five-minute Collier County Property Fraud Alert that warns you the moment anything is recorded against your name.
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Owning Home Warranties in Florida: Worth It for Naples Buyers? (2026)
What a Florida home warranty covers, how Chapter 634 protects you, typical costs, the common traps, builder 1-2-10 warranties on new builds, and who should buy one.
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Owning Roof Maintenance & Roof-Age Rules for Naples Homeowners (2026)
How to extend a SWFL roof's life, Florida's roof-age insurance rules, the 25% roof rule, wind-mitigation credits, and when replacing pays off at resale.
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Owning Closing Up a Seasonal Naples Home: A Snowbird Checklist (2026)
How to safely close up a Naples seasonal home for the summer and hurricane season — AC and humidity, water, pests, storm prep, insurance, and home-watch.
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Owning Clogged AC Drain: Florida's Most Common AC Problem (How to Fix It)
A clogged AC condensate drain is the #1 AC issue in Naples. Here's how to spot it, clear it in about 15 minutes with a wet/dry vac and vinegar, and prevent it — with a video and diagram.
Read →Have a Naples question we haven’t covered?
Ask and I’ll answer it personally — and maybe turn it into the next post.