As storms aproach us everyone reads my post on how to compare storm surge to the elevation of a house. After the storm we can can compare the measured data to what was predeicted.

Now, the Cedar Key tide station had pre storm ‘normal’ tides running about 1′ above what was predicted, both high and low tide. Idalia happened to produce the max storm surge right around the ordinary low tide for the area. We had the best case scenario happen. The max storm surge hit at low tide. Storm surge is, by definition, the water ABOVE what would have otherwise been, had there not been a storm. BUT NOAA used the Mean High High Water level when issuing predictions and reports. For Cedar Key, the MHHW at the sensor is +1.54′ NVAD 88. Looking at the graph from the tide station we can see that the actual measured water level maxed out at ABOUT +8.5′ NAVD. Thus, the measured water level at Cedar Key at this tide station was ABOUT 8.5′. The measured surge was 8.5′-1.54′ = ~ 7′. If your first floor around this tide station was lower than +8.5′ then you were wet. And this does not account for locally higher water or wave action. Now Cedar Key is a long way from where the Idalia made landfall but it’s the closest tide station on the right hand side of the storm. The max height of the storm surge even there may not have been at this location. I suspect that when FEMA issues the storm report it will be higher.

The Realtors Association released the housing sales metrics for July 2023 and for Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens we see a similar story. The sales of single family homes in July were good with all the metrics up and the months supply of inventory down from 3.2 to 2.4 months. IMO, when this is around 3 months we have a nice balanced, stable market. In fact we did something in the office recently we had not seen in a while. It was our listing and we had multiple offers that went to a “highest and best” scenario.

Condos and Townhouses are another story. Total sales numbers are down but at slightly higher prices per unit. The months supply of inventory is up to 2.5 but we with fewer new listings comeing onto the market.

Click HERE for the 2024 Palm Beach County Tax Rates.

This is a link to the TOTAL millage rates.

This is a link to comparison of tax bills in the north county.

There are 2 basic classes of taxes, ad valorem, those determined based upon the taxable value of a property, and non ad valorem, which are line items that are the same for each property type REGARDLESS of the valuation. We will be looking at ad valorem taxes which are those determined as a % of your assessed value. This % is called the millage rate and is set each year. So, let’s look at a few of them.

This is only part of the picture though as many municipalities have moved things which they are allowed to out of the ad valorem calculations and into the non ad valorem charges. This, I took a lok at where in the area the TOTAL Bill is the lowest. Jupiter