A 1950s plan built around water

Developer Jack Marqusee planned Margate in the 1950s on former farmland west of Pompano Beach, and it became a city in 1961. The city counts roughly 30 miles of canals within its limits, so a good number of single-family homes back onto water and many more are a short walk from it.

Living on a Margate canal

  • Canal banks can erode behind the house, and docks, sheds, or fences near the water may not have permits.
  • Some canal-side lots sit in flood zones, so a buyer's lender may require flood insurance.
  • Florida has required sellers, since October 1, 2024, to tell buyers about flood insurance claims or flood aid, such as FEMA help, tied to the property, and since October 1, 2025, about any flooding during their ownership.
  • Low spots in the yard and drainage toward the house tend to show up in inspection reports.

When the house is still in a late parent's name

A common Margate story: a parent bought the home new, lived there for decades, and died, and the deed has stayed in their name ever since. Nobody can sell it until someone has legal authority to sign.

Florida has two main probate routes. Summary administration is a shorter process available when the estate is worth up to $75,000, not counting exempt property, or when the death was more than two years ago. Formal administration covers most other estates and involves a court-appointed personal representative. A Florida probate attorney can tell you which route applies, and we can sign a contract that waits for the court.

If the taxes stopped getting paid

When a house sits in an estate, the property tax bill is easy to miss. In Florida, unpaid taxes lead to a tax certificate being sold on the property, and after enough time passes, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed. We can still buy. The unpaid taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, and a tax professional or attorney can help if a tax deed application is already underway.

Original-owner houses

Homes that stayed with one owner often have terrazzo under the carpet, jalousie windows, galvanized supply lines, older electrical panels, and a roof that insurers will not accept. A four-point inspection on a house like this usually turns up several items. We price those repairs into our offer, so no one in the family has to make them.

How the sale comes together

You tell us about the house, we see it in person, and we put a written offer in front of you. If you accept, a title company clears the title, pays off anything owed, and closes on the date you choose. If probate has to happen first, we time the contract to match.

Frequently asked questions

The house is still in my late father's name. Can I sell it?

Yes, after a court gives someone authority to sign, usually a personal representative in probate. The contract can be signed now, with closing set for after that happens.

Do you buy Margate homes on canals?

Yes. We review the lot, the flood zone, and any docks or structures near the water as part of our offer.

The property taxes have not been paid for a couple of years. Will you still buy?

Yes. Unpaid taxes and any tax certificates are paid from the proceeds at closing. If a tax deed sale is scheduled, contact us quickly.

Do you buy villas and condos in Margate?

Yes. We review the association's fees, rules, and any assessments, and we plan around any approval it requires.