Homestead portability

Portability is the Florida rule that lets a homeowner transfer some or all of the Save Our Homes assessment benefit built up on a previous homestead to a new homestead, softening the tax jump that a move would otherwise bring.

It applies when you give up one Florida homestead and establish another within the timeframe the state sets, and the transferable amount is capped by law. Whether and how much applies to your situation is determined by the county Property Appraiser.

For a buyer moving within Florida, portability can materially change the tax estimate on the new home, so it's worth raising with the appraiser rather than assuming the new assessment starts from scratch.