Worried about buying in coastal Florida? Many prospective buyers hesitate after hearing warnings about hurricanes, high insurance rates, and restrictive HOAs. But according to David McKenna, Real Estate Advisor with Engel & Völkers in New Smyrna Beach, those fears often mask the reality of one of Florida’s most desirable markets.
McKenna, who brings decades of executive leadership experience and now serves on the City’s Economic Development Advisory Board as well as Chair of the New Smyrna Beach Police Foundation, sees these misconceptions every day. His professional background and civic involvement give him a unique vantage point on what it’s really like to live—and invest—in New Smyrna Beach.
“Buying a home near the coast doesn’t automatically mean high risk or impossible insurance,” McKenna explains. “Very few people actually live directly on the water. Communities like Sugar Mill Country Club, located inland, offer the ideal balance between lifestyle and peace of mind.”
Construction quality also makes a difference. Concrete block homes and smart elevation designs lower risk and stabilize insurance costs. With the guidance of local insurance experts, coverage becomes a matter of planning rather than an obstacle to ownership.
“When people hear ‘HOA,’ they think ‘restrictions,’” McKenna says. “But in golf course and gated communities, HOAs actually protect the quality of the neighborhood. They’re preserving the standards that attracted buyers to the community in the first place.”
Rather than being burdensome, local HOAs often help sustain property values and maintain the luxury feel of communities like Sugar Mill Country Club.
Florida is often portrayed as a boom-or-bust market. New Smyrna Beach, McKenna stresses, is different.
“It’s definitely not a boom or bust market here. Never has been,” he notes. Limited land availability combined with steady demand from retirees, golf enthusiasts, and vacation-home buyers has kept the market stable for decades.
“Property values don’t decline here the way people fear,” he adds. “They consistently appreciate because people aren’t just buying sunshine—they’re buying into a community with staying power.”
Yes, coastal living requires maintenance—but McKenna encourages buyers to keep it in perspective.
“You’re living in a coastal community, so yes, salt air affects exterior paint and HVAC systems need more regular attention,” he explains. “But it’s no different than snow removal in the Northeast, tornado prep in the Midwest, or wildfire risk out West. Every region has its realities. Here, those costs are predictable and manageable.”
Beyond the myths, McKenna highlights what truly makes the community stand out:
“New Smyrna Beach offers more than property—it offers a lifestyle,” McKenna says. “It’s a community that continues to grow while preserving its small-town character.”
Misconceptions about coastal Florida living can cloud judgment, but the reality of New Smyrna Beach is stability, opportunity, and lifestyle. As both a seasoned business leader and real estate advisor, McKenna’s perspective underscores why families, retirees, and investors continue to choose this coastal city as home.