This should get you started.......
#1 - Waste/Garbage - You don't have to call the company to switch the account into your name. The service is paid for the year in the tax bill for the property so once the property changes ownership, the account will reflect the correct name.. Waste/recycle cans should be on site-if not, they'll deliver new cans. http://www.leegov.com/solidwaste/residential/garbagecompany
Cape Coral : https://www.wm.com/us/en/myhome
Lee County: http://www.leegov.com
#2 - Utility companies - before you leave please obtain from your current provider (water, electric), a report showing your timely payment history for the past 12 to 24 months. Providing this may well save you having to pay $100 deposit for new service for water and $100 for new service for electric. (cost subject to change) Also, all utilitiy companies will run a credit check.
Water Utilities:
Fort Myers : http://www.leegov.com/utilities https://www.sfwmd.gov/
Cape Coral:
https://www.capecoral.net/department/financial_services/customer_billing_services.php
Pine Island/Matlacha: http://www.pineislandwater.com/
Electric companies-here are the two main companies:
LCEC services Cape Coral, parts of N. Ft. myers https://www.lcec.net/
FP&L https://www.fpl.com/
Internet: https://www.centurylink.com/ https://www.xfinity.com
Satellite services: https://www.dish.com/ https://www.directv.com/
#3 - Make sure your Realtor, i.e. ME, provides you with a contact list of the current vendors maintaining the home you are buying. i,e, pool service, lawn mowing, pest control/lawn treatments, alarm/security company etc. These vendors know the house and that knowledge is useful to the new homeowner and you may wish to retain their services especially if you won't be occupying the home for a bit of time..
#4 - Warranties! Items like electric hurricane shutters, pool heaters, HVAC units, roofs, security systems MAY be transferrable. A few may carry a small fee to transfer the warranty.
#5 - The day of close is when the buyer must vacate the property unless other arrangements have been made and so the utilities should be in your name and turned on.
#6 - Yes, we have alligators - they live mostly in freshwater - please do not feed them
#7 - Yes, we have mosquitos - they live off of us so that answers the feeding question.
#8 - Change your drivers license, register your car or boat https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/license-plates-registration/renew-replace-registration/.
#9 - Voting. Now, the DMV may say that you can register to vote the same time you register your car. You may take this option if you wish. However, having worked the polls and been a poll watcher for a number of years, please just register with local election board. Here's the link for the office of the Lee County Elections Supervisor of Elections-an informative website with much information including, how to register to vote and explains what is a closed primary state - which Florida is. https://www.lee.vote/
Voter registration for Overseas Voters and Active Military Duty Service members: https://www.lee.vote/Military-and-Overseas-Voters/How-do-I-register-to-Vote
