Thinking positive about Florida property

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Things are looking up in the Florida property market, with many positive signs for prospective buyers, it has been claimed.

The Florida Association of Realtors (Far) lists the excellent value for money currently offered by Florida property as one of its chief investment appeals, with price drops of over 20 per cent in the past year making it increasingly attractive, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

The investment outlook for the Florida property market is another good sign, according to Director of Far Dr Wayne Archer, who tells the newspaper it can be likened to "people being on the sidelines with full pads and helmets just waiting to jump back in".

Other elements which are cited as appealing to those considering a Florida property investment, such as a second home or holiday let, include the low mortgage rates available to buyers and the state’s popularity as both a migration and retirement destination.

Far is Florida’s largest trade association, with over 115,000 members state-wide.

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Brits number one tourists for Florida property in Orlando

Friday, September 11th, 2009
UK travellers are the biggest international market for tourism to popular Florida property destination Orlando, it has been claimed.

The Orlando Tourism Bureau believes guaranteed sunshine and plenty of family-oriented activities are the secrets behind the city’s success with fun-loving Brits seeking a Florida property holiday to remember.

Danielle Courtenay from the Orlando Tourism Bureau, said: "The UK market is actually our number one international market.

"Our British visitors come for about ten to 14 days and you can come year after year and never do the same thing twice […] all of those options mean that everybody travelling with you is going to have a good time."


The organisation could provide a boost for people who own Florida property as a holiday rental investment, as it is currently launching its new ‘Orlando makes me smile’ campaign.

The campaign is designed to increase awareness of Orlando as a holiday destination, placing emphasis on the good value it offers tourists, as well as cementing its reputation for fun and excellent hospitality.
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Brits abandon summer washout for Florida property sun

Friday, September 11th, 2009
Many UK residents holidaying at home have missed their summer sun, which could prove good news for Florida property owners.

Research from the Orlando Tourism Bureau has found that 57 per cent of Brits who holidayed at UK destinations this year were disappointed by the weather, after promises of a long hot summer from the Met Office proved premature.


Frances Tuke, spokeswoman for the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said: "For destinations like Orlando, which is situated in the sunshine, that has to be a good thing.

"You can’t actually go wrong with Florida in terms of a holiday experience. They’ve got fantastic beaches, all the wildlife and dining experiences and you’ve got the theme parks."

In another potential boost for Florida property owners with a place in the sun, the Orlando Tourism Board survey also discovered that only 29 per cent of this year’s home-holidaying Brits intend to do the same next year.
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Florida property recommended as solid investment

Monday, August 3rd, 2009
People looking to build an investment portfolio should consider Florida property when in the market for a new acquisition, it has been claimed.

House-hunters looking for cut-price bargains in the repossession market should take a tip from the savvy investors currently snapping up Florida property as soon as it comes onto the market, according to Property Frontiers.

Head of Research at the firm Christopher Chadd commented: "Florida is home to a multitude of tourist attractions including the world famous Walt Disney parks.

"People from all over the globe continue to visit the state and it remains one of the most visited places for US citizens taking their annual holidays."

He added that Spanish property has also become synonymous with holiday home bargains, although investors looking to turn a profit can afford to be selective and take their time as supply currently outstrips demand.

The latest IME index from Tinsa revealed that Spanish property prices have fallen by 10.1 per cent in the past 12 months, which could present an excellent opportunity for aspiring investors.

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Nutcracker Suite for Florida property lovers?

Friday, July 31st, 2009
Twinkle-toed Florida property hunters may find late August is the perfect time to go in search of their dream home.

Dance enthusiasts and Florida property hunters alike are set to be bedazzled by ballet’s hottest talents as the Annual International Ballet Festival of Miami, presented by the Miami Hispanic Ballet, pirouettes into town, according to whatsonwhen.com.

A world-class array of ballet classics and modern dance innovations, all created under the watchful eye of choreographer Pedro Pablo Pena, will be performed at venues across the city, the website reports.

The festival may prove perfect for ballet fans eager to watch someone else do the leg work at the end of a long day Florida property hunting.

The festival commences on August 28th and continues throughout September, providing plenty of opportunities for Florida property-seeking ballet fans to be swept away by the Nutcracker Suite or take part in one of the company’s famous ballet workshops.

Mr Pena has been presented with the key to the city in recognition of his festival achievement, with September 26th designated ‘El Dia de Pedro Pablo Pena’ each year in Miami-Dade County.

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Florida property market on the up?

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009
Florida property has continued to perform strongly in June, the latest figures have shown, with prices rising for the tenth consecutive month.

Newly-published statistics from the Florida Association of Realtors also showed that sales of Florida property are showing improved year-on-year comparisons, which will come as good news to those who have recently invested in a Florida property.

Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic Advisors, told Tampa Bay Online: "The turnaround in the housing market appears finally to be here and indeed may be gaining some speed."

The monthly figures showed a 13.8 per cent rise in the amount of Florida property sold in June this year compared to May, according to the website.

Meanwhile, sales of Florida property rose 28 per cent in June compared to last year’s levels, with 15,850 homes being snapped up by Florida property investors, as opposed to 12,339 units in the same month in 2008.

Holidays to the US, including those to Florida property, are the third most popular choice among UK-based tourists, according to recent figures from the Office of National Statistics.

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Hemingway home offers Florida property ideas?

Monday, July 27th, 2009
A little literary inspiration may prove helpful to some Florida property seekers on the hunt for their Sunshine State home.

Bookworms and Florida property-seekers alike should consider a trip to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, where one of America’s most famous lived and wrote for ten years between 1931 and 1941.

The luxury home features a 65-foot swimming pool, installed by the author himself at a cost of US$20,000 (£12,123), which remains the largest in the Key West region.

Other statement pieces which may give Florida property hunters expensive ideas include original French chandeliers and Hemingway’s vast art collection, which features a replica of the famous cat sculpture gifted to the author by Picasso.

However, anyone with cat allergies may want to skip their trip around the posh Florida property, as 60 descendants of the author’s original feline companions still inhabit the grounds.

Recent figures from the Office of National Statistics place US destinations, such as Florida property vacations, as the third most popular choice among holidaying Brits.

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Florida property rental proves lucrative?

Friday, July 24th, 2009
Real estate investors with Florida property are surviving the recession by renting out houses from their portfolios, it has been claimed.

Florida property rentals in the West Palm Beach area form one of the top two most lucrative homes-for-hire markets in the US alongside celebrity-haven Hollywood, according to a forthcoming article in Forbes magazine.

According to Thomas Francis, in his New Times blog: "You pay $500,000 (£303,721) for a structure with four apartments that generate $1,200 each in monthly rent, which comes to an annual total of $57,600.

"Take away a five per cent allowance for vacancies and eviction costs and 10 percent for property management fees. That leaves $49,000."

He added that Florida property buyers should also take factors such as property taxes, capital improvements and maintenance costs when working out the numbers for their future Florida property empire.

Anyone investing in Florida property will be living in one of the 67 counties that make up Governor Charlie Crist’s constituency.

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Travel agent reports rise in Florida property bookings

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009
Florida property is fast becoming a hot ticket for UK residents seeing the benefit of holidays to long-haul destinations, it has been claimed.

While penny-pinching Brits are cutting back on expenses at home, they are not prepared to sacrifice their annual holiday, according to travel agent On the Beach, with many electing to flying to Florida property to secure a holiday bargain.

Marketing director at On the Beach Alistair Daly commented: "Many holidaymakers can see the value in travelling further afield.

"Whilst the airfare may be slightly higher, this additional money can be saved […] with £1 now worth over 1.65 dollars, we have seen a rise in bookings to Florida."

According to recent figures from the Office of National Statistics, holidays to US destinations, such as Florida property, remain the third most popular choice among British tourists.

French property and Spanish property remained the most popular choice of vacation destination among UK citizens.

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Florida property has lowest tax?

Friday, July 17th, 2009
Anyone considering investing in a Florida property for their retirement may be interested to know that the state is considered to have a relatively low tax rate.

Near-retiree Catherine Keller, 60, has been searching for the cheapest state in which to spend her retirement and has found that so far nothing beats Florida property for a low cost of living, according to New Jersey Business News.

Ms Keller told the newspaper: "Tax implications are really important to me […] you can adjust your way of living, but once you’ve settled, you can’t change your tax situation.

‘It would make sense to live someplace and not pay state taxes […] then maybe I could take an extra vacation every year.’

There are currently nine states that do not charge residents broad-based personal income tax, of which Florida is one.

Ms Keller is also keen on a Florida property for her retirement because of the state’s warm weather and the value for money offered by properties there, the newspaper reports.

British golfer Justin Rose is reported to be a big fan of Florida property, having moved to a special golfing community within the sunshine state, according to the Telegraph.

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