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Originally Posted On: https://exprealty.com/us/fl/
Florida Real Estate Market
Florida Real Estate Overview
While Florida has a uniformly warm and tropical-like climate, the state spans enough land that there are major differences between certain areas. The homes you find for sale in Miami may be very different from those in the panhandle, with everything in between available in various cities across the state.
Many cities in Florida – like Spring Hill, Lehigh Acres, and Palm Bay – have been listed as some of the best cities to explore in the Florida real estate market. This is true for people searching for their own primary residence, a vacation home, or a property to rent out to tourists and snowbirds throughout the state. Given Florida’s long history as a destination for tourists and transplants alike, any property in the state is likely to yield a good return down the line.
Florida Real Estate Market
The median home value in Florida real estate market sits at around $378,000, though this can vary greatly by location. For example, the average price in Miami is over $500,000, but in the capital city of Tallahassee, it is $262,000. Factors such as proximity to the beach can influence the prices of real estate in Florida. However, Floridians benefit from low property taxes and absolutely no income tax, which can often make it easier to afford the Florida home of your dreams.
Single-family homes make up 61% of the overall Florida real estate market, but don’t be surprised to find other styles of homes for sale near the coasts. Popular beachfront cities like Fort Lauderdale or Panama City have increasing amounts of high rises and condominiums that can be attractive to many buyers and renters alike.
Real Estate In Florida Features
You may notice some common features amongst homes for sale in Florida. Almost none of them will have a basement because Florida sits at or below sea level in most places, and a below-ground story would sit below the water! In fact, much of the architecture in Florida’s real estate market is crafted with Florida’s location and climate in mind. While you won’t see many fireplaces, nearly every home will have central air conditioning to keep you cool through Florida’s high temperatures.
If you’re moving from another state, you may notice another idiosyncrasy on Florida home listings: a “Florida room.” This is akin to a sunroom or a conservatory, but is often called a Florida room because of its unique use in Florida. When it’s too hot to spend time outdoors, these rooms offer the ability to feel closer to nature without leaving the comfort of your air conditioning.
Schools in Florida
Anyone planning to buy real estate in Florida who has children, or may in the future, will wonder about the quality of the schools. With 76 school districts throughout the state, there is a variety of educational merits to be found, but many offer elite levels of education, and Florida rarely falls below the nation’s averages when it comes to education.
The top public school system in Florida is the Wakulla County School District, headquartered in Crawfordville. WCSD is made up of four elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one charter school, making it relatively small. However, students at these schools consistently outperform national averages in tests like the ACT, with the district routinely earning an “A” grade from the Department of Education in Florida.
Gilchrist County School District is another small district in Florida, with a total enrollment of 2700 students. But that small group of students boasts a high school graduation rate of 90% and extremely high proficiency in areas like math.
Florida is also a leader in school choice for K-12 students and their families, with various programs allowing students to enroll outside their local district. This opens up other public schools, private schools, home schooling, and charter schools to Florida’s youngest residents to ensure the best education possible.
Colleges in Florida
In addition to K-12, Florida real estate has access to many colleges and universities. The 12 public universities in the state have the third-lowest tuition in the country, with an average total cost well below the nation’s as well. Alongside those 12 public options for higher education are 28 community colleges and 53 private colleges and universities. Every Florida resident lives within 50 miles of a community or state college or university, making education accessible to all Floridians.
Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Real Estate
What is the nearest commercial airport in Florida?
With over 120 million passengers flying into Florida each year, it’s no wonder the state has 131 public airports, with 24 of them being international. Miami, Orlando, and Tampa are the largest airports, but many are throughout the state. Florida’s size means that driving from city to city is not always easy, so choosing the commercial airport nearest your destination is recommended.
What major landmarks/attractions are a must-see in Florida?
Most people visit Florida for one of two things: the beaches and the theme parks. Walt Disney World is the largest theme park, but the Orlando area is also home to Universal Studios, LEGOLAND, and SeaWorld. Busch Gardens and a series of similar parks are found throughout the rest of the state. The most popular beaches are Miami and Destin, but there are at least 189 formal beaches you can visit, depending on which body of water you want to see.
Florida real estate also has access to other attractions such as the Kennedy Space Center, Everglades National Park, Daytona 500 International Speedway, and the St. Augustine Historic District.
When does the school year start and end in Florida?
Most school districts in Florida start in early to mid-August. The last day of school is most often at the end of May.
What is winter like in Florida?
Florida has the mildest winters in the Continental United States, with average lows ranging from 65 degrees in Key West to 41 degrees in Tallahassee. Daytime lows range from 62 in Tallahassee to 77 in Miami. January is the coldest month, but it has not snowed in the state in decades.
Is all Florida real estate near a beach?
While Florida has over 1,000 miles of coastline, not every city in the state is considered coastal. Large areas like Orlando are actually in the middle of the state and can be as much as a 2-hour drive from the nearest beach. However, most inland areas are near lakes and other bodies of water.
Living in Florida
For many people, investing in Florida real estate is like giving themselves a permanent vacation. The state has roughly 1,350 miles of coastline, spanning the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean and offering all the sand and sunshine you could ask to see. If you somehow get bored of your local beach, it’s easy to travel to a variety of tourist destinations or even set sail on a cruise to the nearby Caribbean islands. It’s no wonder that so many people choose to move to Florida real estate each year!
Weather in Florida
Each beach in Florida has a distinct lifestyle – Miami tends to be more fast-paced, while the Keys are notoriously laid back – but some things are constant. Over 200 sunshine-filled days per year mean that residents can enjoy the beach year-round or choose to spend their days boating, fishing, or paddle boarding. You’re likely to see people wearing flip-flops and t-shirts to even high-end establishments as Florida is a permanent vacation for many people.
Things to do in Florida
If you don’t want to spend the day on the beach, there is plenty else to do. Some of the world’s largest theme parks are centrally located in Orlando, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. You can also enjoy a historical tour in St. Augustine, take in Art Basel in Miami, or catch a game from one of Florida’s three NFL teams.
Another benefit of living in Florida real estate is the access to amazing food. Fresh produce, especially citrus, is available year-round. Avocados, oranges, and watermelon are local to the area and nearly always available. You’ll also get fresh seafood whenever you’d like- some restaurants literally catch the fish to order! Floridians eat well, whether in a big city or a small town. This, along with world-class shopping and a huge number of arts in the state, make Florida real estate high on the list for anyone who enjoys the finer things in life.
Florida’s Economy
Florida residents enjoy the state’s lack of income tax. Workers in the state do not owe any tax on their personal income, which leaves more room in the budget for enjoyable activities and basic needs. This is also why retirees are drawn to Florida, where their Social Security and other benefits won’t be taxed. Florida real estate’s affordability is a major draw as one of just eight states with no personal state-level income tax.
Job market in Florida
Thanks to high levels of tourism and multiple corporations being headquartered in Florida, the state has a fast-growing job market and offers many high-wage jobs across industries. Leisure and hospitality are the most popular areas to work in, but professional and business services are growing quickly, leaving Florida with low unemployment compared to the rest of the country. Other popular industries are aviation, aerospace, life sciences, manufacturing, and defense.
Unlike some states where a single city center drives the economy, Florida’s job growth is spread very evenly throughout the state. This is partly because all of Florida real estate is near a beach or other major tourist attraction- the Walt Disney World parks alone have roughly 80,000 employees at any given time! Besides Disney, many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Florida thanks to the business-friendly environment, with low tax rates and unionization numbers. Residents can choose from large employers like Publix Super Markets, AutoNation, and Darden Restaurants as they look for work.
