Where To Buy A Vacation Home In Florida – Updated Guide

The state of Florida is undoubtedly one of the top real estate markets in the country. The region offers plenty of advantages for those interested in buying a property, such as warm weather year-round and a broad coastline with astonishing landscapes.

In addition to that, acquiring a vacation home in Florida offers other advantages like a relatively mild property tax rate and opportunities to earn passive income by renting the property.

In this article, you will discover where to buy a vacation home in Florida.

Buying a Home in Florida – General Overview

When it comes to location and landscape, Florida offers plenty of options for those interested in buying a vacation home. More often than not, buyers tend to concentrate in the southern portion of the state (e.g. Palm Beach, Miami, the Keys, etc.).

Nonetheless, there are opportunities for those interested in something not so close to the coastline, including areas in central Florida such as Orlando, Kissimmee, and Lakeland.

Given the touristic nature of the state, Florida is a top choice for rental property investment. In this sense, the sunshine state’s shoreline offers plenty of small to medium-sized beach towns, where occupancy rates tend to be high while competition is low. Plus, most vacation rental destinations tend to have a high occupancy rate year-round, so off-season will not be a bother for those intending to rent their vacation homes.

Regardless of the place where you decide to buy your vacation home in Florida, remember to seek guidance with a local expert attorney to assist you throughout the process.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach is a resort town located in Bay County, right by the Gulf of Mexico coast. The city is one of the favorite destinies for those who are looking for inexpensive vacations regardless of the season.

The city area has an annual average of 320 sunny days and has more than 24 miles of white sand beaches. Also, there are excellent attractions, such as St. Andrews Park and Pier Park, where visitors who crave swimming, snorkeling, or surfing will be more than satisfied.

The median listing pricing in the city is around US$ 325,000 and has an estimated rental income of around US$ 20,000.

Kissimmee

Located in Central Florida, Kissimmee is the largest city in Osceola County. The place is the ideal spot for families who love theme park experiences such as Disney and Universal.

The city is only 22 miles from Orlando, offering the opportunity for both those who want a family vacation home and those interested in renting out the property to other travelers. The median listing price is around US$224,000, and the estimated rental income is around US$20,000.

Theme parks aside, the region offers a diverse landscape with various types of neighborhoods, lively nightlife, golf courses, and several public parks.

Plus, the city is located only a one-to-two hours’ drive from the coastline, so you can enjoy the beauty of both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

Palm Coast

Palm Coast is located in the northeastern part of the state, being the most populous city of Flagler County. The region offers a unique mix of golf resorts and thrilling nature landscape, with broad areas destined for preservation.

The city has several inhabitants who commute to other locations in Florida, such as St. Augustine, 25 miles to the north, and Daytona Beach, 30 miles to the south. The median listing price is around US$ 220,000, and the estimated rental income is around US$ 33,000.

Undoubtedly, the region is the best choice for those passionate about nature and wildlife. There are plenty of options of eco-tours on water and land, where visitants get astonished by the contact with dolphins, manatees, and various species of birds.

Fort Myers

Known as the gateway to Southwest Florida, Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County. The median listing price is around US$199,000, and the estimated rental income is around US$24,000.

The city is one of the favorite tourist destinations within the state. Located a couple of hours’ drive from Miami, the place allows tourists to discover and enjoy all the lush beauty from nearby beaches and islands, such as Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, and many more.

A destination filled with nature and historical estates, and warm weather all year-round, Fort Myers is a well-suitable vacation spot even in the off-season.

Major attractions include the winter estates of inventor Thomas Jefferson and tycoon Henry Ford, the Manatee Park, and the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium.

Miami Beach

Last, we have one of the most desired tourist destinations not only in Florida but worldwide as well. Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, located on natural and man-made barrier islands between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay.

The area is an ideal place to invest in vacation real estate, known for its market stability, especially when it comes to luxury housing. The median listing price is around US$ 519,000, and the estimated rental income is around US$61,000.

Acquiring real estate in Miami Beach may be a strategic move, eliminating the need for booking at luxury (and expensive) hotels, enabling vacation home-owners more flexibility.

Renting out a property in the city is never an issue, not even in the off-season, given the number of ever-growing travelers that come to the city year after year.

Do You Want to Buy a Vacation Home in Florida? – We Can Help

Being assisted by a local Florida attorney is essential to save you from unnecessary stress and time-consuming procedures. Our lawyers are well-versed in any legal aspect concerning real estate transactions, so waste no time.

Get in touch with Jurado & Farshchian, P.L. today by calling (305) 921-0440 or emailing Romy@jflawfirm.com to schedule a consultation.