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Florida is no longer just the place for snowbirds to flock to during the winter months. Florida’s real estate market has grown immensely since the Great Recession of 2008. Despite recurring economic uncertainty, Florida has a robust and thriving real estate market.
Florida has experienced a boost in property values due to increasing demands, with a median home value coming in at $378,104. The “Sunshine State’s” rental market is also attractive and presents the possibility of lucrative short-term rental capabilities and opens the door for many real estate investors.
Florida also has regulations that make it an attractive place for investing in real estate. The Florida Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and the Florida Homestead Laws are regulations unique to Florida that investors must know and can take advantage of when investing in properties in Florida.
Some Florida markets tend to appreciate faster than others, but the market continues to present opportunities for investing in real estate. Below are eight of the hottest markets for Florida investors.
Known as the “Venice of America,” Cape Coral tops our list as Florida’s fastest-growing real estate market. Forbes listed this planned community as the hottest housing market in Florida since its real estate market has recently caught fire. Cape Coral investors will find the area attractive to families due to its excellent public schools and plethora of outdoor activities.
Jacksonville’s population growth continues to outpace many other Florida cities because of its position as the home to four Fortune 500 companies. The most populous city in Florida also has a higher than average appreciation and is much more affordable than other markets on this list, making Jacksonville a safe bet for real estate investors looking to purchase condos, townhomes, apartments, or multi-family housing.
Orlando draws in crowds worldwide due to its renowned theme parks like Universal Studios and vacation rentals. Orlando received a Redfin Compete Score of 81, making it a competitive market for potential homeowners and real estate investors.
Pensacola comes in at number four on our list of the hottest real estate markets due to its affordability and lower-than-average unemployment rates. Excellent public schools and cultural diversity make Pensacola an ideal place to buy for families and young professionals. Investors will find that Pensacola is also one of the more affordable markets for buyers as well.
Savvy investors will find Port Charlotte ideal due to its low crime rate and highly ranked public schools. Port Charlotte gives off a small-town vibe without the distraction of a large number of tourists. The town is a great option for vacation rentals or Airbnbs during the Spring Training part of the MLB season when baseball season starts each year.
While not as affordable as other areas on the list, St. Petersburg’s real estate market is heating up and there is plenty of opportunity in single-family housing and vacation rentals. Of the 85 neighborhoods in St. Petersburg, you’ll find that homes receive over 6 offers on average and sell in about 7 days.
Florida’s capital city is known for its recreational activities and college-town atmosphere, being home to Florida State and Florida A&M University. The city ranks well in affordability and received high marks for its education system, making it an excellent place for young families, college students, and real estate investors.
Tallahassee is also somewhat recession-proof since the city will always attract a large pool of renters each school year. In addition, its affordability caters to flippers who want to turn a short-term profit or investors looking for long-term rentals.
Tampa’s real estate market has exploded due to its flourishing job market and the influx of potential buyers. Home prices are increasing with low inventory and are rising at the fastest rate in the United States. Family-friendly activities make Tampa a year-round destination that’s ideal for investors looking for lucrative short-term rental properties.
Florida has regulations regarding the title and closing process that potential investors should be aware of. In addition to a title search, Florida requires a Municipal Lien Search which costs about $100 and may uncover common issues like open permits and fines for general maintenance items.
Investors should also know that property taxes are paid in arrears and are due in April, and you may occasionally find that there are special assessments on property taxes. The owner’s title insurance and transfer taxes are always paid by the seller, and the lender’s policy, mortgage taxes, and surveys are paid by the buyer.
Empora is bringing our revolutionary title and closing platform to real estate investors in Florida. We are a full-service, full-integrated title agency, offering a wide range of title, escrow, and closing services for residential and commercial real estate transactions throughout Florida. If you plan to invest here, do not wait, as Florida is a terrific place to invest in real estate right now.
If you’re new to Empora, be sure to look at our services for more information on how we do title and closing better than our competitors. The bottom line is that we want to help you build your business by creating a better title and closing process. Empora now automates old processes, and we’ve removed legacy fees that should save you on closing costs. Request a demo to find out how much you could be saving.
Empora Title is built for real estate investors. We redesigned the title and closing process to create a digital-first experience that delivers the fastest, smoothest closings possible and simplifies the management of multiple deals.
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