Florida Real Estate 

Florida is located in the southeastern United States, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the East and the Gulf of Mexico on the West. The Sunshine State largely consists of a large low-lying peninsula and, in the northwest, a strip of land known as the panhandle. It is a region of low, rolling hills, vast swamps and marshes, numerous lakes, and extensive forests. Superimposed on this varied pattern of geographical features are the urban areas, farmlands, transportation routes, and other cultural features that have transformed Florida from what was once a wilderness area into one of the fastest-growing states in the Union.

Florida's economy rests on a solid base of tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture. Leading the manufacturing sector are electrical equipment and electronics, printing and publishing, transportation equipment, food processing, and machinery. Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit lead Florida's agricultural products list, followed by potatoes, strawberries, melons, peanuts, sugar cane, dairy products, and cattle. A 2002 real estate survey estimated Florida's population at 16,713,000.

Florida is rich in history, and new residents interested in learning about the state’s cultural heritage will have no problem finding a museum or attraction to suit his or her tastes—and you won't have to travel far from your new home to get there. Visitors to St. Augustine in North Florida can tour the old Castillo de San Marcos—the oldest remaining European fort in the country—and observe historical reenactments of daily life. Further south, you can tour the winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in Fort Myers and Ernest Hemingway’s residence in Key West. Florida also has museums on just about every topic from classic cars to Jewish history to teddy bears.

The many theme parks in Orlando and surrounding areas, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, draw visitors from all over the world, and Florida residents receive discounts at these and other attractions across the state. Water parks can also be found all over Florida, with swimming pools, waterslides, lazy rivers, wave pools, children’s playgrounds, flume rides, and more. Take advantage of Florida’s sunny weather by exploring its natural wonders, including the Everglades National Park, a 1.5-million-acre preserve in Southern Florida. And of course, as Florida is surrounded by miles and miles of beaches—not to mention hundreds of lakes and an extensive network of waterways—you never have to travel far to find places to swim, boat, surf, water ski, fish, dive, or snorkel in Florida.

According to the Florida Association of Realtors, the median sale price of an existing home in Florida has increased from $124,100 in 2000 to $194,700 in 2004. In fact, between 2003 and 2004, the median sale price increased 23%. Predictions for appreciation in areas across the state range from 12-20% per year. These statistics indicate a strong seller's market, but with the average mortgage interest rate in Florida ranging from 4.75% to 6.00%, it's also a great time to buy. The appreciation of homes in Florida, especially in coastal areas like Daytona Beach, is only likely to grow; therefore, buying a home in Florida is a solid investment.