How to Buy Real Estate in Florida. Step 2 of 12

Consider popular locations in Florida. This guide gives a flavour of the areas of Florida most popular with British second home purchasers - the central region around Orlando, the east (Atlantic) coast and the resorts on the southwest (Gulf) coast.

• Central Florida - The central part of the state, particularly around Tampa and Orlando, has long been a favourite with British holidaymakers, especially families, as it is there that most of the big attractions are located, including Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens and Sea World. Unlike some other parts of Florida, it is warm all year round, and there is less rain than in coastal areas.
•  Its popularity, and the resulting healthy rental market, which offers owners the best returns in Florida, makes the area a magnet for both second home purchasers and buy-to-let investors. Prices reflect this, but generally still represent good value as the volume of new construction helps keep them competitive. Most purchasers here are looking for detached villas with pools.
• The Gulf Coast - In July and August, so the potential for letting properties, certainly to families, is not as good. However, it makes up for these disadvantages with magnificent white beaches, azure seas, plentiful moorings and fine restaurants - attributes that have made it popular with the super-rich. Around 60 per cent of the US's wealthiest citizens winter at Naples, an exclusive resort on the Gulf Coast, or at Palm Beach, on the Atlantic Coast. Consequently, the Gulf Coast is a hugely expensive area. Houses on the waterfront, in particular, command prices easily in excess of twice those of similar-sized ones in the Orlando area. Properties further inland or up the coast are slightly less expensive. 
• The Atlantic Coast - Florida's Atlantic Coast stretches from St Augustine through Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, right down through the Florida Keys to Key West. It includes some of North America's most desirable (and expensive) locations, such as Palm Beach, where prices routinely run to millions of dollars. However, not everywhere on the Atlantic Coast is this pricey, and if you choose your location carefully, you can find a three-bedroom house with a pool for around $250,000 (approximately £125,000).
•  An apartment in a good area of Miami will start from around $300,000 (about £150,000) - not bad considering how much the city offers: beautiful beaches, blue seas, non-stop nightlife, a varied arts and culture scene, fascinating Art Deco architecture and a consistently warm climate. Many current buyers are taking advantage of the stressful situation of developers involved in Miami condo projects to get some of the best discounts available in international real estate.

Source:Wikihow
Edited by Realtorplus, Mark Davis, Flickety, Penrus and 8 others