Florida is a well-known vacation destination not only for flocks of international travelers looking to bask in the year-round sunshine and enjoy the exciting Latin culture but also for plenty of domestic holiday-makers looking to get away and enjoy everything the Sunshine State has to offer.
However, while there are undoubtedly plenty of positives about purchasing a vacation home in this part of the nation, there are a few downsides you might want to be aware of before pulling the trigger on a purchase.
Pros
Since the benefits of moving here far outweigh any negatives, let’s begin with the fun stuff! Not only does Florida have a vast array of climates to take advantage of, but the culture is such that almost no city is alike, and you will always discover something new and exciting.
Disney!
If you are a Disney fan, Florida is of course the place to be. Instead of visiting the park like anyone, you can also take part in their Disney Vacation Club program that enables you to enjoy multiple Disney holidays in the year without going bankrupt and stay in one of the numerous Disney properties. This timeshare program is a points system that you can redeem at any of their participating resorts. If that’s something you find appealing, you can read more info on the estimated timeline for DVC resales here.
Beaches Galore
Now let’s get to one of the most apparent advantages of Florida… it’s home to a vast variety of world-class beaches perfect for lounging around or participating in a spot of watersports. Moreover, the beach settings change depending on where you choose to go.
When you look at houses for sale Panama City FL, you will see that the beaches take on more of a lagoon-type setting than those down south. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a bad beach in the state, and it’s almost as if it has been specially designed, and you would expect nothing less for a state that is essentially an enormous peninsula!
Florida Has An Eclectic Mixture Of Cultures
Nowhere does flair quite like this state. Although the US is home to a broad range of enigmatic cultures, nowhere does it quite like the Floridians do. Here you will find a fascinating mix-up of Latin, African-American, Native American, and even Cajun communities all living together and creating a unique heritage comparable to nothing else on Earth.
While the history is fascinating in and of itself, the true wonder of this combination is the wide variety of delectable foods available, perhaps making it the most delicious state (sorry, but not sorry, NYC, LA, and Chicago).
You’ll Have Many Options To Resell At A Profit
Among the 50 states in the United States, Florida is consistently ranked among the top four, along with the usual suspects of the perenially number 1 California, New York, and Texas.
This has resulted in an enormous pent-up demand for property as people clamber to move in. While this could mean a higher initial investment, it also improves your chances of making a profit when the time comes to sell.
It’s Made Its Name As A Holiday Destination
There’s a wide variety of attractions in Florida because the state has been a popular vacation spot for decades. This is fantastic news, especially if you plan to use the property purely as a vacation home.
Cons
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, and it would be remiss to exclude some of the more notable downsides that you really should know about before coming to a conclusion.
The Weather Might Not Be Everyone’s Cup Of Tea
Adding this point was difficult because so many vacationers love the fact that Florida has pretty much year-round sunshine (hence its nickname). Nevertheless, it’s considered to have a tropical climate replete with all the negatives that tend to come with this environment.
This means hot and sticky summers with humidity levels off the charts. This also brings swarms of all the nasty insects and bugs you might not be familiar with if you come from states with more temperate weather. Think creepy crawlies, mosquitoes, and pretty much anything that has evolved to eat you and make your life miserable.
However, it’s also worth noting that as a holiday home, you will probably not visit during the worst months (August through October). Furthermore, unless you happen to live in the middle of a mangrove swamp., most of these issues are alleviated with air conditioning and not venturing out in the midday sun (there’s a song in there somewhere!)
It’s The Kind Of State Where You’d Either Have To Drive To Or Rent A Car
There is no sidestepping the fact that Florida has been designed as a car state. Because it is too hot to walk around, you will likely want to use a vehicle; however, this means that you will almost always need a car in order to get anywhere or accomplish anything.
Nonetheless, this means you must either drive to your holiday home or rent a vehicle when you arrive. Of course, you could rely on Uber, but that can get pretty costly over time, not to mention incontinent when living there.
Final Thoughts
Florida is a fantastic location and one almost designed from the ground up as a tourist hotspot. This means that purchasing a vacation home is a no-brainer.
Although this is undoubtedly the case to a certain extent, there are a few downsides that this post has covered. Fortunately, they are few and far between, and in almost all cases, sourcing real estate in this great state will be the best choice you ever make. When you’re ready to get your vacation house in Florida, it’s best to check a refinance home loan calculator first to get an estimate of your loan.