Florida property investment

Florida property investment facts. Pros and cons. On the information page below, you will find comprehensive information about the process of buying property in Florida state in USA.

These are the necessary and important information and facts that you should know, before you start the process of buying property in Florida. Compendium of our knowledge, we share with you about buying a house or apartment (condo) in the United States in state of Florida.

You will find here information regarding the issue of property taxes in the U.S., the costs associated with buying a property in Florida. Notary fees, legal aspects of property purchase, restrictions on rental property in Florida, relating to the purchased property. Also immigration matters for foreign citizen, who wish to purchase a real estate in the United States in Florida state.

• Foreign citizenship and the purchase of real estate in Florida and the U.S.
• Why invest in Florida?
• Cost of buying a property in Florida
• The costs of property maintenance in Florida
• Immigration matters and purchase of real estate in the U.S.
• What’s mean real estate 55 +
• Property on golf courses in Florida
• Property rental in Florida
• We specialize in properties from Florida South East
• Life and tourist attractions in Florida
• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about buying a home in the U.S.

Foreign citizen and the purchase of real estate in Florida in United States

Buying a property in Florida, does not entitle us to permanent residence or any immigration rights in the United States. Visa, a foreign citizenship in the United States and the purchase of real estate. They are two separate things that should not be combined.

Buying property in the U.S., in this case in Florida, does not allow us to stay longer than the visa expiry or legal period of time. In case of most of the EU citizens up to 3 months. For a tourist visa B-1, it is up to 6 months of legal stay in the United States.

Citizens of most European Union countries do not need visa to enter the United States and are covered by the so-called Visa Waiver Program, (VWP). In total, the program covers 39 countries in the world and the citizens of these countries do not need visas to enter the United States.

Why invest in Florida?

About strength and importance of the U.S. economy, we don’t need to convince anyone. Both, professional investors in real estate, as well as unexperienced persons. Not familiar in the topic of investing in foreign real estate, know, how important American economy is for the entire world. See locations where we sell properties in Florida

Southern areas of the United States are the most attractive areas to live, vacation and to invest in real estate in the world.
Florida is one of the most beautiful places in the U.S. Stable and strongest economy in the world, has been attracting property investors for years. In 2019, United States was destination number one for foreign investors in real estate. Last year into American real estate market invest most: English, Brazilians, Scandinavians and Russians.

The last 2008-2009 economic crisis and the property crisis in the U.S. itself in real estate market, has caused a dramatic decline in american property prices, especially in Florida. Weak dollar against other currencies, continues to favor the American real estate market, as the best destination for international real estate investments. Since then US property market became very expensive now.

Many people have realized that for the price of an average apartment in a “little town” somewhere in Spain, there is a chance to purchase a flat or apartment in always sunny Florida. FAntastic Florida is one of the richest and most economically developed states in the United States of America.

Florida property investment

State of Florida is very cosmopolitan, very modern, with a fantastic infrastructure, great services, and good communication. Great higways and fantastic place for shopping. It is always America, New World, and the richest country in the world, despite the crisis which hit the United States since 2008. Anyway, there is no sign of crisis now when you drive through Florida. Restaurants are full, shops are full and people spending they money everywhere.

Adding to this, there is, in our opinion, a very important, emotional aspect, of property ownership in Florida. The fact is often forgotten by businessmen and professional investors. House in Miami, property in Florida, in Boca Raton, on Delray Beach, West Palm Beach or Fort Louderdale, it is a prestige, pride from own success and a higher social status.

Tough investors often forget about it, sometimes it’s not just about investment and making money.
Think … how nice would be to leave Europe by the end of November, bask on the beach in Miami, spend all winter in Florida and return to Europe at the beginning of April, with a beautiful tan. When winter gone…

Florida facts

• state Florida is the fourth most populous state in the United States, after California, New York and Texas
• Florida nickname “Sunshine State”
• the capital of Florida: Tallahassee
• the largest cities in Florida: Jacksonville 736,000 residents, Miami 365,000 residents, Tampa 305,000 inhabitants, St. Petersburg 250,000 inhabitants, Hialeah 225,000 inhabitants, Orlando 170,000 inhabitants , Ft. Lauderdale 155,000 inhabitants, Tallahassee 152,000 inhabitants, Hollywood 140,000 inhabitants and Pembroke Pines 138,000 inhabitants
• total number of residents in Florida: 18,500,000
• tourism in Florida: in 2011, 78 million tourists from all over the world visited Florida. Florida is the number one on the map of tourist destination in the world. The tourism industry in Florida has a huge impact on the economy of this state and generates 57 mln dollars a year. International trade: 40% of U.S. exports to Latin America pass through Florida
• international trade: 40% of U.S. exports to Latin America pass through Florida every year
• space industry: represents $ 4.5 billion to the state of Florida
• Florida produces 75% of U.S. oranges and 40% of total world production of this fruit
• beaches in Florida: 1,200 miles, the beautiful sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
• average annual temperature in Florida
• Summer: 26.9 C (North Florida)
  28.2 C (South Florida)
• Winter: 11.7 C (North Florida)
  20.3 C (South Florida)

Cost of buying property in Florida

Generally speaking, the cost of buying property in Florida is 2% of the total value of the property that we intend to purchase for cash purchase. If you need to take out a mortgage in the U.S. bank, you have to expect to add about 5% of the additional costs, to the total value of the property you intend to buy.

In Florida, there is no tax on the purchase of real estate, such as in some European countries, but we must reckon with the annual tax for the maintenance of the property within 2% of the value of the property (including HOA and Real Estate Tax). See chapters below.
Notary cost: notary service, land registry entries, from $ 300 to $ 3,000 depending on the price of the property purchased, mortgage, etc. The exact amount of notarial costs, we can just give on the particular property you intend to buy.

The costs of maintainance the property in Florida

Ownership of real estate in Florida costs money. They are charges involve regarding the property maintenance. Each owner of the property in Florida has to pay monthy cost of property maintenace. While viewing a property with us. we will let you know exactly what are the costs of maintaining the listed property. Cost vary, depend of the quality of the urbanization or country club. Depends of the location and kind of the property in Florida. Consider rent your property in Florida. See chapter property rentals Florida

They are two main cost of property maintenace in Florida: HOA (Home Owners Associations) and Property Tax.
After purchasing the property to pay this type of charge, it is best to set up a “direct debit”, where the fee is automatically charged from your bank account. Especially if you live abroad most of the time.

HOA

When you buy an apartment or a house in Florida, you will often hear the word HOA. That’s mean “Home Owners Association”. This, in simple words, mean property maintenance, which we are required to pay when buying a property on a given urban or residential area in Florida. Typically, this fee is charged on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Depending on the standard and location of the property, the amount could be from $ 200 to $ 2000 per month. On the luxury and ultra-luxury estates and developmentns, this cost is correspondingly higher.

HOA (Home Owners Association) fees include: swimming pools maintenace, lawn care, maintenance or concierge guards, sometimes a gym, fitness club in the settlements, insurance of the whole urbanization, maintenance of green areas, elevators running cost, trim vegetation, etc.
Exception are individual houses and villas, where there are no HOA fees.

Real Estate Tax

Annual fee for owning real estate in the United States, equivalent of European property tax. This tax is paid once a year. When browsing through our properties with Activa Realty agent, you will have access to the information, about the amount of the annual tax on a specific property in Florida.
Off course you can check property taxes by yourself on many websites presenting Florida’s property taxes in aby Florida’s county.

Immigration matters and purchase of real estate in the USA

As mentioned above in our guide about buying a real estate in the United States. Purchase property in the United States has nothing to do with visa and legal period of stay in the United States of America. Buying a holiday home in Florida or commercial property in the USA, you are still required to have a valid visa to the USA. If you need one.

If you own a property in Florida you can’t overstay you legal period of time in United States. Usually up to 90 days for EU citizens and up to 6 months for another nationalities.
If you are a citizen of the European Union and the program Visa Waiver Program apply to you, you can legally stay in the United States for 90 days. If you need a visa to enter the USA, you will be allow to stay up to 6 months.

What’s mean properties “55+”

When viewing real estate in Florida, sooner or later, you’ll come across the term “55+”. What does this mean? Properties “55+” these are residential apartments (condominiums, also called condos), where in order to buy the property, you have to be 55 years of age or older. At list, one of person of the couple, have to be 55 or older.

Usually, these are much cheaper properties, but the specific rules, to buy this properties, apply.
Sometimes, it’s mandatory to purchase a membership at the country club or golf club membership. Each estate has its own rules. Living and buying this type of property in Florida is regulated by law, called The Housing for Older Person Act (HOPA).

Property on golf course in Florida

In the case of the purchase of property located on Florida’s golf courses, often the new owner need also buy a Membership to became a full owner of the property. Often, this type of Membership Fee can be $ 50,000 to $ 70,000 and more. Sometimes it’s much more, depending of the prestige of the specific golf course in Florida.

Not all urbanizations of this type required fee from the person wishing to buy a house in the neighborhood of a golf course. It is usually a one-time fee, which must be paid by the new owner of the house or apartment, if you want to live on this type of neighborhood.

It happens, that the property itself is very attractively priced, and the Membership Fee is extremely high. All real estate agents in Florida must provide to the client, this type of information during the viewing a specific property on a golf course urbanization. It is possible to “resell” later Membership Fee on the sale of your property.

Property rental Florida

Very good idea to generate passive income from the property, may be a property rental in Florida. For vacation or rental for long term. Rental properties in Florida, are associated in some cases with restrictions, depending on the settlement or urbanization, where the property is located.

Sometimes Home Owner Association (HOA) don’t allow to rent out the property on the specific urbanization. While viewing a property with Activa realty, we will inform you exactly about the principles and rules applaying to rented apartment or house, and also about the taxes that are related to property rental in the United States.

The U.S. market for rental property, belongs to the “strongest” in the world. Generally, in the vicinity of Miami up to West Palm Beach is a huge demand for long term rentals and holiday rental as well. In some neighborhoods, there are restrictions associated with long-term rentals. Sometimes, for example, that for the first two years, after the purchase of real estate, you can’t rent out the property, or may be only available short-term rental and holiday rental.

Americans from northern states and Canadians love to spend winters in Florida. Sometimes they remain here for a few months. In this case, you can rent the property for a short period, so-called. “short let”. Here more about property rentals in Florida

How many weeks I have to rent out my new property to cover the costs of maintaining the property in Florida?

It’s difficult to give a definite answer on this question. This depends mainly on the location of the property, the standard of the house, villa or apartment, if the property is furnished or not, proximity to the beach, etc.
Regarding restrictions of property rental in Florida, while viewing the property with us, prior to purchase, we will tell you exactly how look like the matter of rental on the complex or specific urbanization.

We specialize in properties from Florida South East

Activa Realty Florida office is located in Boca Raton (Palm Beach county). This is the most prestigious location in Florida South East. Florida is a big state. Our real estate activities are limited to the region known as South East Florida which includes counties: Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami Dade and Monroe.

The vast majority of real estate for sale in our offer is limited to Palm Beach, Broward and Miami Dade. We are focus on the property in Boca Raton area. We would like to emphasize the fact, that those parts of USA are some of the most attractive regions across all Florida to invest in real estate. Find our more about communities where we sell properties in FL

The warmest climate throughout Florida, close to wonderful Miami, Everglades and Key West. The most developed economy in Florida and prestigious locations such as Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Here have their residences the richest people of this world, celebrities and stars of the world of film and music.

Life and attractions in Florida

What is life like in Florida? This southern U.S. state, is one of the most prestigious places in the world to live, own a house and purchase of foreign real estate. Wonderful culture of this country and modern infrastructure. The U.S. is a economic power and very stable economy, despite the previous crisises and the future ones.

A fantastic lifestyle, multicultural society, order, prosperity and abundance of great places to play and go out.
America is a place where everyone feels well, especially a foreigner and newcomer. World-class shopping malls for shopping lovers, it’s heaven on earth. Here are the biggest “shopping malls” in the world.

Florida’s fantastic climate all year round. Sun and great beaches. The best beaches in the United States, more than 1,200 miles of sandy beaches and the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The beaches of Miami, West Palm Beach does know anybody. They are the most beautiful beaches of Florida.

Do not forget, even California, on the West Coast of the U.S., does not have a climate such as Florida. In Miami, you can take a trip to the Bahamas, it’s only a few dozen kilometers from the port in Miami. We recommend Atlantis Hotel in Nassau, where there is a great casino and underwater caves. Florida is a place where people care about themselves and their body. The seaside promenade are filled with people running, gym and fitness centers, you will find at every step in Florida. Here, you just want to live and be … More information in our Florida guide. Comprehensive informations about Florida biggest attractions.

The biggest tourist attractions in Florida

Frequently asked questions about buying a home in the U.S.

The best way to get to Florida?
Search for a connecting flight to Miami (most routes from Europe, Canada and USA, the lowest air fares). Alternatively look for flight to Fort Lauderdale Airport or West Palm Beach Airport. Using our VIP package, we pick you up from the airport and accommodated at a hotel near our office.

Shall i rent a car in Florida?
Yes. If you wish to explore the area in which you intend to buy a property, your own car will be necessary. It is good to know the area in which in the future you are going to spend a lot of time in Florida. You will soon find out, life in Florida in the USA without a car is very difficult. Compare prices and rent a car in Florida here

For what period of time shall i come to Florida to see the properties that interest me?
7 days should be enough to show you wide range of properties in your price range. Of course, if you intend to learn more about Florida, you might want to extend the stay. For those with more free time it is a worth to explore Florida and surroundings and learn more about this beautiful state.

In this chapter regarding information about the process of buying property in Florida, we tried to put as much as possible, specific and useful information about the process of buying a property in the United States. Visit also chapter property purchase in Florida on our website, to get more information about the process and the following steps of buying a house or apartment in Florida.

Our agency will accompany you, from arrival at the airport in Miami, until the moment of signing the property deeds in the United States. Sometimes the process of purchasing the property from the reservation deposit until the signing of the deeds may take up to several months. Activa Realty will be with you from start to finish.