Florida Keys vacation rentals provide a fantastic escape from it all with great variety of destinations and types of accommodation.  Dubbed the ‘Floribean’, the islands include Key West and Big Pine Key, Long Key, Marathon Key, Isladmadora, Cudjoe Key, Coco Plum, Key Colony Beach, Key Largo, Little Torch Key, Summerland Key and Tavernier.   All these islands have their own character  and uniqueness and most offer a great variety of activities like hiking, biking and boating, snorkeling and diving, fishing, eco tours and golfing.  However, this place is possibly the best in the world for doing absolutely nothing.  With its deeply relaxing, laid back atmosphere and warm tropical breezes it is also the perfect location and retreat for artists, writers and musicians to create their works. 

The weather simply excellent.  It isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing!  It is hot or warm all year round and the atmosphere peaceful.  All the islands have attractions and beauty that should appeal to everyone no matter what their interests are.  The natural beauty, beaches and clean air make for an unforgettable experience. 

There are many types of rental homes to choose from to create very different Florida keys vacations including condos, villas, cabins, cottages and camp sites each offering a totally different experience.  Many hotels and resorts offer luxury Florida keys vacation rentals  which, for one payment, include fishing trips, boat rides to the outlying islands, spa treatments, water sports and more. 

One such resort is the lovely Hawks Cay Resort is located half way down the Keys on the island of Duck Key and offers variety of accommodations such as hotel rooms with a variety of suites with that sleeps your whole family or villas with enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate a larger group.  The luxury resort is 60 acres big.

The Keys themselves are made up of 1700 islands beginning at the south eastern end of Florida about 25 km south of Miami.  The Keys are accessed either by boat or the main highway, the US-1 (also locally known as the Overseas Highway) in Florida City.  Key Largo is approximately 18 miles from there.  The Keys are mostly in Monroe County which has a border with Miami-Dade County comprising the Florida mainland.  The mainland area includes Big Cypress Nature Reserve and the famous Everglades, accessible from the Keys. 

The Keys have 5 main areas of Key Largo, Middle Keys (including Marathon), Islamorada, Key West and the Lower Keys.  The Upper and Middle Keys are nearest mainland Florida and are therefore more popular with weekenders who want to drive or sail to their destination quickly.  Seven Mile Bridge is further south and leads to the protected Lower Keys which are an unspoilt stretch of islands alive with wildlife on land and sea, such as the rare egret, Key deer, alligators and turtles. 

The Overseas Highway connects the main islands and is approximately 108 miles from Key West to Key Largo.  In Marathon, there is an airport which provides charter and private services.  In Key West the airport is commercial flights.  Flights directly to Key West are available from mainland Florida along with the Bahamas and Atlanta making a Florida Keys holiday easier than ever.

Key West is the most famous Florida Keys resort out of all the islands and the last island in the Lower Keys, frequented by the rich and famous such as the late Ernest Hemingway.  This is a main stop for cruise ships and day trippers with about 1.5 million visitors per year.  There is a constant fight to maintain the relaxed atmosphere and to keep hungry developers from creating more Florida Keys real estate. 

There is such a lot on offer to the visitor from the myriad attractions and Florida keys vacation rentals, so thorough research while keeping the type of holiday desired in mind is needed.
 

There are so many wonderful Florida keys vacation packages to choose from and with many companies vying for business, there are usually great rates for the taking too.  Packages often include meals and accommodations along with some spa treatments, excursions and perhaps museum tickets, all for one set price.  For additional attractions a discount may be offered with the package.  There are so many attractions in the Florida Keys vacations with many packages on offer with different islands offering unique excursions and sights.

Train and Trolley packages consist of a number of designated stops around the island allowing you to hop on and off at your leisure and is an efficient, enjoyable and relaxed way to see everything.  They usually run all day and you can hop on again every half an hour.  Top places to visit in Key West would be Southernmost Point, Hemingway’s House, Truman’s Little White House, Duval Street and the Historic Seaport. 

How about exploring the island’s scenery and sun in your own time, on your own terms by bicycle or scooter.  Or, snorkeling is one of the most popular packages in Key West and unique too as this area offers North America’s only living reef.  The reef is absolutely teeming with wildlife and snorkeling is a deeply relaxing way to spend time and discover the wonders of the sea.   The fish are vibrantly colorful and the underwater flora some of the most beautiful in the world.  Florida Keys diving excursions are a must whether is it part of the travel package or not!

Florida Keys weddings are a popular sight with many people opting to to get married in paradise.  And why not.  For those on such a holiday or simply a romantic getaway, a champagne sail into the sunset on board a beautifully modern, state-of-the-art catamaran to gaze at Key West’s spectacular sunsets is perfect.  These excursions often come with honeymoon, marriage or romantic getaway packages. 

A Florida Keys resort is a popular choice for many and is especially good if you have children to cater for. And, of course, there are a huge range to choose from.

Dive into the sunset with Florida Keys diving excursions on offer. This package can often come with a sunset sail too and is a way to experience the natural beauty of this island above and below the water.  The sailing trip often includes complimentary wine, beer, sodas and snacks with the price and depending on the Florida Keys hotel company, it can come with accommodation too.

In general, it is worth trying to tailor make the package with your company,  For example, if you only get twin beds in the deal, see if they  can stretch to a double instead.  Sometimes they are willing  to throw other items into the package to keep custom so it is worth bargaining.

Florida keys vacations are manifold with condos, villas, houses, hotels and motels available for those with different needs.  Florida Keys lodging is a popular choice with those on a budget opting to stay with families who rent out rooms or annexes of their houses. 

Florida Keys Vacation Packages can be the best way to get a good deal out of your holiday.

Foreclosure information is in the public domain and it shouldn’t be hard to find a free foreclosure listing, however they can be hard to find.  When you purchase a foreclosed home, it means the previous owner was no longer able to keep up mortgage repayments and therefore lost their home.  Even though this is a very sad state of affairs seeing as there are thousands of people in this position, it is great for business and there is a potential for big profit.  Florida home foreclosures comprise a large area of foreclosed homes, however foreclosures are happening nationwide.

Real estate investors are able to access foreclosure information whenever they need it. Foreclosures, out of all the homes for sale, are probably the most popular in the real estate market in current times.  Incredible deals on properties can be found with purchasing a foreclosed house meaning that demand is high among house hunters.  However, as mentioned, foreclosure listings can be elusive with free listings even more so, so it takes a little bit of savvy to find them. 

Firstly the most convenient place to search is of course online.  There are many websites that list foreclosures however, they do not usually give away the whole list for free meaning that, unless a full membership is paid, only a partial list is disclosed.  They do sometimes however offer a trial period where listings can be accessed for a limited time.  This is advantageous to the searcher because when one trial ends, another can be signed up to and so it continues, providing access to a continual free foreclosure list. 

Talk to a REO (or real estate owned) asset management company who are there to assist lenders offload real estate for the highest price possible, as fast as possible.  The majority provide free listings and are willing and able to offer good deals seeing as their need is to sell the properties for their clients quickly. 

Another tip is to search bank foreclosures listings.  A useful way to locate foreclosed homes is an online search or a trip to the local bank.  This will provide free REO listings.

As mentioned, the Department of Housing and Urban development is a government home agency providing help to first time buyers offering loan guarantees and subsidies to assist in buying a foreclosed home.   Most of HUD homes listings are foreclosures which are resold on to buyers.  They are below the market value making it very attractive to first time buyers.  The condition of HUD houses varies.  Some are more than 50 years old and may need work, others are almost new builds.  Some are ready to move into immediately.  It may take some work and time to get a good price on a foreclosure, however this is totally possible and HUD provide a lot of assistance to make the process easier. 

HUD property listings contain a huge range of properties for sale including condos, abandoned houses, town houses, new homes, apartments, houses in need of work and land, all for sale at large discounts.  Because lenders are highly motivated to sell homes, these discounts are available there has almost never been a better time to buy. 

There are different strategies to use in order to make a profit – either keep it and cash in on the capital growth or do it up and sell it for a substantial profit. 

So there are different ways to access a free foreclosure listing from different companies and different ways to find and invest in properties that can either be kept or sold on for a profit.
 

Many people want to invest but wonder what type of Florida investment property to buy.  The first step is to know the purpose of your purchase.  If it is for vacations and you will spend only a few weeks there each year then it is important to rent the property out in your absence and purchase in an area specifically for short term rentals (less than a 6 month rental is considered short term).  It is important to get a specialized Florida investment advisor as there are rules about licensing in some areas and an advisor can inform you about this and protect you against fraud. 

When you have decided on the area, what kind of property is best?   Houses or condos?   Many people opt for houses.  The best size of property can vary but a 3 bedroom house proves to be most popular than the larger 4 bedroom house.  They are cheaper to buy and maintain but if a good priced 4 bedroom house becomes available don’t let this stop you from buying.  There is a market for bigger houses but they are pricier to purchase and maintain. 

Golfing communities prove to be good Florida investment properties as you are homing in on a niche market and therefore easier to rent, but are again pricier to buy.

Over time, the bottom line seems to be the same as smaller houses have smaller maintenance costs and give less rental income but larger houses have bigger expenses which take away from the higher rental income.  Affordability and personal taste are the key factors it seems. 

However, the choice is yours if you do not plan to rent the property.  Florida investment homes that are pre-owned are generally easier to buy, better value and can close faster.  Issues with construction like noise and dirt pollution are not an issue as they are usually situated in well established areas making it better for the market value and your tenants.  A pre-owned home value will appreciate quicker than new build property because of the surrounding construction in the new area.
However, some people favor a new house due to flexibility of choosing the interior such as furnishings, floor plans and color schemes.

There are many other things to think about when purchasing.  Property management, taxes, financing, immigration, exchange rates, Florida real estate licensing and medical bills (high medical insurance costs in the US) should be given careful consideration.

Regarding financing, there are benefits in having a US mortgage in that your rental income will be paid in US dollars and it is best to pay your mortgage in US dollars as well.  If all transactions are in US dollars, it is best as it avoids any exchange rates.

Florida is an extremely popular place to invest and the main investors are British, Americans and Canadians.  Popular areas include Sarasota, Orlando, St Petersburg, Central Florida and Tampa Bay.  But, wherever you purchase your Florida investment property remember to think thoroughly about the area and to use trusted advisors and you’ll be well on your way to an investment for life.
 

So, what exactly does the Orange County property appraiser do?  For the purposes of taxation the appraiser is responsible for locating, valuing and identifying property inside the county.  The current real estate market dictates what is called the “market value” of a property and setting the market value of any property means finding out what the likely price the majority of people would be willing to pay for it.  The Orange County appraiser’s only role in taxation is establishing a fair market value.

The value of the property is not created by the appraiser.  This is created by the buying and selling of property in the real estate market.  Typically, people buy an under market value property, perhaps one in need of care and attention like a new roof or updated interior then carry out this work and then sell the property on for a higher price therefore making a profit in the exchange.  The appraiser looks at these types of transactions and appraises the property.

The appraiser also keeps current descriptions of property and building, keeps boundary maps and tracks changes in ownership as well as processing property tax relief applications and other exemptions along with keeping track of building prices, sales prices and rent trends to give the best chance of fairly assessing all property.

In order to appraise property in a cost effective and fair way, a computer assisted mass appraisal system is used (or CAMA) which leads to fair assessment for all property owners in the county.  Additionally, the GIS or Geographic Information System reflects current maps and boundaries helping appraisers during field conducting inspections.  The GIS is updated regularly to keep up-to-date with any land changes.  The information provided by the GIS helps in the comparison of similar properties and analyzes data.

Property is appraised usually once in five years.  Each property is inspected as established by Florida law.  Sometimes the market fluctuates depending upon any trades done in the local area and this may affect the direct market value of a house.  It is a clear indicator of market value when similar properties are sold in an area.

Finding out the amount properties have sold for in a neighborhood is the first step in establishing the value of any property and maintaining an up-to-date record of real estate information is important.  One method of valuation is called the ‘comparison approach’.  If the sale of a property is clean, ie there were no special incentives or bribes, both the seller and buyer were willing parties and the property was up for sale for a reasonable amount of time, then the valuing process can proceed based on comparables from the local market. 

The other two methods of appraisal are the income approach and the cost approach.  Each county has an appraisal office such as the Duval County property appraiser who at the time of writing is Jim Overton, CFA.  

Through Orange County property tax, essential services are provided such as crime prevention and education and without these taxes the majority of much needed services would not exist.  As mentioned, the amount of tax collected is not the responsibility of the appraiser.  Some individuals and organizations are already exempt such as disabled veterans, permanent disability, low income elderly citizens, widowers and widows, religious, educational  and charitable organizations.  The Orange County property appraiser will accept will accept exemption applications.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there is a wide range of Destin vacation rentals for you to choose from. Located in Okaloosa County, the Destin area really does have something for everyone whether it be shopping in high end boutiques, going fishing with the area’s biggest fishing fleet, golfing, exploring the town centers, or eating out in top class restaurants. 

If you want a long or short term rental, a romantic holiday or a full blown family holiday, Destin can provide all that and more.  There is a variety of accommodation available in the area.  In general, when holidaying in Florida condo rentals are a popular choice.  Many people on a family holiday opt for Destin condos.  It feels like staying in a real home therefore making the whole family feel comfortable.  An entertainment center, cable and broadband are usually available and the rental may also include additional amenities such as tennis courts, heated pool and a gym.  Security is another plus point with a condo rental because it is more private, the change over of people is less frequent than a hotel and there is less concern over possible theft of your valuables compared to a hotel room.

Including a proper kitchen complete with refrigerator, oven and stove,condo rentals save on the costs of eating out every day.  This flexibility means you can eat what you want, when you want it.  Many invest in condos as a second home as they have the possibility of paying for themselves through rentals from other holiday makers. 

A Destin hotel can provide another way to enjoy your holiday and are perhaps more pampering and romantic.  They come with fantastic amenities such as pool, private beach, walking distance to shops and sights, 24 hour concierge service, waterfront dining, a pool and private balconies. 

If you are looking for a holiday beach resort Destin can provide.  Boasting some of the best beaches in the world, it is situated on Florida’s Emerald Coastline.  Just to the east of Destin are the destinations of Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa Island.  These beaches are Blue Wave Certified, meaning they meet the criteria for services, erosion management, tidal conditions, environmental and habitat conservation and education to the public.  South Walton has 26 miles of beach coastline, all Blue Wave certified.

For a Florida vacation villas are also a popular choice amongst families or family groups, providing the same security, privacy and space a condo provides except easier access to your car!  Many villas are in a gated community which includes shops and amenities, private breaches, in-land walking, lakes for fishing, bike trails and swimming pools.

With it’s emerald colored sea and bright, white beaches it isn’t hard to see why Destin has experienced rapid growth in popularity as a vacation destination.  Destin’s economy owes a large part to its visitors as the 12,000 population of the city increases to an incredible 40,000 during the holiday season.  So it’s easy to see how Destin vacation rentals will be fully booked during this time!