Florida Real Estate-Relocating to Florida

For Web designers a great source for online form building at www.formdevil.com Easy to create new forms and very reasonable

Found a great Shopping Cart solution for people who want to add a cart to an existing website. The Company name is www.shopsite.com

New 2008 property tax Reforms: In a January 2008 ballot measure, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment that introduced several changes to our state's property tax system. The four changes may affect the amount of tax you owe: Increased Homestead Exemption: If you're currently receiving a $25,000 homestead exemption on your property taxes, you will automatically be upgraded to a $50,000 exemption this year. If you are a homeowner and do not currently receive the exemption, you may file your application in person along with a $15 late fee, through mid-September. Save Our Homes Portability Cap: You may now trasfer up to $500,000 of your property tax cap to a new home when you move. To take advantage of this benefit, you must file a Homestead Exemption and Portability Application. Tangible Personal Property Tax Exemption: If you're required to file a Tangible Personal Property Tax Return, you're entitled to a $25,000 exemption on business equipment. Non-Homeste...

Miami and Dade County Cost of Living. The cost of living index is based on the composite price of groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, clothing and entertainment. Cost of living indexes will generally be higher in areas that offer access to beaches, culture, arts and recreation. In addition areas, that offer a wider variety of services such as health and education will run higher due to higher wages, and increased quality of living. Cost of living indexing explanation A figure of 100 points is used as an average both for the USA and Florida. For example: Boise Idaho is ranked at a 99 Boston Mass is rated at 240 San Francisco at 217 Statewide, Florida cities come in from a low of 90 and up. One way to compare Florida areas to salary requirements For example-If you were relocating from Portland Oregon (whose rate 1s 120) to Orlando, and you currently make $50,000 per year, the formula is as follows Take the destination index, in this case Orlando-104.2 and divide b...

Miami and Dade County Employment One of the best things about Miami and Dade county is the abundance of career opportunities. From small business to Fortune 500 companies, to multinationals, Miami has it all. So whether you're an entrepreneur or a corporate executive, Miami could have just the right position for you. *Since there is no state or local income tax, you take home more. That combined with a low cost of living means a better lifestyle. Some Miami statistics: As of February 2005 per the US Department of labor in Miami: Number of workers-982,000  Median hourly wage $12.89 to $17.13  Entry $7.78 per hour Experienced $22.36 average per hour Annual wage $35,630 For specific figures by occupation go to http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_5000.htm http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/oes.htm The areas top 5 employers as of late 2003 per the Miami Chamber of commerce http://www.greatermiami.com/live_work_play/factsheet.asp MIAMI-DADE COUNTY'S TOP 5 EMPLOYERS Miami-Dade Coun...

Starting a Business in Orlando and Orange County Starting a Business in Orlando and Orange County The Orange county area is one of the fastest growing and expanding areas in the country. With over one million residents, the region is constantly expanding, which means more jobs, incredible opportunities and a great lifestyle. Whether you’re considering relocating a company or starting a business from scratch, Orange County and it’s neighboring communities have a place for your business. Employees: Over 520,000 in the greater Orange County area. Average Annual Wage (2003) · All Industries · $34,623 · Construction · $38,525 · Education & Health Services · $35,666 · Financial Activities · $48,414 · Information · $48,205 · Leisure & Hospitality · $21,921 · Manufacturing · $47,730 · Natural Resources & Mining · $20,952 · Other Services · $24,722 · Professional & Business Services · $40,246 · Public administration · $41,642 · Trade, Transportation and Utilities · $33,13 Major ...

Orlando and Orange County Weather Orange County’s mild climate, lets you enjoy outdoor recreational opportunities year round. Winter, spring and fall are filled with lots of sunshine. The hottest month is July and August, with an average high of 92° F and an average low of 73° F. In January the average high temperature is 70° F and the average low is 48° F. Normal annual precipitation is 53 inches, with the largest monthly totals accumulating from July through September. Orange county Temperature Annual high average Month Air  January 70.8  February 72.7  March 78.0 April 83.0 May 87,8 June 90.5 July 91.5 August 91.5 September 89.7 October 84.6 November 78.5 December 72.9  *To compare Orange County weather with other major USA cities go here http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762183.html  Other Weather Indicators Annual Average Wind Speed 8.5 Clear Days 89 Partly Cloudy Days 147 Cloudy Days 130  Avg. Relative Humidity 74.0. To see stats by the month, go to For hurricane information go to ...

Historically, the place that gives this entire area its “name” is Melbourne, the oldest and best-known community on what Floridians call the “Space Coast”. Melbourne is right in the center of a long north-south corridor – coastal Brevard County – that is sandwiched between the St. Johns River Basin to the West and the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from Palm Bay and other smaller communities in the south through Melbourne, West Melbourne, and Melbourne Village in central Brevard to Viera, Cocoa and Titusville in the north. And it includes a half dozen beach communities on one long, fabulous barrier island stretching from Sebastian Inlet to Cape Canaveral. The location makes anywhere in the state very accessible. Even remote Key West is just a 5 or 6 hour drive. As to Outdoor and recreational opportunities, in my opinion it’s one of the best places in Florida. The beaches are not jammed, there is plenty of access and it’s not wall to wall development. The location makes anywhere in the st...

Lawmakers wrangle more Citizens rate relief TALLAHASSEE – Jan. 22, 2007 – Lawmakers turned their attention to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. on Sunday, wringing some additional rate relief for customers in the state pool after reaching a broader agreement over the weekend to roll back private homeowners’ insurance rates. A House-Senate compromise bill goes to the full Legislature today, the last day of the special session tackling runaway rates. It then goes to Gov. Charlie Crist, who on Sunday expressed optimism but didn’t tip his hand as to whether he intended to sign or veto the bill. A breakthrough in negotiations late Saturday brought a deal indicating that Floridians can expect to pay roughly 25 percent less on their insurance bills beginning this summer, although the amount could vary widely depending on location and which company provides the coverage. A cross-section of sample companies that the state Office of Insurance Regulation tested with provisions of the new le...

Things to consider when buying any waterfront vacation home. Is there a view? Views really do matter. An unobstructed Ocean view adds as much as 60% to the value of a home per the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics. Proximity to Golf courses or a park can add as much as 20% to a homes value. This is per an article by a much published author named Soren Anderson, a writer from Manchester College. Consider the recreational activities… The What and the When. For example in a Ski resort area, your options are limited due to weather considerations and the total amount of activities available is definitely less. *In the Keys and in most Florida Gulf or Atlantic communities, about the only thing you cannot do year round are mountain climbing and white water rafting. Nearby Medical and shopping options These are very important considerations. If there is an accident, how far away is a hospital? If you need groceries or restaurants, what is nearby? Oftentimes vacation properties can...

St, Augustine is a wonderful, quiet residential town located on the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean forty miles south of Jacksonville in an otherwise fairly undeveloped part of St Johns County. It has a population of 14,000 and occupies 8.4 square miles. The San Sebastian and Matanzas Rivers thread through it; three bridges lead to the barrier island beaches. To the west is farm country and the St. Johns river and lake system. Nearest cities: St. Augustine’s location may be delightfully small town, but other cities are not far away. For example, Downtown Jacksonville is only about 45 minutes North, Daytona Beach about an hour South, Gainesville about an hour West. Some smaller towns or sites are nearby: * Butler Beach, FL (3.3 miles) * St. Augustine Beach, FL (3.4 miles) * Crescent Beach, FL (5.0 miles) * Villano Beach, FL (8.6 miles), * Marineland, FL (11.9 miles) * Hastings, FL (15.2 miles)

NICHE BUSINESS possibilities The Companies that have anything to do with remodeling, are always in need of help for all phases of the jobs, drywall, painters, tilers, installers etc. If you have skills in these areas, there is opportunity to start your own business and lock in with the builders. The main thing is to be licensed, reliable and do good work. One thing you need to know is that help in these areas is hard to find---since rents are high most workers cannot live on even up to $15.00 per hour---so if you're thinking about a business other than retail that requires lot's of help, tyou may have a problem. There are also many other areas of opportunity. Remember most people that buy homes here need services--For instance the rental houses all need pest control, yard maintenance, cleaning people and a handy man. Generally what happens is an individual or couple start a lawn business. They then go to all the Real Estate offices etc and promote it plus run ads offering their...

Marco Island A few miles south of Naples lies the unique community of Marco Island, a thoroughly American (and to its critics, charmless) version of Venice, Italy, with a zillion mansions on a zillion canals. The picture is completed with a dense tourist quarter of very high-rise hotels and condos along much of the beach. But: Marco Island stands at the gateway to the fabled 10,000 Islands fishing and recreation area, the northern gateway to Everglades National Park. And that is what makes Marco unique. (More on that shortly.) This duality is part of what defines Marco Island today. Marco “on land” Marco “on land” is a mix of ultra-modern beachside resort hotels and condominium complexes with a lot of seasonal English, German, and wealthy Northeastern visitors, and single-family homes on all those canals, owned partly by full-time retiree residents or Northeastern snowbirds. Apart from the usual resort hotel offerings, Marco basically rolls up its sidewalks at night, but nearby Napl...

Jacksonville and Duval County Employment One of the best things about Jacksonville and Duval county is the abundance of career opportunities. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a corporate executive, Jacksonville has a position for you. Since there is no state or local income tax, you take home more. That combined with a low cost of living means a better lifestyle. Some statistics: • As of may 2004 per the US Department of labor in Jacksonville: • Number of workers-544,350 • Median hourly wage $13.07 to $16.70 • Entry $7.87 per hour • Experienced $21.11 average per hour • Annual wage $34,190 For specific figures by occupation go to http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_3600.htm#b00-0000 http://www.labormarketinfo.com/library/oes.htm The areas top 20 employers as of late 2003 per the Jacksonville Chamber of commerce http://www.myjaxchamber.com/business_information/jobs.asp#top20 • Naval Air Station Jacksonville U.S. Navy 19,537 • Naval Station Mayport U.S....

Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Employment Broward County (metropolitan Fort Lauderdale) has significantly outpaced the national economic growth rate. One of the best things about Ft Lauderdale and Broward county is the abundance of career opportunities. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a corporate executive, Ft Lauderdale has a position for you. Since there is no state or local income tax, you take home more. That combined with a low cost of living means a better lifestyle. Some statistics: • As of July 2005 per the State of Florida: • Number of workers-733,900 • Median hourly wage $13.16 to $17.06 • Annual wage $35,480 For specific figures by occupation go to http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_2680.htm#b00-0000 The areas largest employers South Florida's large employers are almost entirely service industries. From Supermarkets to Credit Unions, it is the service segment that keeps the area’s residents employed. SOME OF THE AREAS MAJOR EMPLOYERS: • Mem...

OVERVIEW MIAMI AND DADE COUNTY Miami like New York and Chicago is a city that never sleeps. Tropical weather, 15 miles of beaches, lots of sun, great nightlife mixed in with world-class restaurants is attractive to people of all ages. From downtown Miami and Miami beach to the neighborhoods of Coral Gables and Kendall on to Key Biscayne and then the city of Homestead, Dade county has a place for you. If you like big city life but like the idea of great weather and outdoor recreation, this could be the place. Although more expensive than most of Florida in comparison to New York or San Francisco it’s still a bargain. Things to consider: • The Miami metropolitan area (Miami-Dade County, which is governed as one entity) has more than 2.3 million residents. • Miami-Dade County has 35 Incorporated cities within its boundaries. • Miami is the financial capital of Latin America and the Caribbean with more than 500 multinational corporations, 40 bi-national chambers of commerce and 100 f...

What about Hurricane preparation for a rental home In the event of an impending Hurricane, a handyman or someone else can be hired to put up the storm shutters, bring in the lawn and patio furniture, etc for a fee-most agents have too many homes for them to do it individually. *This agreement should be set up in advance by the homeowner and the handyman. Your agent can find someone to do this.

What makes a good Vacation Rental • A clean, well-maintained home on a canal or open water. • Typically one of the bedrooms should have a set of twin beds if the renters are bringing children. • Good linens and towels and a backup set. This is especially important for monthly renters. • The washer, dryer and refrigerator should be newer if possible. • A good Television hooked up to cable (about $35.00 per month) and a CD or tape stereo system. • The kitchen must be completely outfitted. A microwave is also very important for renters. • Patio and/or Lawn-Deck furniture. If there is an upper deck, a table and chairs plus loungers. • On the waterside, a set of loungers and chairs.

Ft Myers and Lee County Investment opportunities Because of the fast growing base of people relocating to Florida along with the tourism industry, Florida offers three unique opportunities for investments. • 1031 tax exchanges • Buying a second home/condo and using it as a rental. • Buying a commercial piece of property, from duplexes to apartments, to triple net shopping malls. The above combined with an above average appreciation rate for Real Estate make Florida a place you definitely need to consider, regardless of your financial capabilities.. For more specific information on how 1031 exchanges work see. www.1031inflorida.com Renting your home out-To know • The best areas to rent are anywhere near the water and the best rents will start at open water locations, followed by homes/condos with a partial view to homes on canals. The neighborhood and the furnishings will also dictate the rent amounts you can get. In the Keys-the best situation was a home at least three bedrooms...

Palm Beach and Palm Beach County Investment opportunities Due to the incredible growth in tourism and people relocating to the South East coast of Florida, investments ( both commercial and rental) in this region should be a strong consideration. Aside from commercial investments the two situations most people are looking for in Florida are: • Vacation homes/2nd homes, both single family or Condos that can be rented out. • Generally a purchase involves a 1031 tax exchange or just someone looking for a second home in an area that he/she or the family will use occasionally. • A home to eventually retire to and rent in the meantime to help pay mortgage costs. As to Palm Beach County-where would the best rentals probably be located? The following is a partial list. • Delray Beach • West Palm beach, the inlets and the intracoastal • Homes and Condos on the Ocean, canals, inlets, golfcourses or bays (all locations) • Juno Beach • Boynton beach • Jupiter beach or intracoasta...