Florida Waterfront Homes for Sale

Beautiful Daytona Beach, FL Waterfront Homes for Sale

Florida's warm and sunny climate attracts more than just tourists, retirees and baseball teams in the springtime. People from all walks of life come to the Sunshine State for its attractive weather, high job growth rate, lack of personal income tax and relatively low cost of living. All of these factors and more help to make Florida one of the nation’s fastest growing states. Hundreds of miles of scenic coastline, Disney and the natural beauty of the Everglades all help to make tourism Florida's leading industry.

Agriculture is also big business and the State is the number one citrus producer in the United States. Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa are the three largest cities.

Florida beaches, whether quiet and secluded or bustling with activity, are ranked among the best in the country for beauty, accessibility and facilities. Families, couples, and active singles enjoy year-round sunshine, soft sand, and clear Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean waters.

No other state and very few countries can boast such an abundance of high-quality beaches. The 825 miles of sandy coastline fronting the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico or the Straits of Florida are among Florida’s most valuable natural resources.

Florida’s beaches have attracted 14 million people to the state, 75% of which live within ten miles of the coast. Both tourists and residents come to the beaches to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of its natural beauty. Others visit the beaches and nearby waters to engage in boating, fishing, diving, and other recreation. Florida's beaches are an integral part of the state's economy, attracting tourists from around the world. Beach tourism generates about $15 billion a year to the state’s economy

Additionally, Florida is blessed with over 1,700 rivers, 40 of them major ones.  Within the 7,700 lakes is the 2^nd largest freshwater lake in the United States, Lake Okeechobee, at 700 square miles

Florida ranks low in terms of the tax burden placed on residents. Based on income, property and other state and local tax collections, the Tax Foundation research organization ranks Florida among the lowest tax states -- only five states have a lower tax burden. Florida has no State Income tax.

Why Live in Florida?

1. Warm Weather: With the exception of Hawaii, Florida is one of the warmest places in the United States in winter.
2. No State Income Tax: There is no personal income tax in Florida, and don't forget to ask about the homestead tax exemptions.
3. Theme Parks & Attractions: Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Sea World...they are all in Florida.
4. Boating & Fishing:
Fishing season in Florida is all year long. Florida has its share of world record catches and more than its share of fish altogether. If you like to fish, saltwater or freshwater, this is the place.
5. Sandy Beaches:
Florida has a 1,197 mile coastline with 2,276 miles of tidal shoreline and 663 miles of beaches.
6. Vacation Lifestyle: Living in Florida is like being on vacation all year long. If you feel the urge to explore, you can easily visit the local destinations as well as hop on a cruise to the nearby Bahamas and all of the Caribbean.
7. Excellent Healthcare: Those concerned about top-notch healthcare will find that since Florida is a major retirement area, some of the best medical centers in the nation are here, with some of the latest technology and treatment programs available.
8. Housing Affordability: When the housing market bubble burst five years ago, Florida was one of the hardest hit states as a result of overbuilding and high unemployment. But things are improving in Florida, and quickly. The Florida housing market is recovering, and according to recent data, home prices are rising and the inventory of homes is declining. Still, the median single family home price is under $200,000.

Florida Geography:

·         Total Area - 58,560 Square Miles

·         Land Area - 54,252 Square Miles

·         Total Water Area - 4,308 Square Miles

·         Length North to South - 447 Miles

·         Width East to West - 361 Miles

·         Distance from Pensacola to Key West - 792 Miles by Road

·         Highest Natural Point - 345 Feet near Lakewood in Walton County

·         Geographic Center - 12 miles northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County

·         Coastline - 1,197 Statute Miles

·         Tidal Shoreline - 2,276 Statute Miles

·         Beaches - 663 Miles

·         Florida has more than 11,000 miles of rivers, streams & waterways

·         Longest River - St. Johns at 273 miles

·         Largest Lake - Lake Okeechobee at 700 square miles (the 2nd largest freshwater lake in the US)

·         Number of Lakes greater than 10 acres - Aprox. 7,700

·         Number of Islands Greater than 10 Acres - Aprox. 4,500 (Florida ranks 2nd in the nation; only Alaska ranks higher)

·         Population Rank - 4th in U.S. behind California, Texas & New York

·         Florida’s Population (2011) - 19,057,542

Average Annual Temperatures:

Summer:

·         80.5 (F) degrees (26.9 C) (North Florida)

·         82.7 (F) degrees (28.2 C) (South Florida)

Winter:

·         53.0 (F) degrees (11.7 C) (North Florida)

·         68.5 (F) degrees (20.3 C) (South Florida)

·         The six-month hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 and Floridians have learned to be ready when a storm threatens the area.

Other Interesting Florida Facts

·         Number of people who move to Florida each day - 1,000

·         Number of major commercial airports - 19

·         Number of international airports - 12

·         Number of deep water ports - 14

·         Miles of sand beaches - 1,200

·         Miles of coastline - 1,800

·         Number of golf courses - more than 1,250*

*Florida has more golf courses than any other state and Palm Beach County has more golf courses than any other county in the country