Recently, I had the opportunity to live in Florida. As someone who lived in Ohio for my entire life beforehand, I didn’t know what to expect with regards to the climate, culture, or what football team to root for. For anyone looking for a change of pace, here is how to buy a new home and start fresh in Florida.
Why Move to Florida
One of the things I miss most about Florida is the fact that you won’t have to worry about filing state taxes every year. Florida is only one of seven states that do not collect state income tax, the other six include: Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Naturally this means that those who move from states with high income taxes like New York can potentially bracket thousands or even millions of dollars. Furthermore, buying a new home in Florida and declaring it as your primary “homestead” residence can grant you a $50,000 exemption of value for property tax purposes.
Pasco County, Florida
One of the most beautiful places in Florida has got to be Land O’ Lakes, located in Pasco County. There are 31,996 people living in Land O’ Lakes as of 2015. The city enjoys about 248 sunny days a year, making it one of the most pleasant places to visit. Land O’ Lakes is just a half hour north of Tampa and about an hour and a half to the west of Orlando. Land O’ Lakes is a self-sustaining community with plenty of new single family homes waiting for buyers; your new home is waiting for you.
How to Buy a New Home in Florida
Looking for a new home is difficult, especially if you are unfamiliar with what to expect once you get there: this should help you figure out how to buy a new home. A survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that 65% of buyers wanted a home with central air conditioning; I agree completely, as I would not have been able to survive the heat without air. In 2013, 89% of new home buyers bought a home with a laundry room and claimed that storage, space, and appliances are top priorities now. Of the 1,500 Millennials looking to buy homes, 66% preferred suburban locations verses the 24% who favored rural and 10% who liked central metro area living. For modern families looking for modern homes, Florida is ripe for the picking.