South Florida is a perennially alluring destination to call home. Having long shaken the retiree-paradise label, the region is welcoming millennials and families in droves. The balmy weather, the slew of amenities, the relaxed lifestyle – they all come together with a South Florida address. And yet, moving to the area often presents its own challenges, which a skilled real estate professional can help efface.
Two such talented brokers, who have assisted many clients’ relocation to South Florida, are Mark L. Nestler and John R. Poletto, founders of Nestler Poletto Sotheby’s International Realty with offices in Delray Beach and Boca Raton. Below, they shared their insight and advice on purchasing a new home or a vacation residence in South Florida.
What are the destinations in South Florida that attract the most new comers? What makes them stand out from the rest?
Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Highland Beach continue to attract new buyers to waterfront properties both on the Intracoastal Waterway (including navigable canals) and the Atlantic Ocean. Boca Raton and Delray Beach offer a large assortment of country clubs, providing an active lifestyle in all price ranges, and western area family communities.
Additionally, families have been coming down to enjoy the planned urban developments, which include added security with gated developments and recreational amenities along with the local parks. Other areas of the country can be compared to watching a black-and-white TV, and South Florida is more like watching in full hi-definition color.
3656 NW 52nd ST, Boca Raton, FL 33496
You are both established names in South Florida with decades of real estate experience. How has the region and its appeal changes over the years?
In the late 1970s, the population for this area consisted mainly of secondary buyers coming down for 2- to 3-month vacation periods. The biggest change has been the influx of people moving to this area for year-round living. The development of beautiful communities with parks and recreational facilities complete with architectural guidelines has created esthetically desirable communities.
Year after year, Florida ranks among the top states people are moving to. How many people have you helped relocate to Florida in the first quarter of 2018? Do you see any trends in numbers shaping up in recent years?
The number of buyers moving to South Florida continues to grow. The new tax laws have been one of the strongest contributing incentives for people to move to Florida, as well as the desire to live in our sub-tropical climate and get away from the cold weather and climates in the Midwest and the Northeast. We do not see any reason for this trend to change anytime soon.
1100 SE Atlantic Drive, Lantana, FL 33462
Many consider South Florida – and Florida in general – as a retirees’ destination. Yet, the profile of new comers is a bit more complex than this. What type of people do you see increasingly settling in South Florida?
More families are moving to our area for year-round living. In addition to the retirees moving down, we have seen a tremendous increase in buyers who are still working and buying properties as secondary and vacation destinations.
What is the most propitious time of the year to move to South Florida?
Families are moving down in the late spring or early summer in time for their children to enroll in schools, while secondary buyers continue to move in the late fall. The real answer as to the best time to move here is as soon as they can sell their northern properties.
Moving to a new region is hard, especially when one is not really familiar with it. And, South Florida is famed for its beaches and lifestyle. But what else should new residents be aware of? How can realtors make this process easier?
New residents should be contacting the local municipalities for the amenities each area provides for their residents. Churches, synagogues and schools offer tremendous opportunities to meet their neighbors and local Realtors are the perfect conduit to becoming acquainted with these connections.
18703 Long Lake Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33496
Have you had clients who have purchased property before seeing it prior to relocation? How can a realtor be most helpful in such situations?
With the ease of travel, and the use of the Internet, we rarely see individuals moving without reviewing prior to purchasing.
What advice do you have for people looking to move to South Florida this year?
Don’t wait! Contact an experienced Realtor and share your needs and wants as early as possible.
