11 FL Cities Ranked Desirable by U.S. News & World Report

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Sarasota Ranks Highest in Sunshine State

ORLANDO, Fla. – April 26, 2019 – The choice location for a home involves many personal variables, and a buyer willing to relocate may have very different feelings when deciding between Chicago and Miami.

However, U.S. News & World Report analyzed data from major U.S. cities to create its “best places to live” list for this year. To do so, it considered jobs, home values, quality of life issues and net migration to create a list of the “best places to live.”

In Florida, five cities were in the top 50, 10 in the top 100, and, with Miami at No. 113, 11 cities in the complete top 125 list. At No. 18, Sarasota ranked highest in the Sunshine State.

U.S. News & World Report posted a complete methodology on its website. The Job Market Index, for example, accounted for 20 percent of a total score. The Housing Affordability Index (Value) accounted for 25 percent. Quality of Life, at 30 percent, included data on crime rates, healthcare, education, commuting and “well-being.”

Top 50 Florida cities in U.S. News & World Report rankings

18. Sarasota: 7.0 Overall Score – 7.4 Quality of Life – 5.7 Value

25. Melbourne: 6.9 Overall Score – 7.4 Quality of Life – 6.1 Value

35. Fort Myers: : 6.8 Overall Score – 6.5 Quality of Life – 5.2 Value

37. Pensacola: 6.7 Overall Score – 6.5 Quality of Life – 6.5 Value

42. Jacksonville: 6.7 Overall Score – 6.6 Quality of Life – 6.3 Value

Top 100 Florida cities in U.S. News & World Report rankings

56. Tampa: 6.6 Overall Score – 6.9 Quality of Life – 5.7 Value

59. Lakeland: 6.6 Overall Score – 6.9 Quality of Life – 6.0 Value

63. Orlando: 6.5 Overall Score – 6.8 Quality of Life – 5.1 Value

78. Port St. Lucie: 6.4 Overall Score – 6.9 Quality of Life – 4.7 Value

99. Daytona Beach: 6.1 Overall Score – 6.7 Quality of Life – 4.5 Value

Top 125 Florida cities in U.S. News & World Report rankings

113. Miami: 5.8 Overall Score – 6.9 Quality of Life – 2.9 Value

For a full list of the top 125, visit the U.S. News & World Report website. The rankings can be adjusted based on desired population size, average rent, median home price and commute times.

The top five U.S. cities on the magazines list this year are Austin, Texas; Denver; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Des Moines, Iowa.

© 2019 Florida Realtors®

BRENT LEATHWOOD, MBA

LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER | BK 3300751

CROSS BORDER REALTY LLC | CQ1046895
2100 CONSTITUTION BLVD. #207
SARASOTA, FL, 34231
(941) 882-2995
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3 Big Mistakes Buyers make:

  1. 1. NOT KNOWING THE NEIGHBORHOOD...ContinuedReal estate always has been and always will be a local business. Know your neighborhood is a cardinal rule in this business. A real estate professional knows what is going on in their local market area. Hire a knowledge, local professional. When we see folks wandering around with a notebook and a list of questions, we know they are the most likely to make a costly mistake. A PROFESSIONAL Realtor, (please note the word professional), can spend 15 minutes listening to your needs and wants, and probably rule out 90% of the local market options, and focus your attention, on the 3 or 4 or 5 communities that will meet your needs, and make sense from both a financial and lifestyle point of view. I am amazed at how many people from out of State, go it alone, end up buying in the wrong community, and come to regret it. I meet people like this everyday, and everyone single one of them will say to me: “I wish we had met you first.”
  2. 2. GETTING STUCK IN AN HOA NIGHTMARE...ContinuedHome owners association nightmares are the stuff of legend in our State. Do not buy the wrong property in the wrong community. A knowledgeable real estate professional can explain to you upfront, the ins and outs of the HOA regulations of the community you are considering, and help you avoid 99% of these potential pitfalls. This is another very costly mistake.
  3. 3. THINKING YOU DO NOT NEED A REALTOR WHEN BUYING A NEW HOME...ContinuedEverybody knows you need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a resale home. Many do not know, you also need a Realtor to represent you, when buying a new home. The new home sales person in the model home works for the Builder, not the Buyer. They are paid to look out for their employer’s interests, not yours. You will not save $1 by going it alone. You will lose money. A lot of money. One of our largest local builders reported 872 annual sales, of which, 762 were handled by Realtors representing the Buyer. That is 87% of the total. The Builder has already factored paying a finder’s fee into the price. The Builder will not rebate $1 of this money back to you. Builders laugh under their breath, when Buyers try this negotiating tactic, even though they will politely agree with you. Professional representation costs you $0, why would you fend for yourself, in a market you know almost nothing about? Buyers know less than 20% of what they actually need to know, to get a great deal. Having gone through the new home buying process hundreds of times with clients, we know all the pitfalls to avoid, and how to make the process go smoothly. Do not go it alone, get professional representation, it costs you $0. Not doing this is the most costly of the 3 mistakes. But everyone has heard the old saying, you can lead a horse to water. We are in the business of helping our customers solve a problem. Our ability to do that, is the sole reason we have a thriving business. We are here to help you through the entire process, and get a great deal.

4 Big Mistakes Investors make:
  1. INCOME... ContinuedThe rental income does not justify the $/sq. ft. purchase price.
  2. EXPENSES... Continued The monthly expenses are too high, relative to the property type and rental income produced.
  3. CAP RATE... Continued The capitalization rate is too low to justify the investment.
  4. HOA REGS... Continued The home owners association regulations are too restrictive, or do not permit the intended use. Frequently overlooked or glossed over by some sales people, the long run financial consequences are catastrophic if a mismatch occurs.
Avoid Costly $$$ Mistakes: Hire Brent. Costs you $0.