With places like Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Bradenton, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers and Naples (just to name a few) the West Coast of Florida, the Gulf Coast, continues to grow in popularity with British visitors and homebuyers in Florida.

If you are visiting the west coast here are 10 great spots to check out…

1. Weeki Wachee (just north of Spring Hill)

Long before Disney filmed The Little Mermaid, real swimming women with costumed tails were entertaining in the crystal-clear waters here. It can’t be beat for Old Florida fun.

*Phone: 352-596-2062; Web: weekiwachee .com. Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee.

2. Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa — Built in 1897 by a railroad tycoon and situated in a private waterside enclave in the Bellair community of Clearwater, it’s one of the last of the great American Victorian "Grand Dame" resorts. The 246-room resort includes a golf club with an 18-hole PGA Donald Ross-designed course, tennis club, a spa and a beach club on Sand Key. Historical tours take place daily.

*Phone: 727-373-3000; Web: belleview biltmore.com. Address: 25 Belleview Blvd., Clearwater.

Authors Note: I have personally stayed at this hotel with my family and we had a wonderful time. The hotel is full of character and history (the little museum is a must visit) and they have a shuttle to a private beach area on the Gulf.

3. Warm Mineral Springs — Halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers, Warm Mineral Springs is believed to be the "Original Fountain of Youth" sought by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon and is Florida’s only truly warm spring open to the public.

People come here believing that the high mineral content will help with muscular problems, arthritis and rheumatism. The water has five times more mineral content than other famous spas in the world, including Hot Springs, Ark., and Baden Baden, Germany.

*Phone: 941-426-1692; Web: warm mineral springs.com. Address: 12200 San Servando Ave., North Port.

4. Euphemia Haye — On Longboat Key, this beauty is always mentioned when romantic restaurants are spoken of. A terrific wine list and a classically trained chef/owner send this one toward the top of our best bets for sweet talk over supper. Hummus, fried green tomatoes and snails are fitted together on the menu, giving it an eclectic flair. Pricey, but the Hayloft upstairs accommodates guests with things such as pizza, salads and small plates at a smaller price.

*Phone: 941-383-3633; Web: euphemiahaye.com. Address: 5540 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.

5. Gasparilla Inn — One of the longest-surviving resort hotels in Florida, the Gasparilla Inn was constructed in 1913 for wealthy Northerners such as John D. Rockefeller. The inn and cottages are a favorite hangout for the Bush family, former President Bush, wife Barbara, and sons George W. and Jeb.

*Phone: 941-964-2201; Web: the-gasparilla-inn.com. Address: 500 Palm Ave., Boca Grande.

6. Sponge docks and markets in Tarpon Springs — Greek immigrants came to Tarpon Springs in the early 1900s to continue their trade of sponge diving. St. Nicholas Boat Line (727-942-6425) takes visitors out to watch a sponge diver submerge and return with a sponge. Shops sell a variety of sponges, and the streets are lined with Greek tavernas.

*Phone: 727-943-2164; Web: spongedocks.net. Address: Dodecanese Boulevard, Tarpon Springs.

7. The Don CeSar Beach Resort — Known as the Pink Palace or The Don, the historic 1928 landmark on St. Pete Beach has its own royal shade of pink paint, and when it’s time for a spruce-up, it takes 12,000 gallons and nine months to apply it over the face of its 10 stories. Once a playground for celebrities such as Clarence Darrow and F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Loews Don CeSar Beach Resort continues to woo guests with gracious service.

*Phone: 1-800-282-1116; Web: doncesar.com. Address: 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach.

8. Bern’s Steak House — Bern Laxer’s 52-year-old pantheon dedicated to carnivores and oenophiles remains one of the top tickets on the west coast. "We do things differently here" is their motto, and yes, they do — from hand-cut steaks to salad sprouts grown in the kitchen.

A new addition is a cheese cave where they age, on the premises, fine cheeses to go with their phone-book-sized list of fine wines. Fresh fish is on the menu, and it’s swimming in tanks in the back before you order.

Book the upstairs room for dessert and cognacs (a separate dessert wine list, house-roasted coffee and exotic teas are here) after your meal. Diners are offered a kitchen tour if they ask.

*Phone: 813-251-2421; Web: bernssteakhouse.com. Address: 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa.

9. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens — The 8 1/2 -acre gardens are known for their living collection of more than 6,000 orchids.

*Phone: 941-366-5731; Web: sel by.org. Address: 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota.

10. The Seminole Gulf Railway’s Dinner Train in Fort Myers, where a murder mystery is performed during the ride, is sheer camp. The food’s not bad, either. Reservations are required. All aboard!

*Phone: 239-275-8487; Web: Semgulf.com. Address: 2805 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.

If you have visited the Gulf Coast and can recommend any other great places to visit while here on holiday, please post them in the comments section for others to read about.

Florida’s existing home sales remain level in July 2008

ORLANDO, Florida. – Aug. 25, 2008 – Single-family existing home sales rose in Florida for the first time in more than two years: While only six more homes sold in July 2008 than in July 2007, it could indicate stabilization in Florida’s housing sector, according to the latest housing statistics released by the Florida Association of Realtors® (FAR).

11,498 existing homes sold statewide last month

11,492 homes sold in July 2007

The last time statewide sales of existing homes outpaced the previous year’s sales figure was in the year-end 2005 report, according to FAR records, when sales were up 2 percent over year-end 2004.

Florida’s median sales price for existing homes last month was $193,600; a year ago, it was $238,900 for a 19 percent decrease.

But, looking back to July 2003, the statewide median sales price for single-family homes has increased 18 percent over the five-year-period, according to FAR records – at that time, the statewide existing-home median price was $164,000.

In a year-to-year comparison for condos, 3,375 units sold statewide compared to 3,641 in July 2007 for a 7 percent decline. The statewide existing-condo median sales price last month was $168,500; in July 2007 it was $194,100 for a 13 percent decrease.

More than half of Florida’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) reported increased sales of existing homes in July; seven MSAs also showed gains in condo sales. Realtors around the state reported increased business activity, including more telephone calls, more home showings and a rise in pending sales.

Read the full FAR article

Call British Homes Group Today for help with purchasing or financing your Orlando area dream home!

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Most adults think of Orlando, Florida and immediately visualize throngs of children, long lines and high priced food and fun at Disney.  While this demographic rings true, it’s only one part of Orlando’s opportunity net.  66% of adults visiting the city do so without children (whether for vacation or business conventions).  Orlando is a cultural mecca that is about a lot more than just Disney’s tourist dollars.  The city offers an opera company, two fantastic museums and a growing nightlife scene. 

If theme park nostalgia IS your thing, an adult version might include taking a trip to the Animal Kingdom.  This adventure includes an African safari from a Land Rover styled truck where animals can approach as close as they like and guides offer educational information about animal life in Africa.  Another satisfying adult theme park adventure can be found at Discovery Cove, where the admission includes all you can drink beer!  Although the swill is a bonus, the real reason to visit the park is a swim with the dolphins.  We’ve all thought about it at one time or another and likely dismissed it as silly – we’re here to tell you, it’s worth it!  The dolphins at Discovery Cove are treated with the utmost care and are incredibly charming to their landloving brethren. 

No one could have predicted it, but the Orlando area is growing in popularity as an adult destination – and quickly!  If you’re looking for some fun in the Florida sun, think about visiting Orlando, Florida.

Call British Homes Group Today for help with purchasing or financing your Orlando area dream home!

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July marked the second best sales month this year for Orlando home re-sales.  Second only to June, 1,436 transactions were recorded versus June’s 1,489 Orlando home sales.  For the Orlando market June is typically a peak month so the slight decrease comes as no surprise.  Another indicator suggesting market stabilization is the July 08 to July 07 comparison.  July marked the second month in a row where the year over year decline was less than 10% (it was just less than 6%).  Orlando’s core real estate market – Orange and Seminole counties show a 26.7 percent increase in homes under contract as compared to a year ago.  This bodes well for sales throughout the rest of 08. 

The median price of Orlando homes, townhomes and condos was down from 2007 by 21% (at $207,500), but again this is no surprise based on the fact that the median price peaked at $264,436 in June of last year even though local market sales peaked in August of 2005. 

There were 24,742 properties listed for sale in the Orlando Multiple Listing Service in July.  This was up in a month to month comparison but was 5% lower than the inventory in July 07.  The third month in a row to show year over year inventory decline.

Average days on the market for July 08 was 117 days.  This is declining but still well above 07 numbers.

Average interest rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage in July was 6.4%.  The highest rate so far in 2008, but lower than those of a year ago.

For more information about Orlando real estate or Orlando home financing, please contact the British Homes Group.

Property in America: In the land of opportunities

The US housing market crash dwarfs our own – but now could be the time to buy, says Graham Norwood of the Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk)

The 2008 crash in British housing prices began in a land far, far away – the USA, to be precise. But whereas our slump shows no signs of bottoming out, across the Atlantic it’s a different story. Property prices are now so low that for some, investing in real estate seems irresistible. Sheila Harrison, a commercial property agent from Bedfordshire, has just bought a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in Naples, on the west coast of Florida, for $200,000 (£100,015). This was only 50 per cent of its value in late 2007, but she reckons its price will bounce back in the years to come."It’s not actually an investment," says Harrison, a commercial property agent who lives in Ampthill and runs her business in Luton. "It’s a second home in a place I love and I’m not going to rent it out. But I’ve studied the US market and prices aren’t going to go down forever."It isn’t just a case of the pendulum swinging. "The dollar-sterling exchange rate is fabulous and prices in the US are so low," she says. "For £100,000, I’ve got a home that was built for domestic buyers, so it has a top specification. The developer needed to sell quickly, so I’ve got a bargain."She is not the only Briton defying the gloomy headlines about the American market….read the full article here

Next Florida Property Auction – October 25th 2008. Register Now for property details and online orientation webinar on October 7th at 7pm UK time.

Is American misfortune British Luck?  It would seem so at the moment – the perfect storm has combined to allow British investors interested in Florida real estate an incredible opportunity.  A weak dollar, a crash in Orlando home prices and rapidly increasing oil prices make Orlando real estate purchases a bargain for foreign investors.  For some Orlando real estate sellers, foreign investment is a welcome phenomena.  This injection of overseas buyers is helping to keep many of the Florida markets alive and will ultimately aid in tipping the US real estate scales back to health.

Lee Weaver of British Homes Group was recently interviewed by Hot Property Overseas.  Weaver notes that 2008 business at British Homes Group is up threefold as compared to the last half of 07 thanks to British investors.  His advice for UK real estate buyers?

"One thing UK buyers of US property should do is familiarize themselves with the buying process, which is quite different from the UK’s solicitor-based one."

Weaver notes some basic differences:

• Typically you don’t need a solicitor, instead you have a closing or title company
• The American MLS System is different from the British system in that agents share the data and split commissions acting as an incentive to show prospective buyers a wider range of properties
• The lending culture in the US is different, home loans bought through mortgage brokers often get sold to other financial institutions – often times you don’t know who owns the loan

Lee believes the window of opportunity is still open but narrowing – those who have been thinking about getting into the Florida market should not wait to investigate!

Call British Homes Group Today for help with purchasing or financing your Orlando area dream home!

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Recently four representatives from the Florida Association of Realtors visited London with a message for British second home buyers – the Florida market has some incredible real estate steals.  According to Tallahasse-based Florida Association of Realtors Vice President, John Sebree,

"The British are extremely important to the Florida real estate market.  We’re here to tell people that prices in Florida have never been lower and that there’s a huge inventory to choose from."

Right now Britons have very strong buying power with the offset of the pound to weak dollar.  This is the second British trade mission initiated by Florida Realtors in the last four months.  They are meeting with media outlets to pitch Florida real estate stories as well as trying to forge trade and referral relationships with British real estate companies.  The group is also focused on working with the US government to help loosen visa restrictions prohibiting foreigners from living in Florida second homes for longer than six months of the year.

Some Brits are concerned about the high property taxes in Florida, but as compared to several other US states the taxes are relatively low.  Insurance is also higher than anyone would like, but has stabilized in past years.   

According to the group, "buying in Florida is pretty much a no-brainer"! 

We agree!  The Orlando real estate team at British Homes Group is unique in that they employ British and American professionals who are experts in both UK and US property purchase and financing procedures.  Through co-brokerage arrangements and the availability of the Florida Property Multilist, they have access to one of the largest property databases available in Florida.

The British home loan division can also help the British home buyer with access to fixed and flexible mortgages in a variety of currencies.

Call British Homes Group Today for help with purchasing or financing your Orlando area dream home!

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2008 Luxury Brand Status Index Survey Rates Sotheby’s International Realty Nation’s Most Prestigious Real Estate Brand

Despite the many misconceptions attached to living in Florida, prospective buyers from Britain still find Florida property a hot commodity!  Fun in the Sunshine State, especially the Orlando marketplace is key for many British second home buyers.  Many believe the free fall in the Orlando real estate market has stopped and stabilization is starting to occur.  In just the last two months the Florida market as a whole has shown vast signs of improvement.  Now is one of the best times for British second home buyers to think about getting into the Orlando real estate market.

According to a 2007 National Association of Realtors survey, 1/3 of all licensed Realtors have worked with an overseas buyer.  Of these overseas buyers, 1/3 were from Europe with 12% being British.  Lots of Brits buying second homes look to Florida as an investment in their future.  The sunny lifestyle meets their needs and the stable tourism economy typically ensures the demand for Orlando FL rental properties.  So those homes have the potential to generate income from short term rentals while British families are not using them.

Due to many subtle differences in British real estate process versus US real estate transactions, it is imperative British buyers work with Realtors and lenders well seasoned in both markets.  The Orlando real estate team at British Homes Group is unique in that they employ British and American professionals who are experts in both UK and US property purchase and financing procedures.  Through co-brokerage arrangements and the availability of the Florida Property Multilist, they have access to one of the largest property databases available in Florida.

The British home loan division can also help the British home buyer with access to fixed and flexible mortgages in a variety of currencies.

Call British Homes Group Today for help with purchasing or financing your Orlando area dream home!

Orlando Area MLS Search