Living In Florida

The state of Florida now has a population of more than 14 million people. It's estimated that more than one million Canadians are among them. When you take into account another million Canadian tourists visiting during the winter months, it won't be surprising if you meet many northerners while you live there. Because Florida is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, it stays warm during winter. Rarely does the temperature fall below freezing, although strangely, last year, it did. Many of the native wildlife were affected including Manatees and lizards. Overall however, you'll find temperatures ranging from about 60 to the mid 80's. Americans don't use the Celsius system so you might as well get used to the old Fahrenheit scale. In some areas, active weather threats come in the form of hurricanes, tornados and lightning. Florida storms are hot and humid yet they don't pack the same fierceness as a Canadian summer storm. This is because it is rare that very cool air will be colliding with hot air systems so far south. There are lots of storms however and lightning is a risk for anyone playing golf. Some areas such as the Panhandle region see rain accumulations of more than 60 inches per year, yet other areas such as in the Tampa Bay region see much less. Rain is frequent in Florida yet systems move on quickly leaving lots of sunshine time. After all, it is called the Sunshine State. People around the world are seeing Florida properties for sale as a timely investment.

Selling your Home in Mississauga?

The key to selling your Mississauga home quickly for the price you want is simple. We provide strong visibility on the Internet and when you combine that with exposure on Mississauga MLS listings and our network of buyers looking for Mississauga homes, you have a much better chance of selling well. It's all in the numbers. Call us now to get started.

Florida Real Estate News

Condo Associations Struggle to Survive amid Home Sell Off

A report in the Sun Sentinel on May 25th suggests Florida Condo Associations are struggling to stay afloat. Surveys indicate many associations are in bankruptcy and many owners are behind on condo fees.

Canadian Can now get Health Insurance in the States

Canadians with pre-existing health conditions who were thinking of a Florida Retirement, are now able to apply for health insurance in the US. The Globe and Mail has reported that a new Health Bill called the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, as part of the Affordable Health Care Act was passed by the US government, and will allow Canadians to receive US health insurance, after certain conditions are met.

Robert Keats, author of The Border Guide said, “When you move to the U.S., you actually get your Old Age Security; it’s not clawed back any more, so that’s $6,000 a year or $500 a month. Plus your Canada pension, a portion of that comes tax-free, and then you pay a lower tax on the part that you pay tax on. So between the Canada pension, tax reduction, and the Old Age Security not being clawed back any more, that is usually more than enough to cover health insurance for a Canadian in the U.S.

Other Florida communities: Beverly Hills, Boca Grande, Broward County, Cedar Key, Avon Park, Winter Park, Dunedin, Everglades City, Florida Keys, Destin, Daytona Beach, Englewood, Homestead, Delray Beach, Lakeland, Longboat Key, Key Largo, Kissimmee, Key West, Indian Shores, Lakewood Ranch, Land o Lakes, Kendall, Oviedo, Palm Harbor, Panacea, Ocala, North Naples, Neptune Beach, Siesta Key, Seaside, Sanibel Island, St Petes Beach, Sunrise, Tampa Bay, Royal Palm Beach, Winter Park, Valrico, Titusville, and Tarpon Springs.