Pensacola, Florida: A Great Area to Invest in Real Estate

You may not think of yourself as a real estate investor, but anyone who owns a home is one, and you should think of it that way!

World-class beaches –- reasonable prices –- great restaurants –- beautiful beach homes to visit! So I and many others are sold on the area –- but what about the financial realities of investing in Florida, especially at this time?

The Florida panhandle has a vibrant and steady tourist economy, with low unemployment. Access is easy to most areas and will be even more so in the future with interstate and airport expansions across the Gulf Coast.

I believe that the Pensacola, Florida is an excellent place to invest in real estate, and that real estate values, though flat right now, are likely to move sharply upward, particularly for oceanfront and Gulf view vacation homes. But hey, that’s my opinion! Here are some other folks’ opinions on the area.

American Express says that Northwest Florida is one of its Top Ten tourist destinations in the United States. The Florida panhandle is second only to the Orlando area in Florida tourism. Northwest Florida beaches are world-class, pulling in over seven million tourists each year –- more than any other East Coast vacation area.

Real estate prices are lower than during the boom year of 2005. But I am expecting closings to increase, as more and more deals come on the market.  Many vacation homes are priced below the cost of constructing a replacement. If you are looking for an investment to hang on to for the next five years, the time to buy is today. We are still very undervalued compared to other parts of Florida.

Long-term financial and population trends continue to favor Florida, whose economy is fundamentally solid and diverse. The state's population is forecasted to increase by three-fourths (to 28.6 million) by 2030. Its population growth rate regularly outperforms that of the rest of the United States: over the past forty years, Florida's yearly rate of growth has outpaced the national average by 100%. By 2010 Florida will move past New York to become the country's third most populous state.

Florida's solid, diverse economy regularly outpaces the U.S. mean, with a strong tourism industry, lots of high-tech jobs and a rapidly growing high-tech manufacturing sector. A strong military presence with a number of active and expanding bases provides a stabilizing effect to the area's economy. The Pensacola and surrounding counties has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Florida and the United States.

Florida is the commercial center of the Americas. Geographic location, as well as financial and political stability, places the State at the heart of trade and commerce throughout the region. Vacation residence sales to retiring persons remain robust, and Florida is a preferred spot for retirement relocation.

Northwest Florida’s beaches are the state’s second most popular tourist destination, behind only Orlando. Northwest Florida's beaches draw over seven million tourists each year, more than any other stretch of beach on the East Coast.

Beaches in Northwest Florida rate as some of the most spectacular in the country and the world.

The Florida panhandle enjoys a temperate climate, with mild winters, lots of sunshine and blue skies. The Florida panhandle is located in U.S. Climate Zone 8, the same climate zone as famed vacation areas such as Hilton Head (SC), Amelia Island (FL), Kiawah Island (SC) and St. Simons and Sea Island (GA). Pensacola’s beauty and diversity is well-known with a distinctive geography, culture and cuisine that is unique.

The Florida panhandle attracts approximately seven million visitors each year. According to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism and visitor agency, 33 percent of these tourists are from families with incomes over $75,000 and 16 percent are from families with annual incomes over $100,000.

In the quickly shifting economic climate, it is important to research and ask questions before making any investment choice. Yet the truth is that Northwest Florida is a rarity, with a mild climate and gorgeous, mostly empty beaches. As you sit on the pristine, white sand with your feet in the emerald clear Gulf water, with pelicans and gulls wheeling overhead and dolphins cruising by – you can see that there are some very important intangibles here. The Emerald Coast is a very special place –- and they're not creating any more beach property!

Click here if you want to see some indicators and statistics on Florida real estate.

Now let’s take a closer look at the specific communities surrounding Pensacola:

Pensacola Real Estate

Pace Real Estate

Milton Real Estate

Gulf Breeze Real Estate

Pensacola Beach Real Estate

Perdido Key Real Estate