Follow the Birds & Fly South for the Winter: Consider Owning a Winter Home in Tampa

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For the vast majority of the country, the winter months equal cold, snowy mornings and high heating bills. If you’ve ever lived through this season, you know that after the beauty of the first snow fall, the appeal of winter dwindles quickly, and you hope spring arrives as soon as possible.

For those of you who are retired or have flexible schedules, the appeal of retreating to sunny Florida to replace the cold days with cold drinks and snowballs with sunglasses is something you should truly consider.

The ever popular “snowbird” is just that. Snowbirds follow their feathered friends and flock to our gorgeous state to live out winter with temperatures in the 70s and 80s. You might not see as many beach goers during the winter months, but Tampa boasts many benefits for those looking for a second home.

In the Tampa Bay, we offer endless options ranging from condos on the beach to traditional single-family homes in areas ranging from city life to suburban communities. The Tampa Bay is also home to many 55+ communities where retirees can enjoy life with added benefits like exterior maintenance being covered and community activities and amenities being provided for them.

If you’re wondering if buying a second home in Tampa is right for you, consider these 4 selling points:

1. As a vacation destination, you might be able to rent your home for the remainder of the year providing you income that more than covers the cost of utilities and monthly bills. Our rental market is hot, so many snowbirds are surprised at what tenants will pay.

2. The Tampa Bay provides access to fun for the entire family! Your loved ones might want to join you for a break from the cold, and while they’re here, you can take advantage of off-peak prices at local destinations and much shorter lines at neighboring attractions like Disneyworld and Legoland. Our art, entertainment, and dining options are open year round, and in the winter, you can often do more for less.

3. Florida offers tax benefits including no state taxes and a Homestead Exemption to anyone who claims their house as their primary residence. If you’re looking to live here for part of the year, you could benefit financially in many ways.

4. Tampa is easy to access by all modes of transportation. With an international and regional airport, many snowbirds find incredibly affordable plane tickets for both legs of their journey. For those who like cruises and boat trips, the Port of Tampa and multiple access points along the Gulf of Mexico make arriving or leaving for a vacation as easy as possible. And for those who want to drive, gas prices are usually lower here than many other states.

Tampa truly does offer something for everyone looking to spend their life in sunshine. As always, if you’re considering buying or selling a home, you should talk with a local real estate professional to fully understand all of your options. The Bogert Sales Team can help you anywhere in the Tampa Bay, from the beaches Clearwater or Sarasota to the rural communities of Zephyrhills and Lakeland, and everything in between, so please reach out if you want to discuss spending part of the year in our amazing city!

To learn more about owning a winter home in Tampa, click here.

Looking to sell or purchase a home in Florida? Also check out these great articles.

Written by Caitlin Jones

Caitlin (CJ) Jones is a local Realtor and advocate for social change. CJ strives to provide inclusive real estate support to all members of the Tampa Bay, and embraces all opportunities to increase understanding of all marginalized groups. CJ has a Master’s degree in Higher Education and aspires to always use her words to embrace the power of education. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BogertSalesTeam/

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Also, while we do our best to highlight LGBTQ-friendly destinations and businesses, info provided is based solely on personal experience and recommendations by community partners. We hope that nobody experiences discrimination or homophobia while visiting Florida, but we make no guarantees. Please inform us if you experience discrimination or homophobia while visiting any destination so we can make updates to our recommendations.