Europeans Again Interested in Florida Homes
Low prices, good service and a lot of sunshine recently led Susanne Solling, a Norwegian, to buy a three-bedroom home in Palm Bay, Florida, midway between Jacksonville and Miami.
She paid $165,000, plus $70,000 more for furniture and a pool. She said she could not be more thrilled with her investment.
“Florida is a wonderful place with lots of sun and nice, relaxed people,” said Ms. Solling, who plans to spend five to seven weeks a year in Florida. “We feel very welcome all over.”
She is not the only one. Although the global economic shift affected the real estate market in the state, as it has nearly everywhere in the United States, one significant countervailing force is being felt again: Foreign buyers’ interest in Florida.
“We have seen renewed interest in real estate, especially since late spring,” said Jennifer Howard, an agent in Destin, Florida. “We are anticipating even greater interest with the opening of the new airport.” Designed to cater to charter jets from Europe, the Panama City/Bay County International Airport is scheduled to open in the spring.
