WHAT A DIFFERENCE TWO YEARS MAKES! FLORIDA RISES FAST IN THE RANKINGS AS MARKET FLOURISHES

• Florida rises 15 places in ‘24/7 Wall St Best and Worst Run States in America’ rankings from 42nd in 2012 to 27th in 2014
• Florida placed fifth in a ranking of the best business climates in the US (Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index)
• Brookes & Co offering excellent opportunity to invest in growing market through The Club at Sunset Lake

Just two years ago, in 2012, prospects for the US’ ‘Sunshine State’ were less than bright, with skies having clouded over during the economic downturn and no real signs of a break in the grey. The state was placed at 42nd in the ‘24/7 Wall St Best and Worst Run States in America’ rankings, with economic recovery seeming little more than a glimmer of hope on the distant horizon. Yet just two years on, Florida has risen 15 places in the rankings to take its place at 27th. Having moved up ten places in the last year alone, the state has made confident strides in this important ranking that measures key financial ratios, as well as social and economic outcomes and in turn provides a thorough measure of the monetary health of America’s states, some would say ‘the state of the states’.

Yet these are not the only encouraging signs for Florida as it progresses in leaps and bounds. Debt per capita has dropped to $1,952 – the ninth lowest in the country – and the state has been awarded credit ratings of AAA by S&P and Aa1 by Moody’s. The Tax Foundation’s State Business Tax Climate Index has also recognised Florida’s progress of late, placing it fifth in a ranking of the best business climates in the US. Though the current unemployment rate, at 7.2%, remains a little above the national average, it has contracted massively over the past two years and Florida is today seen by many as an excellent place to do business.

Florida is not, however, merely a place in which to work, although many do commute to the region for business purposes, many others relocate to the state for employment reasons in a permanent move that in turn has a knock-on effect on the domestic property market. For according to the 24/7 Wall St report, 3.2% of Florida’s population had migrated to the state since mid-2010, as Philip Button, Managing Director of leading property investment company, Brookes & Co, explains,

“Some 600,000 people from other states and from overseas have moved to Florida within the last few years and this influx has put pressure on the region’s housing resource. Professionals moving into the area seek out accommodation that meets their standards and this in turn provides excellent opportunities, growing opportunities as the workforce grows, for investment in the domestic property market.”

Brookes &Co’s recently launched Florida project, The Club at Sunset Lake is situated in Orlando and offers exactly this kind of opportunity to invest in the flourishing domestic market. The project has been designed to meet the needs of Florida residents who are seeking rental properties of a superior standard, whilst being close to all amenities and boasting facilities of the highest quality.

The luxurious facilities, including an exclusive club house and swimming pool, fitness centre and spa, sports courts and cycle paths, as well as a lake-front park and picnic area, ensure that The Club at Sunset Lake makes the most of its beautiful setting. Properties are spacious, the larger properties also with garages, and range through two, three and four bedroom properties.

Supporting the development of Florida’s high spec housing offering, the opportunity speaks to the strength of Florida’s recovery, with investors looking to be part of the Sunshine State’s future thanks to the progress that it has made in recent years. The state does still have some way to go, however, with house prices remaining some 16% lower than they were in 2009, according to 24/7 Wall St. With prices are rising, from a property investor’s perspective, this is good news, as depressed prices are likely to rise back to (and beyond) their former peak, meaning that those putting their money into the project can grow their capital over a period of several years, enjoying strong yields while they do so.

Properties at The Club at Sunset Lake are priced from £96,950 and the project offers a 5-year rental guarantee with a 6% return after all costs.