Politics, Sunshine and Affordability Drive Florida Real Estate Market Growth

Central Florida realtors are reporting increased activity as more Americans consider political factors alongside traditional home-buying priorities. A survey from Realtor.com found that about one in four Americans say local or national politics play a role in where they decide to live.

Jonathan Cole, a realtor in Central Florida, says election results really affect real estate because people get hit in their pocketbooks, whether taxes go up or taxes go down, and the affordability of living in a house. One of the benefits that Central Florida has compared to areas like California, Illinois, New York and Massachusetts is that the region has a lot more affordable homes than buyers would find in those areas. Affordability is one of the draws bringing people to Central Florida from those states.

Traditional Factors Still Drive Most Relocation Decisions

The Realtor.com survey found that good schools and affordability remain the top reasons people choose to relocate. While political considerations are gaining attention, these economic fundamentals still guide most real estate transactions.

For real estate investors and developers, understanding these dual motivations helps inform property acquisition and development strategies. Properties located in areas with strong school districts and reasonable price points relative to household income levels tend to attract sustained buyer interest regardless of broader market fluctuations.

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Florida’s Lifestyle Appeal Attracts Diverse Buyer Groups

Jennifer Matacale, a Global Real Estate Advisor, says Florida has always been attractive to buyers. The state has great coastal communities with that small-town feel, but is close enough to Orlando for the theme parks and sporting events.

Matacale and her husband, Todd, have been in real estate for over 20 years. They say they have seen many people moving for community, the job market and the sunshine. These lifestyle factors complement the economic advantages that draw buyers to Florida properties.

The realtors note that, every October, they have consistently seen several snowbirds come down to Florida. The condo market is starting to rebound, suggesting improved confidence among buyers and sellers in the shared-ownership property sector.

Survey Data Reveals How Political Views Influence Housing Decisions

The Realtor.com survey, conducted in September 2024 among 2,203 adults, found that roughly one quarter, or 23%, of Americans say local and national politics influence their decision about where to live. The survey revealed several patterns about political alignment and housing choices.

Roughly four in 10 Americans said their political views align with the majority of people in their area. Interestingly, nearly twice as many, 14%, said that their most recent move brought them to an area more aligned with their political views, compared with less aligned at 8%. However, the vast majority said their most recent move brought no change in alignment.

Nearly one in five Americans considered moving due to a lack of local political alignment. This consideration adds another dimension to the traditional factors of affordability, location and property characteristics that buyers evaluate.

Voter Engagement And Political Affiliation Shape Location Preferences

The survey found that the more engaged a voter, the more politics influences their living choices. Roughly half of self-identified frequent voters feel politically aligned with people in their area. This is the case for just 30% of occasional voters and 18% of inactive voters.

Frequent voters also place more importance on living in a place where people share their political views. Roughly one in three frequent voters find it extremely important, compared with 17% of occasional voters and 8% of inactive voters.

On the political spectrum, liberal voters are slightly more likely to consider politics important when choosing where to live. About 30% of liberal voters say national politics are influential in choosing where to live, compared with 27% of conservative voters and 18% of moderate voters.

Similarly, 34% of liberal voters find it important to live in an area where most people share the same political views, compared with 27% of conservatives and 15% of moderates. Liberal voters are also more likely to consider moving due to misaligned political views. Roughly one in four liberal voters considered moving because their political views don’t align with people where they live, compared with 17% of the overall population.

Millennial Buyers Show Heightened Interest In Political Alignment

The survey revealed that millennial voters place the most importance on national and local politics when considering where to live. Many millennials are in the season of life where they are thinking more seriously about buying a home and putting down roots for the long haul.

One third of millennials cite that their decision about where to live is highly influenced by national politics, compared with 25% of Gen Z, 21% of Gen X and just 16% of baby boomers. Similarly, about one in three millennials, or 32%, said it was very or extremely important to live in a place where most people share their political views, compared with Gen X at 23%, Gen Z at 22%, and baby boomers at 16%.

Additionally, 28% of millennials, the most of any generation, have considered moving because their political views don’t align with the majority of people where they live, compared with 20% of Gen Z, 14% of Gen X and 10% of baby boomers. This demographic represents a significant portion of current home buyers and may influence where development and investment opportunities emerge.

Market Conditions May Support Buyer Activity in the Coming Months

Mortgage rates have fallen from recent highs and home prices continue to hover near year-ago levels. Buyers may be in a better position to buy in the coming months, and political outcomes could affect their choice to do so. For first-time buyers, many of whom are millennials, politics might be top of mind as they consider purchasing a home.

Experts say many factors, including affordability and the political climate, will continue to shape how confident buyers feel about their next move. Real estate professionals who understand these multiple decision drivers can better serve clients and identify investment opportunities.

Our advisors help clients assess how Florida’s tax advantages translate into actual financial benefits for property ownership and investment structures. From cost segregation studies that accelerate depreciation to entity structuring that maximizes after-tax returns, strategic planning makes a measurable difference in investment outcomes.

Make business decisions backed by insight, not speculation. Partner with our advisors to gain practical strategies for growth in Florida’s real estate market. Learn more about our real estate services.

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