The best times to visit Florida
Florida has a lot to offer vacationers: year-round sunshine, gorgeous beaches, fun-filled attractions and more. According to Sun-worshiping vacationers flock to Florida during every month of the year, but if you’re hoping to ensure a great travel experience — and avoid crowds, hurricanes and high prices — here are a few things to consider. What to expect each season in Florida Winter December, January and February are great months to visit Florida. While much of the country is battling cold weather and winter storms, the Sunshine State boasts temperatures in the 60s and low 70s in the northern region, and 70s and low 80s in South Florida. Rainy days are rare this time of year, making it a great time to explore. You’ll enjoy fewer crowds than other times of the year, but keep in mind that Florida has roughly one million seasonal residents (aptly named “snowbirds” who flock to Florida during the colder months) so you’re not likely to have the beach all to yourself. Spring Weather-wise, March, April and May are some of the best months in Florida. Sunny days abound and rain levels are minimal. Unsurprisingly, it’s also a busy time of year for tourists, so be prepared for higher-than-average hotel costs and plenty of people in and around popular tourist attractions. If you plan to visit beach towns like Panama Beach and Daytona Beach but don’t want to relive your college years, avoid March and April. These towns, and a few others on the Florida Panhandle, turn into spring break hotspots for young revelers from around the country. Summer Some like it hot, and if that’s you, visit Florida in June, July and August. Temperatures are regularly in the 80s and 90s, with high humidity and frequent afternoon storms. Temperatures can be even hotter inland, where you won’t have ocean breezes to cool you off. Speaking of storms, it’s important to note that the Atlantic hurricane season traditionally begins in June, so be sure to pay attention to the weather forecast before and during your trip. Despite the soaring temperatures and hurricane risk, summer is still a popular time for visitors, especially families. Fall Autumn brings slightly lower temperatures and smaller crowds, making it a great time to visit. Across the state, you’ll find fall festivals, from the Hotel rates start to drop after Labor Day, making the fall a more affordable time to visit. It’s important to remember that the Atlantic hurricane season runs through the end of October, with the most activity occurring between August and October. If you’re traveling to Florida during any part of hurricane season, it’s smart to buy travel insurance. The best time to visit Florida theme parks The Orlando area, the epicenter of American theme parks, is home to Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and LEGOLAND Florida, among others. You’ll also find no fewer than seven water parks to cool off on hot days. Any Disney aficionado will tell you there is no crowd-free day at Disney World or other area parks. However, you will find Florida theme parks to be less crowded right after the holiday season (January and February) and in September, once schools are back in session. Regardless of the season, your best bet is always a weekday trip. The best time to visit Miami Miami is an action-packed South Florida destination every month of the year, but the best time to visit depends on your preferences. Winter offers the mildest weather, without the sky-high temperatures or sticky humidity. Yet you’ll have to contend with crowds and high hotel prices. In summer, the temperature is hot but the deals are next level. The best time to visit the Florida Keys A 125-mile-long archipelago off the coast of South Florida, the Florida Keys are a unique destination. With island vibes and incredible natural beauty, the Keys are a bucket-list destination for many. But The Keys have distinct rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season runs from May to October, during which time the islands get the majority of their yearly rainfall — not to mention hurricane risk. The dry season is the most popular time to visit, as you’ll enjoy average temperatures in the 70s with very little rain. As with much of the state, prices and crowds are lower in the summer, but the weather can be unpredictable. Find your year-round Florida getaway with Pacaso If Florida is your favorite vacation destination, perhaps it’s time to make it official! As a second home owner in the Sunshine State, you’ll enjoy a place to call home, without the unpredictability of hotel costs. Pacaso has luxury vacation homes Have a property in mind?
FAQs
Second home: A second home is an additional residence — one you purchase for personal use/enjoyment and live in or visit during part of the year. Investment property: An investment property is one you plan to rent out with the goal of generating income.
What is the difference between a 2nd home and investment property? ›
Second home: A second home is an additional residence — one you purchase for personal use/enjoyment and live in or visit during part of the year. Investment property: An investment property is one you plan to rent out with the goal of generating income.
What is the 2 rule for investment properties? ›
The 2% rule says an investment property's monthly rent should equal at least 2% of the purchase price. According to the 2% rule, your monthly mortgage payment shouldn't exceed $3,000, and you should charge $3,000 in monthly rent. The 2% rule is more extreme than the 1% rule – basically doubling the monthly rent amount.
Is a second home considered investment property by the IRS? ›
And, you can also generate income by renting a second home to third parties for part of the year. The property will meet the definition of a second home, rather than an investment property, as long as the owner lives there for a number of days equal to at least 10% of the days the home is rented or 15 days a year.
Is a second home considered a good investment? ›
Buying a second home can potentially be a good investment as you may gain home equity if the home's value increases over time. You may also be able to rent out the property when you're not using it. However, rentals are limited to a maximum of 180 days per year.
What are the disadvantages of owning a second home? ›
Of course, when buying a second home, you can't ignore the associated expenses, including ongoing maintenance and upkeep and property taxes. These types of expenses can strain your budget or limit your financial ability to travel elsewhere.
Is a second home a good tax write-off? ›
Are Second-Home Expenses Tax Deductible? Yes, but it depends on how you use the home. If the home counts as a personal residence, you can generally deduct your mortgage interest on loans up to $750,000, as well as up to $10,000 in state and local taxes (SALT).
Can you convert a second home to an investment property? ›
It's important to note that once a home has been qualified as a second home with the IRS and a lender, this cannot be used as a rental property without changing the status of the home, otherwise homeowners are committing mortgage fraud.
How does the IRS know you sold a second home? ›
Answer: Your second residence (such as a vacation home) is considered a capital asset. Use Schedule D (Form 1040), Capital Gains and Losses and Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets to report sales, exchanges, and other dispositions of capital assets.
How long do you have to live in a second home to avoid capital gains tax? ›
The IRS requires you to pay capital gains taxes anytime you sell an asset. The federal government requires sellers to pay capital gains if: The home was a second property (investment, vacation, or rental) You owned the home for less than two years within a five-year period.
A second home will require a down payment as well. Plus, you'll have closing costs and you'll need to think about homeowners insurance coverage, as your second home will need to be protected. Be sure to talk to your insurance agent about getting a quote once you have your sights set on a potential second property.
Can a married couple have two primary residences? ›
For example, a married couple could acquire two primary residences if each spouse buys a primary residence and keeps their mortgages separate. This would mean each spouse having sufficient income on their own to buy a home. Additionally, conventional loans can create a second primary residence in some situations.
Is a second home considered owner-occupied? ›
Yes. If you, as the owner, are living in either the main home or the accessory dwelling unit (ADU), then a home with an ADU qualifies as owner-occupied.
What is the IRS definition of investment property? ›
by TurboTax• 255• Updated 1 month ago. Investment property is purchased with the intent (or hope) of profiting from its sale. Stocks, bonds, collectibles, and land are typical investment properties. Generally, you don't use investment property in your day-to-day living like you do personal-use property.
What classifies as a second home? ›
For the IRS to consider a second home a personal residence for the tax year, you need to use the home for more than 14 days or 10% of the days that you rent it out, whichever is greater. So if you rented the house for 40 weeks (280 days), you would need to use the home for more than 28 days.
How does owning an investment property affect taxes? ›
As a rental property owner, you can claim deductions to offset rental income and lower taxes. Broadly, you can deduct qualified rental expenses (e.g., mortgage interest, property taxes, interest, and utilities), operating expenses, and repair costs.
