Florida crushed its own tourism record, welcoming 143 million visitors in 2024 – more than any year in state history. What makes this even more impressive? While international travel spending across the U.S. is expected to drop by about 7% this year, and visitors from Europe and Canada are down double-digits nationally, Florida keeps winning. Americans can't get enough of our sun. In fact, 91.9% of Florida's 41.2 million Q1 2025 visitors were domestic travelers. That's 37.9 million Americans choosing Florida beaches over anywhere else.

Here's where it gets interesting for property investors. Florida hotels are commanding an impressive $227.22 average daily rate while still maintaining 75.7% occupancy – that's some serious pricing power. But when hotel rooms start hitting $230+ a night, families and longer-stay visitors start looking elsewhere. Enter vacation rentals, which are suddenly looking like the smart alternative everyone's been waiting for.

Florida's Next Hot Markets

Want to know where the smart money is looking? Follow the airports. Florida handled 29.4 million passengers across its 19 major airports in Q1, but the real story is in the smaller markets that are absolutely taking off. Punta Gorda jumped 23.6%, St. Petersburg–Clearwater rose 7.7%, and Daytona Beach climbed 7.4%.

When smaller airports start getting busy, everything else follows: more restaurants, better roads, and suddenly everyone wants property in these "undiscovered" spots.

Florida Market Stabilization

Remember those crazy pandemic years when finding a Florida home felt impossible? Those days are finally behind us. The state kicked off 2025 with record-high housing inventory, with available homes jumping about 23% year-over-year to roughly 172,000 properties for sale in January.

The price action tells the story too. Home prices have pulled back modestly, with median single-family prices down from last year. But don't mistake this for a crash. These are still near record-high prices. Think of it as the market finally taking a breath after years of holding it.

It's a Great Time to Buy, Sell, and Invest in Florida

Buyers - If you've been house hunting in Florida over the past few years, you know the frustration – everything sold before you could even schedule a showing. Well, those days are over. Buyers now have actual choices and real negotiating power. You can take time to inspect a property, maybe even get a few contingencies approved. Sure, mortgage rates and insurance costs are still challenging, but at least you're not competing with 15 other offers on every decent house.

Sellers - The days of slapping a "For Sale" sign on your lawn and watching bidding wars erupt are mostly behind us (except maybe in the most premium neighborhoods). Today's successful sellers are the ones who price competitively, stage thoughtfully, and market strategically. The good news? Florida's booming tourism economy means there's still plenty of demand – you just need to work a little harder to capture it.

Today's buyers want homes that are ready to move into, close to popular destinations, and already set up for short-term rentals if they choose. If you own a townhome near Tampa International Airport or in Westchase, a beach house in Siesta Key or Anna Maria Island, or a vacation rental near Disney World in Four Corners or Champions Gate that's been performing well, this could be your moment. Properties in the right locations with good marketing are getting strong offers and spending less time on the market.

Investors - This might be the sweet spot investors have been waiting for. Our market isn't so hot that you're overpaying for everything, but it's not so cold that you're worried about values tanking. You can actually be choosy about properties, negotiate better deals, and still feel confident about Florida's long-term prospects thanks to that record-breaking tourism performance. Whether you're eyeing short-term rentals or traditional investment properties, the fundamentals are solid.

You don't need to be right on the beach to do well either. Central Florida communities like Davenport near ChampionsGate, Kissimmee close to Disney Springs, Clermont near the theme parks, and Celebration offer easy access to major attractions, good highway connections for people driving in, and that family-friendly atmosphere visitors want. Since more than 64% of domestic visitors drive to Florida, these locations stay busy throughout the year. That steady demand helps keep occupancy rates high and income flowing consistently.

Florida’s Visitor Growth Is Creating Real Estate Opportunity

More visitors create more pressure on vacation housing, and that demand supports both rental income and long-term property value. Whether you are buying your first vacation home, preparing to sell an investment property, or exploring your next move, the numbers show that now is a time to act.

Your final advantage? Working with a top Florida real estate team. At Vreeland Real Estate, we help buyers, sellers, and investors navigate Florida’s most in-demand markets with confidence. From Disney-area condos to Gulf Coast waterfronts, our local insight gives you the edge you need.

Ready to turn this momentum into your next opportunity? Let’s talk!

Source: Florida Governor’s Office press release, May 20, 2025, “Florida Sets New Tourism Record: 2024 Marks Highest Annual Visitation in State History.”