Dorian takes multi-million-dollar bite out of tourism in Volusia and Flagler

When Hurricane Dorian brushed by Volusia and Flagler counties last week without causing major property damage, residents felt a sense of relief. But the storm’s effect has been quietly brutal for hotels, restaurants, attractions and other businesses tied to the area’s tourism economy. While no one has an exact figure, area experts believe the loss to hotels alone amount to tens of millions of dollars. Add in restaurants and their employees, and the losses are much greater. “It’s huge,” said Rob Burnetti,

Source: Dorian takes multi-million-dollar bite out of tourism in Volusia and Flagler

Rent prices keep rising, but here’s how some renters may finally get a break

South Florida’s ever-rising rents can be a pain, but a wave of new apartments may help keep rent prices from skyrocketing, according to a national survey.In a favorable sign for millennials and new arrivals seeking housing, South Florida ranks fourth nationally in 2019 apartment construction, with more than 13,000 new units coming online by year’s end. “As it usually happens, whenever the apartment supply is abundant, there’s a certain slowdown in rent growth,” said RentCafe analyst Florentina Sarac.Ren

Source: Rent prices keep rising, but here’s how some renters may finally get a break

Owner of Bartow’s famed Wonder House pins hopes on zoning change

During its heyday, the Wonder House attracted curiosity seekers willing to pay a small admission to view up close a true one-of-a-kind residence considered an architectural marvel. A Bartow treasure, it featured inventive, modern conveniences such as hollow columns that collected rainwater from the roof. The water was piped through walls, feeding plants that were recessed into the building’s exterior.

Built of precast concrete panels in 1926, the multistory house at 1075 E. Mann Rd. was a tourist attraction

Source: Owner of Bartow’s famed Wonder House pins hopes on zoning change

Retirees Are Fleeing Florida Due to Fears of Climate Change

Florida, with its plentiful beaches, warm weather, and lack of a state-income tax, is the most popular destination for older adults in the U.S. But some who have lived in the Sunshine State for years are moving in the opposite direction.As damaging storms and other effects of climate change have hit Florida particularly hard in the past few years, some older adults living there have become concerned about their safety and their ability to enjoy retirement.

So they’re fleeing this otherwise balmy state.About 52,630 people ages 65 and over left Florida in 2017, versus 48,174 in 2016 and 43,356 in 2012, according to Jon Rork, professor of Economics at Reed College in Portland, Oregan, who studies retirement migration. “Many of these people have left Florida for states like Georgia and North Carolina,” Rork says. “There’s a hypothesis that those who have left Florida for Georgia and North Carolina have done so to avoid hurricanes and big insurance premium jumps.”

Source: Retirees Are Fleeing Florida Due to Fears of Climate Change

The new boomtowns: Why more people are relocating to ‘secondary’ cities

As they began planning their future together, Ashley Brown and her fiance, Aaron Shuman, concluded that they could no longer remain in Los Angeles because it was getting much too expensive. “Our rent in L.A. was $1,500 for a tiny, 650-square-foot apartment with no amenities,” says Brown, 29, a native New Yorker, actress and New York University graduate. She and Shuman, a 28-year-old musician, began looking at Austin, Detroit, Portland, Oregon, and Columbus, Ohio, before settling on Atlanta.

Source: The new boomtowns: Why more people are relocating to ‘secondary’ cities

Renting vs. buying a home in Tampa. Here’s the lowdown on when you break even.

Buying versus renting a home is a conundrum many of us have faced. Do you want to spend your weekends fixing stuff and sweating about whether the insurance is paid up or would you rather leave that to a landlord? On the flip side, owning means not getting booted when the lease runs out. The boost in equity that comes with a rising market is a nice perk, too.

Source: Renting vs. buying a home in Tampa. Here’s the lowdown on when you break even.