Dear Snowbirds…
As the cold weather months approach, Northerners flock down to our sunny shores to escape the cold and spend some time in the sun. If this sounds like you, you’re probably a regular visitor to south Florida and--whether you’re fond of it or not--accept the label of being a snowbird, or a person from a northern or midwestern state, usually, who comes here to their second residence or rental to trade snowstorms for sand and sun. While this year may look a little different due to the pandemic still raging on, we love our snowbird visitors and what they do for our economy. So, snowbirds, please enjoy this love letter from Collins & Company to you.
A Love Letter to Snowbirds:
Dear snowbirds, Florida Flockers, or any other endearing nickname you may have acquired,
Thanks for coming to our state. We appreciate your presence and your business, for you help boost our local economy significantly. According to Rockport Analytics, you spent $94 billion during 2018, and that number is only expected to grow with each passing year. For every dollar you spend while you’re here, Florida retains about 97 cents, and you directly support our local businesses, promote a healthy job market, contribute your tax dollars to many of our public funds like local government and public education, and relieve the tax burden of many Florida residents.
Statistically, your favorite Florida destinations include Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers. With all these locations being more populous cities and towns, Collins & Company recommends looking into some of our smaller towns, like Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Deerfield Beach, and Lighthouse Point, to get the best of both worlds, meaning you’ll still have a place that’s near the beach and a larger city while paying less for property located just outside city limits.
Renting is a popular way of lodging once you get here, and Collins & Company is one of the most experienced groups in the south Florida area to help you out in that arena. We’ve worked with countless apartment and single-family home rentals in the area, matching hundreds with the perfect home that fits their needs. To go a step further, we also have extensive experience in the absentee property management sector, so we can match you with a second residence that can permanently belong to you, too. Why own a second residence? We have a whole blog post written on the topic, but in summary, it gives you the opportunity to earn tax benefits and extra income.
While this year may look a little different, it doesn’t mean you can’t still have a fun Florida winter-- We just ask you to do your part to continue combating the spread of the coronavirus. While you’re here,
Stick to activities that allow you to social distance properly, such as spending time at a private or non-crowded beach, biking along A1A, or walking on a nature preserve trail.
Wear a mask whenever you find yourself inside a restaurant or establishment; if you eat out, do so only with the bubble of people you came with, and consider eating outside where it’s less crowded and in the open air.
Support local businesses while you’re here. Florida businesses--like other small businesses around the country-- have been hit hard financially during this pandemic, so whether you’re looking for souvenirs, food, or other essentials you may have left behind, opt for shopping at a small business for what you need.
Pandemic or not, you remain a unique part of our state, and we are endlessly grateful for your patronage. We here at Collins & Company are local experts, so please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. Thanks again, and we can’t wait to (safely) meet you one day :)
With love,