Even in a down market, many prospective homeowners covet Florida real estate. Florida offers warm sunny beaches and ocean views year round. It is a popular destination for foreign tourists, college students on spring break and retirees alike. If you are a real estate speculator looking at Florida, there are a number of regions to consider.

South Florida Real Estate: Miami

Probably the most famous city in Florida, Miami, in the south of Florida, is renowned for an almost tropical location. The average single-family home price in Miami closed 2007 at about $300,000. Miami is considered a World City for contributions to the global market. The port of Miami is one of the biggest and most important ports in the United States. Currently undergoing a large construction boom, Miami is only somewhat slowed by the housing crisis. It remains a fertile market for real estate speculation.

Central Florida Real Estate: Orlando

The median home price for a single family dwelling in Orlando at the close of 2007 was around $255,000. Orlando is the sixth largest city in Florida, just 20 miles away from the famous Walt Disney World Resort. It has an impressive number of golf courses and sees 52 million tourists a year. Real estate in Orlando is ideal for a permanent residence or as temporary housing for tourists visiting the region.

Central Florida Real Estate: Tampa

Tampa, located off the western coast of central Florida, has a population of over 33,000 and growing. The Tampa Bay metropolitan area, which includes St. Petersburg and Clearwater, has over two and a half million residents. Tampa is the biggest media market in Florida and fields teams for three of the four major sports leagues: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball club and the Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey team. The Tampa Bay area also has a multiple championship arena football team, the Tampa Bay Storm. The average price for a single-family home in Tampa in 2007 was $225,000.

North Florida Real Estate: Jacksonville

Those interested in purchasing real estate in northern Florida may want to look at the availability in Jacksonville. As 2007 drew to close, the median price for a single-family home in Jacksonville was in the neighborhood of $259,900. As the largest city in Florida and the contiguous United States, there are plenty of real estate opportunities in Jacksonville. Jacksonville is about 25 miles south of Georgia. Due to proximity, Jacksonville carries more Southern U.S. characteristics than other areas in Florida. Jacksonville enjoys warm weather year round and is host to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a high quality NFL franchise.

There are plenty of appealing options for those seeking real estate in the state of Florida. Once you have narrowed down a location, you can go online and find real estate agents specializing in Florida real estate. When you find a likeable real estate agent, he or she can help you get a competitive price for selling or buying Florida real estate in the area of your choice.