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Florida
Florida is the third most populous state and, because of its year-round warm climate, contains the most golf communities of all. Indeed, The Villages, a huge retirement community in the north central part of the state, can boast of 35 separate golf courses alone. During the early years of the recession that began in late 2007, Florida real estate prices crashed, with homes in many golf communities losing between 30% and 50% of their value. But now, prices have rebounded to near pre-recession levels in the most popular areas of the state, including Naples, Sarasota and Jacksonville. Because summers can be too hot for many, Florida golf communities are a magnet for second-home owners who are tired of cold winters, still enjoy spring and summer in the North and appreciate the lack of an income tax in the state. Many "snowbirds" stay in Florida for six months and a day to take best advantage of the tax situation.
Burning bright: Tiger lurking
Just a few readers answered the poll yesterday and today regarding whether Tiger Woods would win the Masters tournament or one of the other 105 competitors would. The vote was unanimous: Everyone took...
Now the PGA goes after Ginn
The hits just keep on coming against the Ginn Development Company, often referred to as Ginn Resorts. The developer and operator of such lush communities as Tesoro, Hammock Beach and Reunion in...
J'ville community reduces prices to pre 2007
From both a visual and shotmaking standpoint, Arnold Palmer's design at North Hampton is one of his best. A builder at the North Hampton Club, a community on the outskirts of Jacksonville, FL, is...
Escape from Florida
I am just back from Florida. My wife, daughter and I attended a wedding this weekend at the lush and comfortable Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key, midway along the string of Florida Keys. On Saturday, on...
Reasonable North Hampton down to few home sites
The par 3 3rd hole at North Hampton gives a taste of all the elements Arnold Palmer weaves into the links-like course, including a tee shot that appears to be more challenging than it actually is. I...
Funny name, serious golf course near Naples
Elliot deBear is one of our most faithful correspondents. We rely on his excellent photos of courses we haven't played (in some cases we'll use his photos of courses because they are better than...
Great golf course doesn't mean great golf home investment
Sometimes the interests of golf course owners and local governing bodies come into conflict. When that happens, it almost doesn't matter if the golf course has been praised by everyone who plays it...
Real deal in Coore/Crenshaw golf community
If Coore & Crenshaw can replicate at the new Sugarloaf Mountain in Floride their masterpiece at Cuscowilla, whose bunkers are both classic and colorful, then "free" membership could be the real...
In Jacksonville, you can have your golf and eat well too
My wife and I often talk about a retirement that would have us in two homes - one in a city with entertainment, culture and restaurant options within walking distance, and the other in a golf course...
If you decide to kick the tires on Amelia Island...
Our next issue of the HomeOnTheCourse advisory newsletter will feature the communities north of Jacksonville, FL, including those at the Amelia Island Plantation resort. During our recent visit, we...
One way to bet on Florida
It is a good rule of thumb when investing to watch what the pros do. Warren Buffet comes to mind. So does Carl Icahn who, according to today's Wall Street Journal, is making the ultimate contrarian...
Golf Course Review: Long Point and good company ends Amelia swing on high note
Long Point is the best course on Amelia Island, the locals say. And we would agree after playing it yesterday, the third we played during our short visit. Tom Fazio's layout threads its way through the...