Fort Lauderdale, FL Community Information

Fort Lauderdale, FL Homes for Sale

Fort Lauderdale Metro and Neighborhood Information

With an extensive canal system snaking through the city, it's no wonder why Fort Lauderdale has been called the "Venice of America." Located in Broward County Florida, Fort Lauderdale comprises the southwestern portion of the Bermuda Triangle flanked by the Atlantic Ocean. It is sandwiched between Miami and Palm Beach, covering more than 30 square miles. With endless miles of beachfront, palm trees offering solace from the sun and sand as far as the eye can see, Fort Lauderdale has become a popular yachting and vacation spot. It evolved from humble beginnings as the territory of the native Seminole Indians who once inhabited these lands. A series of wars spawned the city's roots, beginning with Major William Lauderdale's establishment of an army fort in 1838 on land that would one day become Fort Lauderdale. The 1893 arrival of Frank Stranahan would eventually prove to be the catalyst for the city's growth. Stranahan built his home on the site of present day Fort Lauderdale, a home that would serve as many of the city's firsts. Stranahan's home operated as a trading post, bank, town hall and post office, planting the seeds for the city to grow. It did just that and by 1911, Fort Lauderdale was incorporated as a town. Today it has grown into a tourism giant with a 2004 estimated population of 164,578. Stranahan's house on the New River still stands today as a registered landmark. It serves as a museum of the city's heritage and also as an exhibit of Florida frontier design. For a more updated view of the modern city, tourists flock to world famous Fort Lauderdale Beach. Thanks to a $26 million renovation effort, Fort Lauderdale Beach added new brick lined promenades along the water, blooming foliage and a neon-accented wave wall. Funds from the renovation also went into revamping roadway A1A and newly landscaped medians. Visitors can lounge under the sun, swim leisurely or partake in the more active sports like surfing, yachting and water-skiing that have made Fort Lauderdale Beach a coveted family resort destination.

Like the tourism it relies heavily on, Fort Lauderdale real estate is also a hot market with home prices continuing to appreciate. According to data analyzed by Fiserv Case Shiller Weiss, Fort Lauderdale home prices have doubled since 2001 and are projected to appreciate by nearly 17 percent by 2007. The National Association of Realtors reported a $370,000 median sales price for existing Fort Lauderdale single family homes. And CNN/Money.com recently placed Fort Lauderdale zip code 33311 among its hottest zip codes with a median price of $175,000, reflecting a 135.5 percent appreciation in the last five years. New developments and master-planned communities continue to spring up, most within the downtown district. In the heart of downtown sits Las Olas Boulevard, the epicenter for the prime dining, shopping, arts, entertainment and nightlife that colors the urban experience. Much of the housing here is high-end, consisting mostly of expansive mansions, condominiums and luxury villas. Las Olas, meaning "The Waves," has come a long way from its origins as a dirt path leading to the beach. Expect to pay for the convenience of living near the beach, central business district and thriving urban nightlife as housing starts at $350,000 and many properties are priced well over the $450,000 mark. Due west of this urban neighborhood is the more historic Sailboat Bend community amid the city's historic district. With roots in the city's origins as an army post, Sailboat Bend was declared a historic site in 1992. It is a thriving neighborhood today offering affordable Sailboat Bend studio apartments in the mid $200,000s. Housing goes up from there however, as this neighborhood is only minutes from downtown and the Riverwalk. Town homes will set you back $400,000 and property sitting on the banks of the North River are priced from $1 million. Since Fort Lauderdale is also dubbed the "yachting capital" of the world, the waterfront residential community of Bermuda Riviera could serve as its headquarters. Situated on the Intercoastal Waterway in northeast Fort Lauderdale, Bermuda Riviera offers canals and docking for yacht owners with open access to the Atlantic Ocean. This secluded neighborhood of roughly 250 homes is walking distance from the beach along Galt Ocean Mile and is mere minutes from vibrant downtown. Privacy and security are guaranteed through a guardhouse that is the only way in and out of this neighborhood. This is the ultimate in South Florida living, and Bermuda Riviera properties on deep water are near the $1 million range. But for many of its happy residents, the price is worth paying to have the best of both worlds: proximity to the beach and the urban lifestyle. So take the plunge and invest in Fort Lauderdale real estate today!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Lauderdale,_Florida
http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/about.htm
http://www.broward.org/airport/tourist.htm
http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/about/see/water.htm
http://sg.travel.yahoo.com/guide/americas/usa/fort_lauderdale/attractions.html
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/topzipcodes/index.html
http://www.premierestateproperties.com/luxury_real_estate/florida/broward/fort_lauderdale/F671201.aspx?flash=true
http://www.livebythesea.com/Nav.aspx/Page=/PageManager/Default.aspx/PageID=1010379%20
http://www.cflca.org/content/view/21/38/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Olas_Boulevard
http://www.johnsabia.com/Village-At-Sailboat-Bend.php

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Fort Lauderdale, FL Community Information

Population

775,997

Median Age

38.6

Median Household Income

$61,972

Households with Children

46.19%

Median Travel Time to Work

28 minutes

Fort Lauderdale, FL Real Estate Market Information

Homes Owned

65.48%

Homes Rented

27.49%

Homes Vacant

7.03%

Fort Lauderdale, FL Home Price-Rent Ratio

The price-rent ratio is a great way to compare the costs of buying and renting both within a city and is useful to compare against other cities as well. Technically it is the average cost of ownership divided by the received rent income if buying to let. The formula is House Price / (Monthly Rent x 12).

0:1

Low Home Price-Rent Ratio

High Home Price-Rent Ratio

What does it mean?

1-10

It is less expensive to own than to rent a home in this city depending factors such as length of ownership.

11-20

The total costs of ownership of a home in this city are greater than the costs of renting, but it might still make financial sense depending on the situation.

21 or greater

The total costs of owning a home in this city are greater than the costs of renting depending factors such as length of ownership.

*Note that this index is a broad measure. Contact a local agent to understand local market conditions.

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Fort Lauderdale, FL School Information

These are the closest schools to your requested location. Proximity does not guarantee enrollment eligibility. Please consult your real estate agent or school district to confirm the schools you are zoned to attend.