When is the best time of year to move to Florida’s Space Coast?
The answer depends on your priorities.
Florida is a destination state, and people relocate here year-round for new jobs, retirement, to be closer to family and friends, or simply because they’ve always dreamed of living here. But one thing many people don’t consider is that the time of year you move can have a big impact on your experience.
Moving during hurricane season is very different than moving during snowbird season. Spring has its own advantages and challenges, and if you arrive in the middle of summer, you’ll quickly understand why Floridians dash from their air-conditioned homes to their air-conditioned cars.
No matter when you’re planning to move, every season has its pros and cons. Here’s what you should know before you start house hunting.
Hurricane Season (June Through November)
Let’s start with the season that gets the most attention and certainly generates the most questions from people who haven’t lived near the coast…hurricane season.
Hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with the busiest part of the season typically occurring from mid-August through October.
If you’re moving to Florida during this time, it’s completely normal to have questions. In fact, it’s one of the first things many of my relocation clients ask about.
The good news is that while hurricanes are a part of living in Florida, they’re not something we deal with every day. Most days during hurricane season are just like any other summer day: hot, humid, and with the chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.
If you happen to be buying a home while a tropical storm or hurricane is approaching, there are a couple of important things to keep in mind.
First, you’ll want to bind your homeowner’s insurance as soon as possible. Insurance companies stop writing new policies once a named storm enters what’s commonly called the “No-Bind Box.” Once the storm passes or is no longer considered a threat, they’ll begin writing policies again.
If you’re already under contract and haven’t been able to secure your insurance before that happens, don’t panic. The standard Florida FAR/BAR contract contains provisions that help protect buyers in situations like this. In most cases, it simply means your closing date may be delayed.
If you’re financing the purchase, there’s another possibility. Even if your appraisal has already been completed, your lender may require the appraiser to revisit the property after the storm to verify there was no visible damage before allowing the loan to close.
None of this is meant to scare you. It’s simply part of buying a home in Florida, and an experienced real estate agent, lender, and insurance professional will help guide you through the process if a storm happens to develop while you’re under contract.
Snowbird Season (Winter)
Once hurricane season comes to an end, Florida enters what many people consider its busiest time of year…snowbird season.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, snowbirds are seasonal residents who spend the colder months in Florida before returning north in the spring.
It’s easy to understand why.
Florida’s winter weather is hard to beat. The humidity drops, afternoon temperatures are often in the 70s and even low 80s, art shows and festivals are in full swing, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy outdoor dining, the beach, or just about anything outside.
The tradeoff is that all of those seasonal visitors also mean:
- More traffic
- Longer waits at popular restaurants
- Higher hotel and Airbnb rates while you’re house hunting
Winter is also one of the busiest times of year for home buyers.
Every year I work with people planning for retirement or who have already retired and are looking for a place to call home. Condos and townhomes are often at the top of their list because exterior maintenance is typically covered by the homeowners association, making them an attractive low-maintenance option.
While winter is one of the best times to enjoy Florida, it’s also one of the busiest. If you’re planning your move during this season, just be prepared for a little more company.
Spring: Florida’s Busiest Housing Market
As winter transitions into spring, seasonal residents overlap with families planning summer moves, creating one of the busiest times of year for Florida’s housing market.
March and April are typically the busiest months.
Snowbirds are still here, spring breakers are visiting our beaches, and many buyers take advantage of school breaks and vacations to explore communities before making their move.
Easter often marks the height of this busy period.
Hotels and vacation rentals can fill quickly, restaurants become busier, and many beach communities feel much more crowded than they do during the rest of the year.
The upside?
Spring often brings more homes to the market, giving buyers additional choices. The tradeoff is that you’re also shopping alongside more buyers.
Summer: Adjusting to Florida Life
If your goal is to be settled into your new home before school starts, but you couldn’t begin your home search during the spring, here’s what you can expect during the summer.
If you’re moving from almost anywhere else in the country, your biggest adjustment will probably be Florida’s heat, humidity, and those almost daily afternoon thunderstorms.
The first summer is usually the toughest, but you’ll adapt.
Before long, you’ll find yourself doing what the rest of us do: planning outdoor activities earlier in the morning or later in the evening, while keeping an eye on the radar to see when that afternoon storm is expected to roll through.
One of the biggest advantages of moving during the summer is that you’ll experience what everyday life is really like.
Since Florida sees a large influx of seasonal residents and spring breakers from January through April, summer traffic is much closer to what you’ll experience for the rest of the year.
You’ll also notice shorter waits at many restaurants and attractions, making it a great time to explore your new community.
So, When Is the Best Time to Move to Florida?
The reality is there’s no perfect season.
Every time of year has its own advantages and challenges.
Looking at the Brevard County housing market over the last several years, one thing becomes pretty clear.
Buyers have plenty of opportunities regardless of the season.
On average:
- More than 4,000 homes are available for sale.
- Around 1,600 new listings come on the market every month.
- Nearly 1,100 homes sell every month.
While home sales typically peak between March and May, the market doesn’t shut down during the rest of the year.
The only real outliers tend to be January and February, when the holidays slow activity a bit, and the occasional summer month when a tropical storm or hurricane temporarily pauses the market.
The bottom line is simple.
Whether you’re moving during hurricane season, snowbird season, the busy spring market, or the heat of summer, knowing what to expect ahead of time will make your transition much smoother.
The best time to move isn’t determined by the calendar. It’s determined by when the timing is right for you and your family.
If you’re planning a move to Florida’s Space Coast and have questions about the home buying process or the different communities throughout Brevard County, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to help.
Eric Larkin is a Broker Associate with Real Broker, LLC. He lives, works, and plays in the Cocoa Beach area. If you have questions about moving or relocating to Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast, let me know! I get calls, texts, direct messages & comments on my posts every day about the real estate market and things that are happening in Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast that I love answering. Ask me your questions on moving, relocating here, or anything about the community. I am here to help. I have been helping buyers and sellers with their real estate needs since becoming a real estate agent in 2003. My focus is always on helping, answering your questions, and doing everything possible to make certain you have a smooth transaction from beginning to end.
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