Despite a slight slow-down, Florida still leads the US in average annual appreciation rates. While properties in the US as a whole averaged growth rates of 12.95%, the Sunshine State saw average price rises of 26.85%. Chief Economist at the US National Association of Realtors noted recently that the market had slowed slightly since the record growth of 2005, but noted that 'what we're calling a slow-down is really a stellar market by any definition.

Within Florida the mid-Florida states are out-performing the Florida trend, and the Orlando Metropolitan Statistical (MSA) area is performing particularly well with sale values 9% above the mid-Florida average. The Orlando MSA is made up of 4 counties - Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole. Not only a very pretty area of the state, but also one of the most visited.

One of the previous Brookes investment projects was in Lake County - Blue Spring Lakes. This went to market in November 2005, closing in February 2006, when it was revalued by independent valuation at 30% more than the prices paid by Brookes clients.