Property taxes are now the primary factor for buyers deciding among Florida’s rural counties, according to local real estate expert Josée Lindner. In a recent interview, Lindner explained how tax differences amounting to thousands of dollars annually are shifting buyer preferences across north-central Florida’s four-county region.
“I generally start with the tax, because taxes is big for a lot of my clients,” said Lindner, a real estate agent with Young Real Estate who has six years of industry experience and over 20 years in property investment. “Alachua and Marion are kind of the higher tax price where Levy and Citrus are a little bit lower. I find that Levy is even lower than all of them.”
This tax advantage is drawing buyers from higher-cost parts of Florida. Lindner’s market data shows the trend is especially strong among buyers from Miami and Tampa seeking more space and lower ongoing costs.
Lindner identified several additional factors influencing buyer decisions in the four-county area:
University Influence: Alachua County’s growth is linked to the University of Florida. “There’s so much building there. It’s insane. I don’t know where all these people are coming from, but they are because they actually just built two new apartment buildings. I mean condos,” Lindner noted, pointing to the university’s expanding needs.
Property Type Constraints: Budget limitations require buyers to make choices. “I had a client looking for a home, and they wanted acreage. Of course, their budget was $300,000 and they’re looking for a big house on huge acreage. I’m like, ‘Well, you got to pick one, because in this day and age, you can’t have both,’” Lindner explained.
Inventory Variations: Each county has its own housing stock, from Marion’s HOA communities and retiree developments to Levy’s rural acreage properties.
The rural Florida market has changed, with homes now typically remaining on the market for two to three months. In Chiefland, Lindner’s research shows 75 homes currently listed, ranging from $70,000 fixer-uppers to $2 million properties. The most popular price range for first-time buyers is between $200,000 and $250,000.
“Even the new homes, and like the new manufactured home on an acre, you’re looking at least $200 plus,” Lindner observed. She noted limited new construction in parts of Chiefland, while areas like Morriston and Williston are seeing more development.
The tax advantage continues to attract buyers from within Florida. “In the last probably six months, I think I’ve had probably seven clients move from Miami, Tampa area, and one from Texas,” Lindner reported. These buyers include both families seeking more space and retirees looking to maximize their budgets.
For buyers, Lindner stresses the importance of weighing location, property type, and carrying costs. The tax difference between counties can mean thousands in annual savings, making it a key consideration for long-term affordability.
This trend indicates that rural Florida counties with lower tax burdens could continue to gain market share as buyers focus more on total ownership costs than proximity to major cities.
