One of the best times to go house hunting in South Florida is right after the holidays. Sellers in Fort Lauderdale tend to be more motivated after taking down holiday decorations, and many of them would like to get to the closing table before getting their annual tax refunds.

According to Zillow, median home prices in Broward County stood at $277,921 towards the end of 2019, and they are expected to appreciate by 3% in 2020, thus making this part of the country a sellers market; however, smart home buyers should be able to find deals during the early weeks of the year.

If you're looking for a home in Fort Lauderdale for 2020, here are some of the best neighborhoods you should evaluate:

Victoria Park

Any top-performing realtor® will always tell you that Victoria Park offers one of the most authentic Old Florida experiences in Fort Lauderdale, even in 2020. Moving into this neighborhood means being able to ride your bike to the beach.

Moreover, the downtown district and the trendy Las Olas Boulevard are within walking distance. This is one of the few districts in Fort Lauderdale where you can find historic townhouses.

Las Olas Isles

Fort Lauderdale is sometimes described as being the "Venice of South Florida" because of its many water canals. At Las Olas Isles, the Venice-like atmosphere means that you can find waterfront homes with private docking space and wooden piers, providing a wonderful backdrop for social media photos in 2020.

This neighborhood is ideal for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Being located right between the downtown districts and the beach has many advantages, including property value appreciation, which always seems to be on the rise.

Rio Vista

This neighborhood is for buyers who are fans of spectacular real estate. Despite being located just steps from the bustling downtown area, Rio Vista is a very quiet and pleasant residential district where two of the city's most prestigious restaurants are located; the canals and greenbelt spaces serve as buffers to keep the ambiance pleasant.

Many residents of Rio Vista tend to live in opulent mansions, but a few renovated Old Florida bungalows can still be found in 2020. If you move into Rio Vista, you'll likely have business magnates and local politicians as neighbors.

Coral Ridge

When you're looking for a more suburban experience that involves walking to Publix and enjoying afternoon coffee at Starbucks in 2020, Coral Ridge will be waiting for you.

The predominant architectural styles of Coral Ridge are Tuscan and Mediterranean revival; only a few Florida ranches remain, but they have been tastefully renovated.

Coral Ridge is a great neighborhood to look for homes with private swimming pools and Florida rooms. Many schools, shopping, and entertainment venues are located nearby as well.

When you need to find a knowledgeable realtor® in Fort Lauderdale, Effective Agents will be happy to help you find the perfect realtor®, someone who's not only knowledgeable about the best neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale but also about how to negotiate the best purchase conditions.

Find more news on housing in Fort Lauderdale by registering on 954area, your free guide to the Fort Lauderdale area.  

Cover photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons