MARTIN COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$369,000 |
$302,800 |
$234,400 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$198,000 |
$143,000 |
$98,200 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also higher
than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price range in
Martin County. Median prices shown above are for the West Palm/Boca MSA. The statistics are meant to give you
a feel for the area as compared to others you may be considering and to show the direction of the market.
Taxes
Visit
Buy a Home in Florida for comprehensive property tax information.
Weather
Average High/Low in January 63/40, in July 91/71
Martin County is a place of ease, unhurried moments, natural beauty and a preserved past. Just north of Palm Beach, it's Florida's best-kept secret, with small-town charm, secluded beaches, wide-open skylines, exquisite nature and many other reminders of yesteryear that are quickly vanishing.
Historic, but modern, natural and convenient, Martin County is a charming tropical paradise that has something for everyone, no matter what your passion.
Martin County is home to Stuart, Hobe Sound, Tequesta and Jupiter. Stuart is our featured city and is profiled below.
At the southern end of the county, discover the understated elegance of Hobe Sound with its collection of antique shops, funky eateries, art galleries, and nature parks. Hobe Sound’s downtown district hosts several annual events including the Hobe Sound Festival of the Arts, Hobe Sound Art Walk and Stroll and its annual Christmas Parade.
The historic small-town fishing village of Port Salerno blends local color with art galleries, working artist studios, and waterfront dining featuring locally caught seafood, as well as landlubber fare. A working waterfront and fishing fleet provides fresh seafood to local restaurants and markets, as well as for the Port Salerno Seafood Festival, which is held on the public docks and neighborhood streets the first of the year. Port Salerno also welcomes ‘captains of industry’ from around the world every year, which come to the area to fish world-class sport fishing tournaments that are based out of marinas and parks located on the Manatee Pocket.
Jupiter is famous for its beautiful beaches, the Loxahatchee River, and Intracoastal Waterway. The town enjoys a vibrant cultural life as the home of the Florida History Center & Museum, and several annual arts and entertainment festivals. Jupiter is home to many full and part time residents as well as a popular destination for vacationers. The town has a mixture of family residential neighborhoods, condominium communities and upscale waterfront communities that attract young families, professionals, retirees and seasonal residents.
Events
Arts & Culture
The legacy of old Florida lives on in Martin County, where the arts and cultural attractions embody the natural beauty of original Florida. Dance, music, theatre, visual arts and historical preservation are an integral part of the community with exciting, dynamic arts and cultural events and festivals held year round.
Visit the Martin County Council for the arts to learn more: http://www.martinarts.org/.
Parks & Recreation
No other landscape offers the natural diversity found in Martin County’s parks and waterways. From exploring the bayous of Jonathan Dickinson State Park by canoe to diving on offshore dive sites to kayaking along solitary beaches there's something for every nature lover in Martin County.
For hikers and bikers alike, the natural Florida terrain teems with ocean side and lakeside trails as well as preserved woodlands and wildlife parks. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy world-class fishing within just a 10-mile radius of St. Lucie Inlet! Martin County reigns supreme for sport fishing and holds the distinctive title of "Sailfish Capital of the World." With the Gulf Stream just offshore, the County is a boating and fishing paradise. Boasting more than 20 marinas, a dozen fishing and sightseeing charters, plus a variety of bait and tackle shops; Martin County offers an abundance of boating and fishing excursions.
And whether by power or sail, you can explore the scenic waterways, including coves, islands, Lake Okeechobee and the renowned Indian River Lagoon, whose unique tidal basin is home to dolphins, manatees, brown pelicans and other protected species. You can also horseback ride, bird watch or just relax at one of the many parks and beaches.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park includes a federally designated scenic river and offers rental boats, camping, bike trails, and scenic tours of the Loxahatchee River aboard the Loxahatchee Queen II. From the trail or while paddling the river, watch for deer, raccoons, foxes, bobcats, opossums, alligators, otters, and the American Bald Eagle. Over 140 species of birds have been identified here, making Jonathan Dickinson an excellent birding destination. Other popular points of interest include the Hobe Sound Nature Center and Blowing Rocks Preserve.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for more information on fishing and our Guide to Establishing Florida Residency for Florida fishing license information.
Beaches
Turn off your cell phone and soak up the incredible ambiance of the Martin County shore. Miles and miles of peaceful beaches, beautiful water and natural sand dunes await you, from Hobe Sound to Jensen Beach with hundreds more in between. And don't forget about "surfishing", a favorite pastime that's easy for the whole family to learn!
For comprehensive information on all Florida Beaches and gift certificates for the best Florida restaurants on or near them, check out The Florida Beach Book!
Golf
Martin County is home to dozens of golf courses, some designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Tom Fazio. One course even offers the opportunity to perfect your swing on replicas of golf's most famous holes. You can experience the close proximity to the sunny sands of the best beaches and the roar of the ocean waves or travel a bit farther inland for holes set among the palms and rich foliage of this tropical paradise.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Hospitals
Martin Memorial Health Systems (www.mmhs.com) ranks among the top 10 percent of hospitals nationwide, as scored by The Joint Commission. MMHS is headquartered in Stuart, consisting of two hospitals with a total of 344 beds, three Medical centers and a number of clinics and health centers.
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
For information on Lifelong Learning, visit Your Florida Lifestyle.
Airports
Martin County Airport http://www.martin.fl.us
Shopping
Much like Martin County itself, the Treasure Coast shopping experience has something for everyone: delightful
shops, charming antique stores, art galleries, quaint sidewalk cafes and restaurants, plus all the brand name
stores you're familiar with. From the trendy shops of the Treasure Coast Square Mall and the upscale boutiques
of Harbour Bay Plaza to the eclectic shops of the historic downtowns of Stuart and Jensen Beach,
you'll find a mix of unpretentious charm and sophistication, where the people are unfailingly helpful.
Tree-lined streets, welcoming sidewalks, authentic Florida architecture and artistic displays, they all
add to the unique ambiance that is Martin County.
Cities & Towns
Incorporated
Unincorporated
Additional Resources
Martin County Government http://www.martin.fl.us
Martin County Tourism http://www.martincountyfla.com/
Featured Cities & Towns
Stuart
The ‘Sailfish Capital of the World’ —Stuart offers— a wide array of activities, including waterfront and sidewalk cafes, Fodor rated restaurants, one-of-a-kind boutiques, working studio and art galleries, antique shops, museums, a weekly Green Market, monthly waterfront jazz concerts, antique car shows, juried art festivals, and arts and craft festivals providing color and fun throughout the year. The landmark Lyric Theatre, built in 1926 as a silent movie house, brings a full slate of concerts, shows and cultural events to Stuart. Downtown celebrations include Fourth of July and Christmas festivals, Fall Stuart Stroll, Dancing in the Streets, a variety of parades, and Pirate’s Day in the summer. The Stuart Boat show comes to town for three days every January. And, in November the Stuart Air Show turns all eyes to the sky for two days of aerial acrobats, static ground displays and vintage aircraft. Adventurers wanting to get back to nature, will find an array of outdoor options in the area, including paddling, hiking, biking and birding options at Halpatiokee Regional Park or discovering the pristine and often deserted beach at St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park. Stuart was named America’s Most Beautiful City in 2008 by America In Bloom.
Stuart is located on the eastern point of the Okeechobee Waterway, a 54 mile long waterway and Florida’s only cross-state canal, which extends from the Atlantic Ocean in Stuart to the Gulf of Mexico in Ft. Myers. The St. Lucie River flows into the Indian River here and surrounds Stuart on three sides creating fabulous waterfront living opportunities and wonderful views.
Martin County has an ordinance that limits building heights to four stories, so you won’t find high rises here. You will find everything from inexpensive condos inland to Florida beach front condos to exclusive riverfront estates, gated country club communities and even ranchettes with acreage.
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Stuart or Martin County, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Stuart or Martin County who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
