Homestead is a growing city on the southern edge of Miami-Dade County. Farms, nurseries and fruit stands are still prominent in this city of 82,000, which has maintained its small-town feel as it adds big-city touches. Homestead Station, a mixed-use project transforming the city’s historic downtown, is the focus of ongoing expansion efforts. It now includes a modern transit center that connects residents to Miami, just 25 miles away. Homestead’s most recent addition is an Amazon distribution facility the size of 17 football fields. “It’s a city that has potential to be even more than it is today. It’s a city full of opportunities,” says Marlon Cadenas, a broker with Grand Beach Realty who has sold dozens of properties in Homestead. “When the big dogs like Amazon are coming, you know it’s growing.”
Homestead is a mixture of suburban farmland and beautifulsuburban homes.
Homestead Station has a variety of retail therapy and entertainment in the heart of downtown.
Homestead Station offers residents reliable public transportation with its new Metro Station.
Newly built Amazon Facility offers new jobs for the residents of Homestead, FL.
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Economy remains anchored by agriculture
In many ways, farming is the lifeblood of Homestead. The industry produces nearly $200 billion annually for Florida. In 2023, the city started a program providing property owners with information on available resources for the continued agricultural use of their lands. This came a year after the state legislature passed a law allowing farmers to use their land for agritourism. But while the city remains rooted in agriculture, the economy is changing. “A lot of the farmland has been converted for new homes,” Cadenas says. “Some people applaud the growth, but others who were born here and grew up here don’t like what they see.” The Homestead Air Reserve Base is another key contributor to the economy. It adds an estimated $360 million to the local economy each year.
Farmland is the main lifeblood of Homestead.
Residents can use their land to grow crops in the city of Homestead.
Newly built homes are taking over the farmlands of Homestead.
The Homestead Airforce Base brings a large part of economy to Homestead.
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Homestead Station is helping to transform a historic downtown district
Homestead Station was built as the city’s first contemporary entertainment center. The downtown complex is anchored by a movie theater that includes a bowling alley, arcade and bar. “Downtown Homestead has been revitalized,” Cadenas says. “There’s a new police department and a new city hall. But entertainment is still one of the things it lacks.”
The city’s main cultural attraction is the Seminole Theater, which reopened in 2015 after it was almost destroyed by Hurricane Andrew 23 years earlier. The Cybrarium, part of Homestead Station, is a state-of-the-art library where technology and literacy converge. The free Downtown Trolley allows visitors to explore an area that in 2007 was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently filled with dining options. Other popular destinations include seasonal farmers markets, which serve everything from sticky buns to brisket. Boutique shops are prominent downtown, and several city shopping centers offer big-box retailers and grocery stores.
Homestead Station is home to EVO Entertainment, with a bowling alley, arcade, and bar.
The Homestead Police Station is conveniently located in Downtown Homestead.
The Seminole Theater is the main culture center in Hometead, FL.
Travel in the Historical Trolley for easy access in Downtown Homestead.
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Homebuyers attracted to relatively affordable options
The city’s median sales price is about $450,000. “In the past 10 years, Homestead has attracted people because of lower home prices,” Cadenas says. “That doesn’t mean prices haven’t gone up, but it has become a destination for people looking for more affordable options.” Those options range from small condos to large pool homes and new model homes in amenities-filled gated communities. Contemporary homes built primarily from the 1980s into the 2000s are found in neighborhood settings throughout the city. Older homes include ranch-style designs on oversized lots that offer not only space but little to no HOA fees. The city is near Biscayne Bay, so flooding and related wind damage are risks tied to insurance costs.
Homestead, FL has newly developed modern homes for residents to choose from.
Homes in Homestead, FL are affordable for new residents.
Ranch-style homes in Homestead, FL, offers residents spacious lots and friendly neighbors.
Affordable condos are readily available in Homestead, FL.
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School for Advanced Studies is one of the county's highest-rated institutions
Students attend Miami-Dade County public schools. The district earns an A-minus from Niche. The city’s School for Advanced Studies, which serves students in 11th and 12th grades, is one of the few district schools that earns an A-plus. It is located on the Homestead campus of Miami Dade College. The two institutions partnered to give high-performing students a chance to earn an associate of arts degree while finishing the final two years of high school.
Conveniently located between Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park
Losner Park’s recent expansion into a 3-acre walkable green space was key to the city’s downtown revitalization efforts. Biscayne National Park, east of the city, provides beachgoers, boaters and anglers with multiple recreational opportunities. Everglades National Park, the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, is west of the city. Its abundance of native wildlife makes it a haven for nature lovers. A third of its waters can be navigated by boat or kayak. Visitors can also explore the park via hiking and biking trails. Residents also have access to golf and other resort-style activities. Homestead-Miami Speedway hosts an annual weekend of NASCAR races as well as selected playoff races.
Losner Park is a great place for young residents of Homestead, FL to have fun and relax.
Residents of Homestead, FL, can enjoy the beauty of Everglades National Park, minutes from home.
Biscayne National Park near Homestead, FL, offers residents a quiet place to fish.
Homestead Speedway is a great place to experience NASCAR races and select playoff races.
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Homestead Station provides public transportation into Miami
Homestead Station’s transit center provides a centralized location from which residents can commute. The Metrobus connects to the Coconut Grove Metrorail station. From there, it’s about a 20-minute ride into downtown Miami. The Tri-Rail commuter service, which shares its tracks with Amtrak, has yet to expand south of Miami International Airport, which is about 35 miles away. Growth has created the need for alternative travel options. “Traffic going into and within Homestead has increased dramatically,” Cadenas says. Homestead has a general aviation airport. It’s also home to Baptist Health Homestead Hospital. U.S. Highway 1 connects directly to Miami and other destinations along the coast. It can also be taken into the Florida Keys.
With a career spanning two decades, Tony J. Valencia is a passionate full-time Realtor® with a deep love for the Real Estate and Mortgage Lending industry. Since 2004, Tony has gained extensive experience across various sectors, including lending, servicing, asset management, and real estate sales. As a dedicated member of the National, Florida, and Miami Association of Realtors since 2016, Tony is committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
Tony leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance efficiency and deliver outstanding results for his clients. His passion for real estate drives him to go the extra mile for every client, taking great pride in helping sellers, buyers, and investors achieve their real estate goals with a personalized and results-driven approach.
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