Real Estate
Welcome to Martin County!
Martin County, the jewel of Florida’s Treasure Coast welcomes all who seek a place of natural beauty with no high-rise buildings and no crowds, a resident’s paradise that exudes the charm and authenticity that continues to make Florida famous.Martin County has taken great care to preserve its natural beauty while offering some of the finest recreational activities in the state. Martin County is a water wonderland, bordered by the sparkling blue Atlantic Ocean to the east and magnificent Lake Okeechobee to the west. It is traversed north and south by the Intracoastal Waterway and east and west by Florida’s only cross-state canal.
Martin County is a respite for northern families looking to escape the cold winters and southern families leaving behind the overcrowded South Florida area. Martin County is comprised of several cities and municipalities of which we have listed characteristics of each. Whether you’re looking for waterfront, golf course, equestrian, agricultural, family communities or downtown living, Martin County has all of your relocation needs.
Martin County offers a diverse range of housing, from modest to luxurious. There is prime oceanfront, waterfront with docks and/or golf course, small residential areas located in quiet, secluded neighborhoods and country estates.
A great deal of the housing centers around communities catering to people interested in amenities such as golf, tennis, clubhouse, pool and other recreational activities. We find that many potential residents spend a season or two in a leased house, condo or apartment to determine their preference of area before they purchase. Housing ranges in price from $50,000 to $6,000,000.
Oceanfront and waterfront condos start at about $150,000 and estate types up to $6.0 million. Prices ranging from $100,000 to $750,000 are typical in golf course communities where homes can vary from patio to townhouse to single family dwellings.
A variety of homes and condos under $100,000 are also available throughout the county. They can be found in various communities, from planned developments to individual lots. Many offer rentals for those unable to afford a house or are in the process of house hunting.
Stuart
Stuart, the county seat, also known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” because of the many sailfish found in the ocean around Martin County, is located along the banks of the St. Lucie River and west of the Indian River near the inlet to the Atlantic Ocean. These rivers are a boater’s paradise with the miles of scenic waterways and both fresh and salt water fishing. Stuart’s charm can be experienced in its quaint downtown with many restaurants, galleries, boutiques, historic theatre and buildings along the boardwalk beside the river.
Sewall's Point
Sewall’s Point is located on a peninsula with the Indian River (Intra-Coastal Waterway) to the East and the Saint Lucie River to the West. Formed in the early 1900 hundreds, its history has been written about by many authors but the best book describing its rich history was written by Sandra Henderson Thurlow, entitled “Sewall’s Point, The History of a Peninsular Community on Florida’s Treasure Coast.”
Located in Martin County it has its own government with a Mayor, Town Council, Town Manager, Town Clerk and Police Department. It is divided by East Ocean Blvd. The Southern portion ends in High Point and the Northern portion ends in Jensen Beach. Many of the homes are on the water with private docks.
Palm City
Palm City is in a perfect location, just west of the ocean and Stuart, surrounded by lots of waterways yet near the Turnpike and I-95, great for commuting! Popular with families, Palm City offers one of the best school systems in the state. The many gated communities offer a variety of activities not only including golf, tennis, fitness, but also private airport homes! Beautiful equestrian properties are also found in western Palm City.
Enjoy great boating or fishing from Palm City on the St. Lucie River, taking you either out to the nearby inlet or south towards lake Okeechobee to the West Coast!
Hobe Sound
Unique in so many ways, Hobe Sound sits in the most environmentally sensitive area of southeastern Martin County. Within Hobe Sound’s 5.7 square miles reside Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound Nature Center and the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge.
Hobe Sound is an interesting small community with wonderful art galleries, small boutiques and excellent restaurants situated along the famous Dixie Highway. Although still somewhat off the beaten track (7 miles east of I-95) Hobe Sound has enjoyed slow growth and continued environmental sanctity.
Hobe Sound is an interesting small community with wonderful art galleries, small boutiques and excellent restaurants situated along the famous Dixie Highway. Although still somewhat off the beaten track (7 miles east of I-95) Hobe Sound has enjoyed slow growth and continued environmental sanctity.
Jensen Beach
Jensen Beach is a quiet ocean and riverfront town with beautiful beaches, great fishing and a quaint downtown with a small town pace. Historic downtown Jensen Beach offers charming cottages where local artisans display and sell original artwork. Jensen Beach also offers a large selection of casual and fine dining establishments, some of which are recognized world-wide. Take a drive along Peacock Lane to see families of colorful peacocks roaming the street.
Take the family to the Environmental Studies Center, Indian Riverside Park, The Children’s Museum or learn to sail at the U.S. Sailing Center.
Port Salerno
Port Salerno is defined by the Manatee Pocket, a body of water which extends from Port Salerno to the St. Lucie Inlet and is fed by several creeks including Salerno and Manatee. It is strategically situated where the Atlantic Ocean meets with the Indian River and St. Lucie River. Port Salerno is a small community which was originally the hub for the South Florida commercial fishing industry.
There are still several fishing and marine-related businesses, but the town has also progressed into a dining, entertainment and cultural arts community.
Indiantown
Indiantown is a small, quiet town about 15 miles west of Stuart, and 8 miles north of the Palm Beach County line, surrounded by citrus groves and cattle ranches. Its location, rich history, demographics and residents make it unique. Home to just under 7,000 residents, Indiantown is a culturally and ethnically diverse, clean, safe and friendly community, surrounded by a rural greenbelt consisting mainly of agriculture.
Horse lovers will enjoy the wide open spaces of acreage communities. Payson Park is one of the top thoroughbred race horse training facilities in the United States. Timer Powers Park, Big Mound Park and the Dupuis hiking trails offer thousands of acres of recreation. The community is economically balanced with an industrial, agricultural, corporate, and commercial base providing good jobs, services, and products available for all its residents.
Jupiter Island
Jupiter Island, the barrier island bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, the west by the Intracoastal Waterway, the Jupiter Inlet to the south and the St. Lucie Inlet to the north, is the winter home to some of the wealthiest families in the United States. Its magnificent tree-lined streets, gated and hidden estates, private country club and beach club provide total privacy to the residents.
Sailfish Point
Sailfish Point, a 32-acre sea island member-owned community of 520 homes, located on the southern-most tip of Hutchinson Island, is private, world-class and unique. To its residents, it's a little piece of "paradise." From the Signature Jack Nicklaus golf course, the views are stunning and as one resident states, it's almost like living on your own "Caribbean Island."
Sailfish Point's miles of pristine beaches give you the best of Florida private, waterfront island living.
Hutchinson Island
There are miles of beautiful sandy beaches to enjoy on this barrier island that is the eastern-most part of Florida’s Treasure Coast. It is bordered by the Fort Pierce Inlet to the north and the St. Lucie Inlet to the south. The lifestyle features a culturally vibrant, yet laid-back quality of life centered on boating, fishing, swimming, beach-combing, surfing, paddleboarding and snorkeling.
There are two life-guarded public beaches in Stuart and Jensen Beach, along with several smaller beach accesses. Dogs are welcome in designated areas and there is no fee for parking. Between late April and August, you can view more than 600 turtles nesting on the beaches of Hutchinson Island. Make sure to visit the House of Refuge, the new Elliott Museum and the Florida Oceanographic Society while on the island.
Real Estate Taxes
Taxes are assesses as of January 1 each year by the city, county and/or special taxing districts. All property taxes are due in November and delinquent if not paid by April 1 of the next year.
Florida law allows homeowners up to $50,000 real estate tax exemption on the assessed value. Requirements for the exemption are: having title or record of your property and residing there as of January 1, and applying for it by March 1. You must have a deed, Florida driver license, voter's registration or Declaration of Domicile to apply. Renewals are made through the mail and are automatic unless your status changes.
Property Appraiser's Office
(772) 288-5608
Realtor Association of Martin County, Inc.
(772) 283-1748