By Jennifer Kilpatrick
Drive south from Delray Beach on A1A and the storefronts thin out, then disappear entirely once the road narrows into Highland Beach, a stretch of barrier island with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal close enough to watch a boat idle past on the other. For years, buyers treated this town as a place to pass through on the way to Boca Raton. Now more of the calls I get are from those looking to invest, not visitors looking for a weekend view. Investors want value that holds over time, and the tightly controlled housing supply here is exactly what makes that possible.
Key Takeaways
- Learn how Highland Beach's location between Boca Raton and Delray Beach shapes its investment appeal.
- Discover which Highland Beach neighborhoods and condo buildings hold value best over time.
- Understand how limited new construction here supports long-term property values.
- Find out how Florida's tax structure adds to the case for investing in Highland Beach.
A Town That Chose to Stay Small
Highland Beach sits on one of the narrowest strips of land in Palm Beach County, with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal on the other, and the town has spent most of its history keeping a residential feel in mind. Zoning restrictions have kept retail and commercial spaces at a minimum, and it's why property values here have remained steady. People love living in a quiet, calm community.
What Keeps Highland Beach's Home Supply Steady
- A zoning code that has stayed residential-only since incorporation, keeping the town free of retail centers, hotels, and higher-density housing
- Only two businesses operating within the entire town, a restaurant tied to the Delray Sands Resort and a single real estate office next door, a rarity for a coastal address this close to two larger cities
- A shoreline narrow enough that most of the land between the ocean-side towers and the Intracoastal-side estates is already established and well kept
- A resident base that tends to hold onto property for years, keeping the market steady rather than flooded with turnover even in strong seasons
Owners here count on a real estate industry with decades of consistency, which is a safer bet than most coastal markets can offer.
Where Highland Beach's Value Concentrates
Not every address in Highland Beach carries the same investment profile. A high-rise unit and a deep-water lot come with very different returns, and knowing which one fits your goal matters before you start looking.
The Enclaves Worth Knowing by Name
- Bel Lido, where waterfront estates back directly onto the Intracoastal with private docks deep enough for real boats, not just skiffs
- Toscana, whose oceanfront towers put nearly every unit within sight of the water and draw buyers who want resort-style amenities without leaving the building
- Byrd Beach and Ocean Place Estates, where custom Mediterranean-style homes sit on some of the largest remaining lots in town
- Braemar Isle inside the Boca Highland community, a smaller-scale entry point for buyers who want a foothold here without competing at the top of the market
Each community draws a different type of buyer and behaves like its own market. Knowing the difference is how you avoid overpaying, or underselling, once you decide to buy or sell.
The Best of Both Worlds, Just Minutes Away
Highland Beach remains a small community on purpose, but residents are not cut off from everyday amenities. Boca Raton and Delray Beach are both a short drive away, and each offers a variety of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, grocery stores, and more.
What's Worth the Short Drive
- Mizner Park and the Town Center at Boca Raton, covering everything from designer retail to outdoor concerts at the Mizner Park Amphitheater
- Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, where the restaurant and gallery scene runs late into the evening
- Red Reef Park, a stretch of beach and snorkeling reef that locals treat as their own even though it's open to the public
- The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, a quieter option inland for anyone who wants a break from the coastline
Few coastal towns offer this combination: privacy at home and real convenience only a short drive away.
Why the Investment Logic Holds Up
Limited new construction explains why property here tends to hold value, but it isn't the only piece of the case. Florida's tax structure is important to know before buyers even look at a single listing.
What Else Works in an Investor's Favor
- No state income tax in Florida, which noticeably improves the after-tax return for buyers relocating from higher-tax states
- A seasonal buyer base that keeps demand steady through the winter months without leaning on any single industry
- A resale market where turnover stays slow, giving sellers room to price with confidence rather than compete against a flood of similar listings
- Enough distance from the more built-up parts of the coast that Highland Beach has avoided the speculative overbuilding that erodes value elsewhere
Put the tax advantages together with the limited supply, and Highland Beach begins looking like a prime financial decision. As their local real estate professional, I go over investment details with my clients before they write an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Beach a good long-term investment?
Yes. The town has stayed residential for decades with no sign of changing, so the housing supply here stays predictable while other coastal markets keep adding new units.
What types of properties perform best for investors in Highland Beach?
Oceanfront condos in buildings like Toscana tend to attract the steadiest rental interest, while waterfront estates in Bel Lido appeal more to buyers who plan to hold for the long run. Don’t worry, I walk my clients through both paths before we start touring properties.
Do I need to live in Highland Beach full-time to benefit from owning here?
Not at all. Plenty of my clients split their time between Highland Beach and another home, and the seasonal rental market here supports this lifestyle. Property management nearby makes it manageable for owners who are only around part of the year.
Contact Jennifer Kilpatrick Today
I have sold real estate in Highland Beach for years. Throughout my career, I’ve tracked Highland Beach’s neighborhoods that have performed well over time, so I can lead my clients to the communities that uphold their value. And when it’s time to make an offer, I use first-class negotiation strategies to ensure my investors receive a fair price.
If you want to know more about investing in Highland Beach, feel free to reach out to me, Jennifer Kilpatrick. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have and set you on the right path toward a successful and profitable investment opportunity.
