The Veritas Real Estate Group, Inc.

Fort Lauderdale is known as the "Venice of the Americas" due to its extensive network of canals, many of which eventually lead to the Atlantic Ocean via the Intracoastal Waterway. This waterway runs from Miami to Maine and consists of inland rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and, in South Florida, a man-made deepwater canal.

Originally built to allow protected shipping during war times it is approximately 1 1/2 blocks west of the beaches and is a bonanza for local boaters. Various canals intersect the Intracoastal which, in turn, in this area leads into the ocean at Port Everglades and Lighthouse Point. Many of these canals are deep water with no fixed bridges so one can see beautiful yachts berthed in front of homes which are a good distance from the ocean. Great life for boat owners.

To sweeten the pot, the State of Florida just passed a new law that caps Florida's tax on boat sales at $18,000. The change goes into effect on July 1, 2010.

So, come on down and buy a canal-front home and cruise the high seas whenever the urge hits you. Scuba divers can buy smaller boats and go diving over our natural coral reefs anytime they like. Paradise!