After six years of stagnation and economic hardship, Florida is slowly coming out of the recession cocoon.

Recently, the Sunshine State's unemployment rate fell to 8.5%, the lowest in nearly four years, and combined with the momentum of the housing market, it clearly shows that Florida is on a positive path and has been for months. Pending home sales, closed sales and prices are all trending up.

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 17,779 in October, up 25.3% compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department and vendor partner 10K Research and Marketing. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.