Visa applications

It is always a matter of who decides your case but one needs to understand the criteria. Theoretically, one can get up to 180 days but keep in mind that Americans mostly get a couple of weeks' vacation a year. So anyone taking a long trip they have to wonder why - and how do they finance it? If one has no job then they will suspect one might be looking to illegally work or wonder how one can pay for so much time off.  If one does have a job, then again, how do they get so much time off… Thus one would have to have a situation like being retired or independently wealthy that they can afford not to work, especially if it is not a one time occurrence.  And being successful the first time might not mean it will happen again. Rather than set a precedent that you get further visas for such a time period, it will make the officials more suspicious that one once again wants a long time.

Having property in the States will show that you have a place to stay but also raise suspicion that you are basically trying to live in the States. And the excuse that one wants to avoid the English winters doesn't mean that one needs 180 days. From your post it sounds like you want to live in the States for half of the year which is not the intention of the B2 visa; it's exclusively for tourism. One sees a lot of nonsense on the web about being a digital nomad but it's still working even if one's clients are elsewhere. Such a strategy will not get one around the need for a work visa in the States or in most countries. 

And here is the other problem. Even if you are given a visa, the immigration officials upon arrival in the States can still deny entry; say if they think you plan to work without having a work visa. I would serious question the whole concept of getting tied up in property with this intention unless it is something you would otherwise be able to have managed and rented out.

Plenty of snowbirds spend Canadian and European winters in FL.

What you should consider before buying are all the costs associated with purchase and upkeep. A lot of things you may not expect.

twostep wrote:

Plenty of snowbirds spend Canadian and European winters in FL.

Sure, its warm and that's why it is a tourist destination. And such places want tourists. But the winter is not 6 months long and expecting to spend this much time each year in the States is going to raise suspicions like I already detailed. I just tried to raise the possibility of it being an issue for someone making a long term decision and investment. Always best to be forwarned rather than rely on wishful thinking.

And all the other old folks who winter in Florida get in:)
How many actual cases of well off retirees being refused entry on B2 do you know of? Know of not heard about somewhere by someone. I have one and that couple wanted to rebuild their trailer after weather damage to use it as rental. Work!