Where to look for a home

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Hi all you warm weather friends!!

We are looking for an area in Florida to buy a home. Because we will be buying a small house here in NJ for the summers and visiting family we are looking to purchase in an area that we can find a home that isn't expensive and has a backyard for the doodles. Everything I see has great homes but no yard! A gated community is not necessary. Any suggestions where to look for a property that actually has big back yards?

thanks!!

Adrianne

[Jen Lesshafft]

We currently live in Daytona Beach and just bought our first home. Depending on your budget, you can find a beautiful home with a great backyard here (check out Port Orange, New Smyrna and Ormond Beach). We also lived in Jacksonville and loved it! We moved out of state for a while and always said if we moved back to Florida, it would be back to Jax. We ended up back in Daytona due to family health issues but we're really happy to be back. :) Welcome to Florida!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

We were in Orlando for 10 years.  While the home we had didn't have enough yard for doodles there were houses in the neighborhood (think corner lots or end of cul de sacs that would have accommodated them.  One thing you will need to watch is if you happen to be on a corner or on a lake (retention pond) there will most likely be fencing restrictions for height!  Most neighborhoods in FL unless you are out in the country have Home Owners Associations and they limit some of the things you can do.  Should be a fairly good time to buy as the market really tanked in the last several years but is starting to rebound I think.  Be sure and talk with your homeowners insurance agent before buying.  When we left there in Dec of '07 our Agent told us do not cancel your policy until the house has closed and you are certain that it will not fall through because if you cancel we will not re insure you in Florida.  They were no longer writing policies there.  I would think the easiest way would be to just decide what part you want in and then give your wish list to a realtor.  I would think you can get a descent size yard pretty much any where, just might not have as large a selection as you would if you didn't care.   

[Gail and Bailey]

Just want to add my opinion as we lived in south Florida for 6 years 2001-2007.  We were glad to get out as the insurance rates and taxes were so high!!.  Look into it thoroughly before you buy.  Other than that...good luck and enjoy the warm winters!!  

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

We would love to have you in Jacksonville! We very rarely get hit by the hurricanes due to the curve of the coastline. I'm not sure there has ever been a direct hit here. Which is something to consider when buying in Florida. We have a nice sized back yard but we do live in the end of a cul-de-sac. The rest of our neighborhood haas smaller lots. There are nicer neighborhoods though (read: more expensive) that do have really bigger yards.

[Mindy Roaderick]

What part of the state interests you? We live in North Central Fl- Ocala to be exact. Lots of yard space around here for sure. Let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy to help. Cost of housing here is MUCH cheaper than NJ so that will be refreshing. Good luck on your search!

[Debbie Kaikaka]

Mya and I are in Port Saint Lucie, the treasure coast. and have a great friend who handles real estate. When you are interested give us a call and we can hook you up with her.  She got us a great piece of property and I just got one of my friends a great house on .69 acres. :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Thanks!!!!  We are open to any area. The most important thing is the price and the yard. We have an apt in Miami Beach that we are going to sell, it is in the rental program at the Fontainebleau. As much as I love being in Southern Florida the prices are ridiculous. 

No taxes could possibly be higher then what we paying here - which is why we are selling and moving. 

[Wendy Gunkel]

Hi Adrianne,

I live in Hollywood. I have a pool and back yard. The housing market started heading upward fast this last spring. I live in a neighborhood. No HOA and not gated! I would never live in an HOA commuinty. My house was built in 67. Good luck on the house hunt. 

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Good advice from everyone!  Just wanted to say welcome to Florida...Ditto on the "we would love to have you in Jacksonville".

 

[Diane Horner]

If you are still looking, I live in Wesley Chapel, FL.  It is located approx. 20 miles north of Tampa in Pasco County where the taxes are cheaper.  I live in the southeast corner of the county where sinkholes are not a problem (at least not yet).  Our development is Meadow Pointe and there are new (still building) and resale homes available.  There is a HOA (our fee is $92 a year) and we also have a CDD fee (approx. $1200 a year).  I love this area.  When we were looking, I kept coming back to the area and decided that I liked it best of all.  We are approx. 1 hr. and 15 mins. from Fort Desoto Dog Beach.  We have met several people from the East Coast of Florida who travel just to go to the beach.  Our doodle loves this beach.  On the way home, we stop at dog friendly eateries in Pinellas County.  Pinellas is very dog friendly.  If you need or want more info, let me know.  I would be happy to assist in any way.