[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by D-R-B

I said "in many areas" you get more property- NOT ALL AREAS.

I also said "for the most part" houses are thrown together- NOT ALL HOUSES

I also said "for the most part" the lots are just big enough for the house- NOT ALL THE LOTS ARE THAT SMALL.

I put those phrases in their to avoid this exact response..........

and it still happens?

Well I don't understand you're point then.

I could use the EXACT SAME phraseology and say, "For the most part," New Jersey is densely populated in old houses on small lots.

"For the most part" the lots are just big



Besides, you're STILL wrong.... as most homes in Florida are typically on 1/4 acre lots.

I am wondering by what standard you're using to backup your opinion that most homes are "thrown together" as well. Especially these days, and especially post-Andrew hurricane codes, where most homes have to meet construction and stability standards that homes not in hurricane zones don't even have to bother with.

Most new construction commercial buildings, for example, are poured concrete castings.... when visiting family in Ohio, I saw a new office building being built out of WOOD. Unheard of in Florida!!

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

I am wondering by what standard you're using to backup your opinion that most homes are "thrown together" as well. Especially these days, and especially post-Andrew hurricane codes, where most homes have to meet construction and stability standards that homes not in hurricane zones don't even have to bother with.

It's the dichotomy of modern Florida construction- the bones of a structure are built to the toughest standards in America, and there are rumblings of making the code tougher still and bringing it in line with Bahamas or Cayman Islands standards. But the 'fit & finish' on new homes here tends to be mind-blowingly awful and corners are cut in every place a builder can (and that's not even counting the Chinese drywall fiasco hitting parts of the state)

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by TANaples

who are unemployed how affordable Florida is now. Tell that to everybody who is coming down here thinking that too, who DON'T already have a JOB lined up here before they move.

Unemployed people are not in the market for homes, do I don't think it really matters to them how affordable homes are, now does it?

What I'm saying is that if you have a job, and have a home, or are like the many who are looking to buy and trying to time the market, it's probably a once in a lifetime opportunity these next couple of years.

Originally Posted by TANaples

Why do you think Obama came to Ft. Myers, Florida (9.9% unemployment)? Because it is economically one of the worst cities in the country to be in right now.

Ok, and so? Florida was at the front of the lead up in the economy, and is at the front of the decline. Same with many places in California. No place is immune. Even New York City is projected to hit or exceed 10.5%.

[Pooring Footers]

"Besides, you're STILL wrong.... as most homes in Florida are typically on 1/4 acre lots."


Which houses are you refering to? Not ones that have been built in the last 5-10 yrs. Many are zero lot line, some are a little bigger, 15 ft from one another (7.5 ft on each side). Some older, more established neighborhoods have bigger lots though.

Besides, many folks probably dont consider 1/4 acre lots to be big. I think 1/2 acre lots are far better, give you much more room and privacy, and dont give it the sardine look that so much of FL has.

[beachmouse]

I prefer 1/4 acre lots to 1/2 acre lots from an urban planning standpoint- big enough to have a 'real' back yard or install an average-sized pool, but you can end up with a population density that's not so urban sprawly if you're doing it right.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

It's the dichotomy of modern Florida construction- the bones of a structure are built to the toughest standards in America, and there are rumblings of making the code tougher still and bringing it in line with Bahamas or Cayman Islands standards. But the 'fit & finish' on new homes here tends to be mind-blowingly awful and corners are cut in every place a builder can (and that's not even counting the Chinese drywall fiasco hitting parts of the state)

I still think we're dealing with the issue of "New" construction anywhere. Since most of FLorida's housing stock is relatively new compared to other, older parts of the United States, you see that same "assembly line" mentality used by major developers and commercial home builders that wasn't the case "back in the day."

My grandfather's home in NE NJ built in the early 1900s was much better built than my cousin's much newer (and cheaper looking) home in Brick, NJ, built in the 80s.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Pooring Footers;

Which houses are you refering to? Not ones that have been built in the last 5-10 yrs. Many are zero lot line, some are a little bigger, 15 ft from one another (7.5 ft on each side). Some older, more established neighborhoods have bigger lots though.

Depends on where you go. Again, "Many" may be zero lot line, but those are typically in gated subdivisions in areas where land prices are expensive.

Additionally, there has also been a movement towards "new urbanism" where people PURPOSEFULLY get smaller lots in exchange for more "public space" and/or "nature reserve" space. Like Abacoa in Jupiter, Southwood in Tallahassee, and Celebration in Orlando. I lived in a new urbanist neighborhood in Tallahassee and found the model MUCH more environmentally friendly than the "1/4 acre to 1/2 acre lot" formula.

Originally Posted by Pooring Footers

Besides, many folks probably dont consider 1/4 acre lots to be big. I think 1/2 acre lots are far better, give you much more room and privacy, and dont give it the sardine look that so much of FL has.

Most people in AMERICA do not live on 1/2 acre lots. Especially in population centers. 1/4 - 1/3 acre is pretty standard. I live in an old home in a historic district a mile from downtown and have I THINK I have at best a .18 acre lot. More than enough space.

[Pooring Footers]

.18 acre lot may be enough space for you, I am on .15, and I think it's too small for sure. When driving down the street, it's hard to count how many houses are on it b/c of the closeness. Typically, if you go to other states in the southeast, even in places like Charlotte and Atlanta, the homes that are new and on par with homes like mine are on bigger lots.

[beachmouse]

Originally Posted by TriMT7

I still think we're dealing with the issue of "New" construction anywhere. Since most of FLorida's housing stock is relatively new compared to other, older parts of the United States, you see that same "assembly line" mentality used by major developers and commercial home builders that wasn't the case "back in the day."

When I visit family up in Michigan at the right time of the year, we'll go through the Parade of Homes up there. Fit & finish standards and expectations are definitely higher up there than what you get in a similar Parade of Homes house down here (trying to compare like to like and assuming that builders in both states are putting out what they see as attractive product for potential customers)

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

When I visit family up in Michigan at the right time of the year, we'll go through the Parade of Homes up there. Fit & finish standards and expectations are definitely higher up there than what you get in a similar Parade of Homes house down here (trying to compare like to like and assuming that builders in both states are putting out what they see as attractive product for potential customers)

Haha, I dunno, I went to a parade of homes in SW Ohio (Springboro).... million dollar homes..... plastic tub surrounds!!!!