[Muggy]

I've been looking at properties in this development, but it sounds like it's going downhill. Even though there have been some bright spots in Florida real estate in the past week, I still think it's too risky. Check out some of problems listed in the manager's report:

Rotonda West Association, Inc.: Meeting Minutes


* We have had some very sad phone calls from property owners who are hanging on by a thread to their homes but with that said we must make every attempt possible to collect all monies owed the Association. We have identified 9 entities who own at least 5 properties each totaling 100 delinquent accounts.

* There is great concern by our owners over the conditions of the canals. I have spoken to and met with a number of our owners over the obvious lack of water in the canals, the growth of weeds, the amount of water being pumped from the canals by the golf courses and the status of the repairing of the breach in the dam.

* We have received many calls from property owners concerned about overgrown vacant lots

* Deed Restriction enforcement continues to be a challenge.


This is such a huge problem in Florida because so many of the properties are in deed restricted communities. What happens when the HOA faces challenges like these? I'd love to hear a first hand account. I don't think a lot of potential buyers realize the risks of buying in a deed restricted community.

[2peaches2oranges]

I live in Rotonda West and I pass some homes that definately look like foreclosures with the high grass and weeds. It is not just Rotonda, it is the whole area which is suffering with little to no job creation, high taxes, high food prices, high gas prices, etc...

The area of Rotonda that looks like it has the most foreclosed properties is the older section, Oakland Hills, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst... you can buy a home in those sections pretty cheaply, close to $100,000 depending on the home and location.

If you consider Rotonda, definately check into Pine Valley and White Marsh which are several miles from the old section and the lots and homes are taken care of. Of course, there could be someone suffering in the newer sections too, but you cannot tell here as far as I can see...

People on fixed incomes or just not making enough money to pay everything are choosing to NOT pay their property taxes and/or their HOA fees. The HOA fees in Rotonda are $136 a year and they take credit cards...

I do not live on a canal but I have read in the local paper about the dam breach...

My greenbelt area was recently mowed and I know they only mow the vacant lots several times a year, this is normally our dry season and we have had pretty good rain in April, so the weeds grew a little faster.

It is very good to do your research on the area, the HOA here has kept the values up and it is very evident as soon as you drive out of Rotonda. HOA's are not for everyone, but I am glad to have them and hopefully they can put liens on the properties not paid yet and get their money soon. 100 delinquent accounts with 5000 homesites is not bad (not verifying numbers just estimating)...

[Shores9]

Muggy

I don't live there but I checked out their web site and they say that many exotic (Rare Birds) make it their home. Sounds like it would be a great fit for you.

[Muggy]

Originally Posted by Shores9

Muggy

I don't live there but I checked out their web site and they say that many exotic (Rare Birds) make it their home. Sounds like it would be a great fit for you.

You're so funny. I like how you smile at me.

[mr&mrssunshine]

we own land in Rotonda and hope to build and move next year. have to say the HOA seems to do a good job,one of the things we always comment as we leave the area driving up towards 776 is thank god for deed restriction. Some of the homes outside are stacked with boats monster trucks and various bits and bobs and generally look like crap.

There do seem to be some foreclosures (we looked at a few last visit) but as said they are all in the older part, the western side of the circle still looks as neat as always.

We are looking forward to joining the community although our lot is so remote we dodnt reckon on having neighbours for years.

[wbowley]

I live in Rotonda and can't say I have much to complain about. I have a vacant lot next door and I don't expect it to look like a golf course fairway. The HOA pays to have them mowed several times a year and I have no problem with that. I do see a number of for sale signs on homes and see the occasional house with overgrown yards and high weeds.

In the current economy you have to expect that. Due to the size of Rotonda you would be hard pressed to find that there are no homes affected by the downturn we are experiencing right now. Some of the homes may be owned by investors and others may be owned by people who just can't afford it any more. I don't see why someone would be alarmed to hear that there are problems in Rotonda.

What sort of risks are you referring to when you say "I don't think a lot of potential buyers realize the risks of buying in a deed restricted community"?

[Bigdawg107]

My wife and I are retired and in our young 50's and we are going to relocate to Florida and thinking about Placida, Rotunda west or Englewood area.....any suggestions?

[Anne1125]

When we purchased our lot in East Englewood a couple of years ago we went and visited the area. Our lot is 5 min. from the gulf, just off of McCall and that was important to us. We don't like deed restrictions, but that's just us.

We didn't want well water and have city and would have preferred sewers but we're waiting for those.

Watch out for scub jays (birds) if you buy a lot. The rules are strict.

There are some great deals on homes there now. If you go to the Venice, Sarasota sub-listing of this forum there is a highly thought of realtor there (I forget her sign on but you can't miss her if you scan the forum) you should contact.

Anne

[justNancy]

Hi, I always do my due diligence and search for a thread about a topic before posting! (Well, sometimes!)

So this is a thread I found about Rotunda West and I'd like to continue the discussion.

I like the beach and can't find anything decent to live in where I now reside (Bonita Springs) in my price range, at least not any home I'd enjoy. So I began looking in other states a couple of years ago and then...well, the "economy" happened. The bad side is I don't have as much money, and the good side is that I might actually be able to afford a home in Florida. At first I looked in North Port, but there's just something about it that doesn't appeal to me. I can't quite put my finger on it, so if you live there, please don't be offended. However, I saw some photos of Rotunda West and wanted to know from anyone who has lived there if it's very far from 41 and the approximate time it usually takes to get to I-75. One thing I really liked about North Port was its proximity to I-75.

One thing I've noticed is that I-75 gets closer to the center of the state as you travel north. Also 41 (Tamiami Trail) is further from the Gulf of Mexico. For example, according to mapquest, my home is less than 5 miles to I-75, 2 miles to route 41, yet I can walk to Barefoot Beach. But when I look at properties listed in Charlotte & Sarasota Counties, the homes that are close to the beach seem to be very far from the interstate.

[SoFLGal]

Rotonda is about 35 minutes to I-75 but it's also about 10 minutes from the beach. So, I guess it's a trade off-close to the beach in exchange for quick access to I-75.