[TKramar]

Originally Posted by tishpit

The old Wal-Mart building next to Walgreens is now empty. I read a while back it was to be a new motorcycle shop, but haven't seen anything happen as of yet. Was hoping for a nice little Target or Office Max or even a nice indoor flea market. We'll have to wait and see. The new Super Wal-Mart is not far... just go up Burnt Store Rd., cross 41 and it turns into Jones Loop Rd. About 1/2 mile up on the right. Nice store! Also fast food near-by as well as some fairly low priced gas stations. Usually cheaper than those on 41 in PG.

SHoney's, Waffle House, Taco Bell, McDonald's, Wendy's...hmm, was there a Burger King there too? Yes, I'm somewhat familiar with that area. Worked at the Wendy's in '92.

I was hoping that if they moved it, they'd open up some kind of roller rink, or other kid-friendly place.

[SoFLGal]

If you are buying a home in Punta Gorda make sure you get a flood insurance quote BEFORE you submit an offer or sign any contract. Here's why:

Many of the properties in Punta Gorda have been grandfathered in and get special flood insurance rates. The only way to tell if they get this rate is to go back and pull the old FEMA flood maps which can be found at the Charlotte county zoning dept or possibly a local insurance agent might have these. The old base flood plane elevation, back in the 70's and early 80's was 9ft. It is now over 10ft for the base flood plane elevation. If you can get a FEMA Flood Panel Map back in the early 80's and submit this to FEMA who issues the flood insurance rates often times you can get a huge rate decrease.

Many of the local Realtors and insurance companies that sell in Punta Gorda are not aware of this and I would imagine there are many people in Punta Gorda and other areas of the state that are paying MUCH higher flood insurance rates than they should. If you call FEMA they most likely will not be aware of this or they often times don't give the correct information out. The only was to know is to pull the old maps. Here's an example of what I'm taking about:

Home "A" that is in Punta Gorda and is not grandfathered in with the new flood maps, the home was built in 1982 and is at an elevation of 7.2'. The flood insurance would be $6998. That's just for flood. If it was grandfathered in on the FEMA maps the flood would be $1024. The savings on this home per year for flood is $5974.

Home "B" that is in Punta Gorda and is not grandfathered in with the new flood maps, the home was built in 1979 and is at an elevation of 9.4 feet. The flood insurance would be $5387. Just for flood. If it was grandfathered in on the FEMA maps the flood would be $998. This difference on this home is $4389.

You can save a ton of money by having this information. Just thought I'd pass it along

[MrTudo]

I agree as do many other's:

[SoFLGal]

Gee, thanks guys

[Big House]

MrTudo,

That is really cool.



To you and SoFlGal

[Big House]

I was reading through some of the other messages on the board, and saw that Punta Gorda had a fish market. It stated it was shut down. Are there any plans for it to reopen?

Maryland has a huge fish market that opens very early in the morning. Generally it is used to serve all stores and restaurants, and I believe it transfers seafood to a lot of places / cities up and down the Mid-Atlantic. Is there any place in SW Florida that has a place like that?

[Big House]

I read a few nice/interesting things about Venice. How far is that in travel time from PGI?

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Big House

I read a few nice/interesting things about Venice. How far is that in travel time from PGI?

As far so I know they are not planning on reopening the fish market.

Driving distance from PGI to Miami Ave (downtown Venice)-33 miles or 40 minutes.

[TKramar]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

As far so I know they are not planning on reopening the fish market.

Driving distance from PGI to Miami Ave (downtown Venice)-33 miles or 40 minutes.

For fish...I'd look into Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda, or the one in Port Charlotte, around the 1900 or 2000 block, on your right side heading north.

[Big House]

Hey - After the thread name that I started someone added "(Tamiami, Sarasota, Fort Myers: real estate, housing, condo)" to it when you bring it up. Look at the top of the page when you bring it up.

Coooool !