[bmurphy]

Just a note: this thread is about house purchase prices. NOT the taxes, not the insurance, not other expenses. Initial home prices ONLY.

Are they really that ridiculously insane? Most of the prices seem fairly typical of places across the USA. But so many more people in the Florida forums complain about it. I realize the prices have skyrocketed, but they'll calm down, so what's the big worry? Couldn't you just rent while you wait? (I still think renting has its place, especially right when you move).

The Orlando avg. price seems to be near $300k, which is NOT cheap, but it's also not ridiculous. In a lot of places, home prices are not in the 100's anymore, and probably never will be again.

Now I know someone will chime in and say "look what you can get for $60k in Nowheresville, Alabama!!", but that's not really relevant, so please leave that out.

The prices just don't faze me; maybe it's because of Florida's image as "paradise", I always figured it was expensive anyway, and find it hard to believe it was so cheap before. If it was so cheap before, why didn't more people move there? If they did, why did it only just now get expensive?

Just thinking aloud here - I don't see how the prices are so ridiculous, considering they fall mostly in line with or not horribly above the US average. Many states also have higher tax burdens.

[daniellefort]

Here in Citrus County, average homes are going for about $150,000 of course many more higher than that. My neighbor has his up for sale now for $134,900 for a 3 bedroom small fenced in yard and up the road are 2 homes. one on the canal to a lake 2 bedroom for $345,000 (which was just sold for $250,00 only 9 months ago and is for sale again) and a 1 bedroom home for $99,900 also in my neighborhood. Now at the other end of my road is a new development where 2 car garage and 2 or 3 bedrooms start at $179,000 up to $250,000. Now if you move to .....you can find a home for ..... sorry, had to throw that in. haha.

[Racelady88]

We are house hunting in Manatee County. What makes the prices so insane around here is the fact that many of the homes for sale are 60+ years old, in so-so areas, have negligible yards, have not been updated in any way since they were built, and are on the market for $275K and up. Sorry, but I just can't justify that type of a price for a house like that. Especially knowing that just 3 short years ago $100K was asking a lot for most of these homes.

[Need_affordable_home]

Because you can get nice houses in Texas for less than half the price and Texas is a great big state and not in the middle of nowhere. Huge new houses starting at $100k in big Texas cities! FL's prices cant even come close!

[bmurphy]

The only reason you like Texas is because of the cheap housing.

Harsh, but I bet it's true.

[fl1025]

prices are high if you consider what the wages are!

[tichel]

average cost of 3/2/1cg in ft. lauderdale is about 300K. but its not just about how much, it's what you actually get for that price. You will get a ranch syle house about 20-30 years old, small to no backyard. Some may have new appliances and some need work. Square feet probably between 1500-2000square feet.

[Minniemom]

You can actually get a lot for you money in FL compared to other places, so it's not all that bad. On LI, your average 1500 sqft 3 bedroom, 1 bath house, with property size of 60x90 in an average middle class neighborhood can go for $400,000. Then you have to dump $25-50k into it .

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by bmurphy

The only reason you like Texas is because of the cheap housing.

Harsh, but I bet it's true.

Texas has everything Florida has. Want the beaches live in Houston. The only bad thing about Texas is the very hot summers.

[jbravo]

Originally Posted by Minniemom

You can actually get a lot for you money in FL compared to other places, so it's not all that bad. On LI, your average 1500 sqft 3 bedroom, 1 bath house, with property size of 60x90 in an average middle class neighborhood can go for $400,000. Then you have to dump $25-50k into it .

But, they're not selling.