[Shores9]

I have come to realize that there are many issues clouding the facts on both sides of the real estate argument.

In the past I chose to look at the numbers as they have always been the most reliable basis to formulate opinion. However, the numbers and information I was looking at was only as good as the news articles and media sources I criticized others for using.

I believe that much of the doom and gloom stories will fade away but the reality is that Florida real estate is overpriced and overtaxed making it unaffordable for the most of its residents.

Since government historically is unwilling to address the monsters that they create and will unlikely trim their spending and taxing habits then prices of homes will have to fall. Businesses and families are coming in at much smaller numbers and it is only a matter of time before the trend turns to declining population and loss of businesses. I relied in the past on census projections but more recently have been looking at other factors like student school population and US Postal data and the trend is scary.

Student school population has only increased 500 seats for the entire state in the recent year over year count. Large counties like Pinellas have actually seen a drop in student population

Bottom line is people are looking at affordability in either a place to live or a place to do business or both. Florida is not that place anymore.

Prices will have to go back to 2001-2002 levels or taxes will have to be cut 20-50 percent or a combination of the two to keep people and businesses coming. Florida is NOT NY or CA. Take away the industries that came in the last 5-8 years and you are left with agriculture (which is only getting smaller) and tourism.

I may sell out entirely and rent – Imagine that!!! And when I buy cash in TN NC SC GA and pay $60 per month for insurance instead of $600 and $100 per month for taxes instead of $1000 I take the savings and see Florida from 30,000 ft as I fly to Mexico or Costa Rica for two months

Yes your right!!!!!!! The only thing is.... what’s left of Florida will be very scary – not a place I’d like to live in even at lower home prices. Too much C R A P and corruption

[nomoresnow]

Nice to see you, Shores. You are missed on the forum.

[Cougar31]

Shores,
This is so true. I have talked with ex-Floridians about what is going on now, it is becoming less and less "attractive" for midle class. From high insurance costs, high taxes, and rise of crime. Some are selling and relocating elsewhere. For me, I have always been attracted by Florida, the coast, palm trees,..etc, I will always keep that image in my mind and try to dissipate the rest.
Regards,

[tallrick]

Without a middle class Florida is toast. Don't people see the handwriting on the wall?

[dreamofmonterey]

Originally Posted by tallrick

Without a middle class Florida is toast. Don't people see the handwriting on the wall?

Yes that seems to be happening. No schools, teachers, no blue collar infrastructure.

On Maui they have problems like that. The multi-millionaires have bought land there. Then when they live there, they find they cannot get ANY help for their mansion- cant bring their kids there, as there is not alot in place for thenm to do. It is an interesting predicament. We met a small hotel owner andd speculator there who used to live in Orlando. Very insightful businessman. Trying to find a way around the land rights issues there- so he can start building cookie cutter developments on Maui (will probably not happen, with the powerful landowners they have there) But it reminded me of Florida.

[Jammie]

Shores, I missed you!! I think of all your beautiful pics every day.

Unfortunately, your entire post sounds very accurate. It appears to be getting to be so unaffordable there that soon only the wealthy WILL be living there. Florida has a lot of beauty and also great weather, but it doesn't help a lot if we wouldn't make enough money to pay rent. Oh and by the way, nice to see you're considering renting. It looks like that's the way to go there right now. If things don't change, more people will be in the company of Jeb and be a renter.

[faithfulFrank]

I respect your opinions because you have the "florida experience" that I do not.
Do you think then that a person such as myself, who just bought a home there in Central florida, surrounded by somewhat "comfortable" retirees, be able to keep himself busy doing this "blue collar" handyman work for extra cash??

It seems like there is a lot of people looking for someone who is skilled in minor electrical/plumbing/remodeling work.........someone who does quality work for an affordable price. I LOVE keeping busy doing this type of stuff. I'll be moving into the Florida home debt-free in about four years with a reasonable pension, but will want to keep "busy" for "pocket money", etc.

I'm thinking there will always be this type of work that I can do if I want, or say no if I do not. What do you think??

Frank D.

[firemed]

Originally Posted by Shores9

I have come to realize that there are many issues clouding the facts on both sides of the real estate argument.

In the past I chose to look at the numbers as they have always been the most reliable basis to formulate opinion. However, the numbers and information I was looking at was only as good as the news articles and media sources I criticized others for using.

I believe that much of the doom and gloom stories will fade away but the reality is that Florida real estate is overpriced and overtaxed making it unaffordable for the most of its residents.

Since government historically is unwilling to address the monsters that they create and will unlikely trim their spending and taxing habits then prices of homes will have to fall. Businesses and families are coming in at much smaller numbers and it is only a matter of time before the trend turns to declining population and loss of businesses. I relied in the past on census projections but more recently have been looking at other factors like student school population and US Postal data and the trend is scary.

Student school population has only increased 500 seats for the entire state in the recent year over year count. Large counties like Pinellas have actually seen a drop in student population

Bottom line is people are looking at affordability in either a place to live or a place to do business or both. Florida is not that place anymore.

Prices will have to go back to 2001-2002 levels or taxes will have to be cut 20-50 percent or a combination of the two to keep people and businesses coming. Florida is NOT NY or CA. Take away the industries that came in the last 5-8 years and you are left with agriculture (which is only getting smaller) and tourism.

I may sell out entirely and rent – Imagine that!!! And when I buy cash in TN NC SC GA and pay $60 per month for insurance instead of $600 and $100 per month for taxes instead of $1000 I take the savings and see Florida from 30,000 ft as I fly to Mexico or Costa Rica for two months

Yes your right!!!!!!! The only thing is.... what’s left of Florida will be very scary – not a place I’d like to live in even at lower home prices. Too much C R A P and corruption

Shores glad to see your back.

[Bones]

Shores, good to see you back. Glad you see the situation from anothers eyes.

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by faithfulFrank

I'm thinking there will always be this type of work that I can do if I want, or say no if I do not. What do you think??

Frank D.

I think that there is a definite lack of good "handywork" type professionals out there!! It was like pulling teeth to find people who actually WANTED to work back when I had some projects that I wanted done in my house, like laying floating floors and tile. Many others that I know have had similar problems as well finding "good help!"

If you are good at what you do and provide good service, I think that you will quickly develop a word-of-mouth reputation that will keep you more than busy!!