Cape Coral - cost of home ownership (Fort Myers: condo, high crime)

[Donna-501]

Originally Posted by mlucaj

NYBILL first let me say thanks for your insiteful posts. I have been reading these boards for many days now. I personally am looking to buy a winter home. In your opinion, if you had 150-200K what area of cape coral or ft myers would you purchase in? Pool is mandatory and boating would be nice, although I dont know if you can touch waterfront for that amount Thanks again

I'm not NYBill but I would buy in the SW or SE. I happen to like the SW better but either are good areas. They are more developed then the NE and NW. SE is a little older because that was the area that got built on first.

[NYBill]

There plenty of options out there now as most the of the cheaper (70-80K) foreclosures are being swallowed up at an fast pace.

I know one contractor who is doing at least 3-4 makerovers right now, but landlocked property, older homes yes but once done they are in great shape.

A lot of foreclosed waterfront are being eaten up also, but there are still some good deals out there.

The best thing I can do is offer you a person I know for years who is a agent and has all the listings, she actually handled my home when I bought it and was one of the pleasent people to deal with.

I will send you a private message with here info, tell here your critera and she will put a nice package to gether for you.

If boating and fishing is a priority I would suggest SAILBOAT ACCESS, no bridges or lifts ot deal with. Don't be fooled by GULF ACCESS as some of these home are a real hike to the river.

I live in the S/E section which are older homes but I totoally did mine over in 2002. I live on a canal right off Bimini Basin and 15-20 minutes to the River which brings you to the Gulf

Sorry no way to send a PM here is here e-mail address:

KEKershaw@aol.com

Tell her Bill M sent you.

[mlucaj]

Will do thanks a bunch

[palewaly]

Bill, I was recently looking at homes in Cape Coral, off Pelican and then 52 st. Canal front, end of canal make a right down the main canal to open water. Is this a good place to be for a boater? I am originally from LI myself. I do not want bridges, locks or long runs to open water. Any concerns with the areas off of 52 street?

Originally Posted by NYBill

What are your needs..waterfront..land locked etc,

Please be specific in your answere//has a lot to do with price and what is availble for services also and what your budget is.

I live in the S/e with sailboat access with a canal in my backyard..you may not need that but just ask and I will try my best to help.

[rick hutcherson]

We are looking in the area and were thinking about Estero. I assume you considered that too; any pointers on Cape Coral v. Estero?

[rick hutcherson]

Curious why you think the direction continues downward?

[NYBill]

Originally Posted by palewaly

Bill, I was recently looking at homes in Cape Coral, off Pelican and then 52 st. Canal front, end of canal make a right down the main canal to open water. Is this a good place to be for a boater? I am originally from LI myself. I do not want bridges, locks or long runs to open water. Any concerns with the areas off of 52 street?

I had friends who owned a condo over that way and there is bridge one I know of. Look at a real estate map to se the home location and then look for bridges.

[TigerlillyCA]

I am going to move to the Cape Coral are as a permanet resident next year. I lived in Fort Myers when I was younger but the crime rate over there scares me. I have been a single mother and could not even get close to qualifying for a loan in the state I am living now - California. I am taking a vaction in the spring of next year. Any places I should avoid in Cape Coral? I already did research on special assessments for sewer and water. Won't need a job because I will be retiring.

[jlawrence01]

I have NO skin in the game regarding Cape Coral as we do not live there and have no intention of moving to Florida. (Our eventual destination will be Southern Texas or middle Tennessee). We were doing some investigative work in Cape Coral a couple of weeks ago.

The home prices in the Cape Coral area are fantastic. There are few places in the US where you can purchase a 1800-2400 square foot home for $60-100k and have a selection that you will in Cape Coral. The homes are reasonably well constructed although obviously, you need a home inspector for ANY home purchase. Many homes in the NW section may or may not be fully completed. Make sure that you know what you are getting into.

Do realize that the NE and NW sections of Cape Coral resemble an inner city area; that is, out of 20 homesites, there may be 5-7 homes. There are homes that are partially constructed and the builder has walked off without completing. There are homes that are REOs - and you can tell because even though they have no real estate sign, there is a key box.

If you are planning to stay for 8-10 years, there is a decent chance of significant price appreciation in that the purchase price is less than the cost of building. If your job will move you in two to three years, DO NOT BUY. You may lose your butt even at the lower prices.

I did not see the usual signs of a high crime area - huge alarm signs, bars over the windows. Some partially completed homes were boarded up. If I bought into the area, I would sign a contract with an alarm company.

Before you make any decisions, YOU need to fly down there and look at the area to see if you feel comfortable. The area will be attractive to some and quite scary to others.

[FormerDogDad]

Hello there in the UK. If you have the money to seriously consider buying a waterfront property with boating access in mind, and you don't seem worried about the insurance rates, I don't think monthly expenses will be your primary concern. Stay away from deed restricted communities if you don't want to get extorted by the homeowner's association. Home Owners Association is American English for Communism Beta Version. I lived in a condo for two years, while doing lawn service for a living, in nothing but deed restricted (communist) communities. I heard the mayor of a local city (Margate) crying to me about the $300 fine his HOA slapped him with because his mailbox was overdue for painting and needed repair. That is extreme and not all places are that outrageous. Having said that, who is the perosn in the previous post screwing for $25.00 a month. In 1998 that gets you a ten minute pass with the riding mower, and you are doing the weedeating yourself. That of course was the going rate 11 years ago for a licensed, insured, tax paying company to come and provide professional LEGAL work. I am not trying to accuse anyone of anything, but for $25.00 I hope they are paying taxes. People that don't pay taxes, insurance, workmans comp insurance, and other legally required things can't afford to work that cheap legally. Unless of course that $25.00 a month is one cut monthly to keep code enforcement from writing you a lot mowing violation and nothing more. Regular lawn service will run you at least $40.00 a month, and more if you have foliage that requires trimming. I am no longer in that line of work as it has been cannibalized by a massive influx of non-tax paying people that drove the market price down to the point where it doesn't pay if you have a valid SSID#, unless you are commercially connected. Also as a reminder, not only are illegal work and illegal worker's, ILLEGAL, but if they get hurt on your property, guess who pays? Still want someone with no ID and a hangover swinging a 25 pound gas hedge trimmer from atop an 8 foot ladder in your back yard? Good luck, but based on your question you don't need it. You did your homework, and you have plenty of money. Here in the good old US of A that is the only thing we care about, because all of ours belongs to China!