More St Johns County questions..... (Jacksonville, Plantation: wood floors, homeowners insurance, appliances)

[riveree]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

I am not saying that this is incorrect but I have never heard of communities that forced you to use a particular cable or internet service.

When you build in a new neighborhood, the developer contracts with the cable company to install all the cable lines underground for the community (so every house is wired).

In my neighborhood, Comcast laid the cable. My understanding - and I could be wrong here - is that Comcast then has the monopoly on the cable service for a certain number of years (no idea how many years). This is how they work the deal with the developer.

Of course, you can still get satellite, no underground cable wires used there, but if there was a competitor to Comcast, you could not use that service on Comcast's cable lines.

Of course, in Jacksonville, there really is no true competitor to Comcast, so it's a moot point .

So for me, if I wanted cable, I had to use Comcast. My other choice was satellite (or, no cable tv). But I worked directly with Comcast - my neighborhood is not involved at all (I can't imagine that! ).

[riveree]

Originally Posted by Cleclan

I live in JCP and we love it! It is getting older and there is very little or no new homes available.

Is it really Cleclan? I had looked into building in JCP about 5 or so years ago and there was still a ton of land left on the north side of Racetrack Road left to build - just a huge, huge area. Is all of that developed already?

[tony120]

What are HOA dues at St Johns Golf & CC? I think they include internet. At St Johns Forest, it includes cable and it's over $1600 annually. I believe Cimarrone is around $1200. What is WGV? I know there are different communties there. I remember looking at King & Bear a few years ago, I can't remember the price.

[Cleclan]

Originally Posted by cricketfan

I am not saying that this is incorrect but I have never heard of communities that forced you to use a particular cable or internet service. Irrigation, yes, is commonly included but that is no big deal...you need the sprinklers anyway. But to corner a homeowner with a cable or internet provider seems like something you should double check on. Now, I know that many homes come PRE-WIRED and then it is up to the homeowner to choose which service he or she wants. Alot of people opt for satellite.

But again, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

I am not saying they require you to use a service but they can require you to pay for a service. The HOA fee's can include irrigation or internet service thru Comcast, Lighthouse, etc. If a customer wants to use a different service, then the customer is paying twice for the same service. Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 a service provider can not be denied access to provide service. Irrigation is another example. If irrigation is included then the HOA will chose how often and how much watering will be done. If you have a hot spot in the grass that needs extra water then you'll be dragging a hose. On the flip side, if the HOA is doing excessive watering (wasting water) the home owner can not decrease watering. I just feel personal control of all services is best served by an individual home owner, not a mass group representing everyone else.

[Cleclan]

Originally Posted by riveree

Is it really Cleclan? I had looked into building in JCP about 5 or so years ago and there was still a ton of land left on the north side of Racetrack Road left to build - just a huge, huge area. Is all of that developed already?

This is correct to the best of my knowledge. There is some commercial space remaining (Which is inside the JCP perimeter) but most of the residential space is gone. I think about 2-3 years ago DR Horton bought the remaining land which was part of JCP and it has built out. The Oaks is the last community on the N Side of Racetrack and on the East side of JCP. Sutton Hollow is on the S Side of Racetrack. After this area is Private property on the N Side and Aberdeen/Durbin Crossing on the S Side. There are a few estate lots remaining on Durbin Creek Blvd near Fruit Cove MS and some lots in the Plantation behind the Shell gas station. I am not aware of any other residential land inside JCP.

[Cleclan]

Originally Posted by tony120

What are HOA dues at St Johns Golf & CC? I think they include internet. At St Johns Forest, it includes cable and it's over $1600 annually. I believe Cimarrone is around $1200. What is WGV? I know there are different communities there. I remember looking at King & Bear a few years ago, I can't remember the price.

King and the Bear is not CDD community. I recall the HOA dues to be around $1,100 per year which is very low if you consider it is a manned gated community with a patrolling security guard. If you get an opportunity to get behind the gate again, it is beautiful! The oak trees are maturing, the drive is serene, and the golf course is rated as one of the top residential courses in the U.S. There are plans to turn the King and the Bear golf course to a private course when there are enough full time members. I have heard a range of different #'s of what the exact number is. I believe when you are looking for a home, to look for a Unique attribute in the community. Uniqueness (i.e. waterfront) drives property values. I have always been baffled why the WGV has struggled for so long. There is only 1 Coopers town for football and only 1 Hall of Fame for Golf. In the long term the WGV is a great place to live. Once the shopping centers are in, it will make the entire area more desirable. MuraBella across the street is a CDD community and with all the Dues is about $2,500 year. Sevilla is up the street, is a CDD community, and has irrigation included in the dues. There is also subsidized housing in the community. Subsidized housing is not necessarily a bad thing. It is usually utilized by police, teachers, firefighters, etc. I thought you should know in full disclosure.

[tamcim72]

Ceclan,
Samara Lakes has the subsidized housing, not Sevilla. B/c of the housing market pricing have dropped considerably w/ builder offering smaller house base price low low 200's though.

[lramm5]

how did you make out? I am now relocating and having a hard time deciding on which area. new or resale and cdd fees? any helpful hints since you started? what is the difference between Aberdeen and DURBIN Crossing north or south? I like north better, but douth prices are like 50,000 less, why??

[riveree]

Originally Posted by lramm5

how did you make out? I am now relocating and having a hard time deciding on which area. new or resale and cdd fees? any helpful hints since you started? what is the difference between Aberdeen and DURBIN Crossing north or south? I like north better, but douth prices are like 50,000 less, why??

Aberdeen is having some issues. It's probably not unique to Aberdeen, new home builders have hit a crisis point - Centex pulling out of Nocatee is a big sign of what's to come, IMO.

Anyway, here's some of the Aberdeen info:

Jacksonville.com

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-onlin...21303184.shtml

Be careful when considering the developments that are not yet completed...you might want to consider a resale home in a built-out neighborhood instead.

[Witch Hazel]

If you're used to living in an area convenient to shopping, schools and civilization, you may want to look more closely into an area like Deercreek. It's within minutes of everything, including the hospital. The homes are not brand new, but the neighborhood is far more attractive than any of those mentioned in St. Johns (with the exception of Palencia). It is a secured country club community and seems to be quite family-friendly. The homes in that price range are quite appealing and not on postage stamp lots. St. Johns public schools may have the advantage, but Duval has a wide variety of private schools to choose from. The St. Johns Town Center nearby is a great place to shop and dine, although it doesn't have as many "anchor" department stores as the Avenues. Good luck!