Retired couple looking in North Port, FL (Sarasota, Bradenton: for sale, real estate)

[florbound11]

My husband and I retired a year ago and are thinking of looking in North Port. We are not looking for a retirement village. We want to be with a variety of people. We see there is a lot of new construction there.
we have about $250,000 to spend. Is North Port a nice area close to restaurants and shopping? We want our own pool & possibly a 3rd garage. Also, low HOA fees if any.

[Nancy in Nokomis]

I think you can find something under 250k for sure with a pool and without an HOA at all which would be great.
Just remember insurance is high down here - you have to buy both homeowners and wind insurance and if you are in a certain type of flood zone - flood insurance.

North Port is a very nice area and has plenty of restaurants and shopping -

[nphomeowner]

Most of north port is NOt in a flood zone which is a huge plus. We have been here a little over 3 years and really like north port. A nice mix of age groups, shopping close by and restaurants. If you want to go to Sarasota it's a short drive up 75. I really like the location, pretty much close enough to everything and beaches are just 25 minutes away.

[mr&mrssunshine]

I would say build a new home.......but I am slightly biased as a homebuilder :-)

[d4g4m]

If you are looking to spend $250,000 not in a planned community, buy a lot and build what you want. $250,000 will build you the biggest house, with a pool, in the area. Only planned communities have HOA and some with CCD fees. All lots, not in planned community are 80'x125' It may or may not have county water/sewer.

[Florida or Bust....]

FWIW - to build new, I would suggest build at least 2000 sqft or more of concrete block construction (CBC); have plenty of closet space (since you will not be able to store items in attic or basement), have an oversized garage that is approx 20x30, that will fit SUV's or large vehicles comfortably. The 3rd garage usually is for a golf cart if that is what you were planning to use that for. And a pool that is large enough to swim a decent lap with a possible hot tub (obviously if this is your preference) and enough space on the lanai to sit comfortably. Messing About's new awesome pool seems to have a big enough pool with a nice enclosed outdoor space.

Have gutters around the whole house that are large enough to handle the deluge downpours at times. Have a good whole house water disinfection system with R/O at kitchen sink. A whole house surge protector at service panel. These are some of the items that I noticed would make life easier.

Or you can find a house that fits most of your desires and needs. Good Luck!

[TamRE]

There are a lot of options for you in North Port in the $250k price range. You can buy in a deed restricted community with a homeowner association or you can buy in a non-deed restricted area. New construction has been picking up in the area. You could also choose the new build route. North Port is a large, growing city. There are vacant lots on almost every street in the non-deed restricted areas. Just depends what type of lifestyle you are looking for. Most of the lots in North Port are on well and septic and are 80x125. You can purchase a double lot too. Most of North Port is in the X500 Flood Zone, which does not require flood insurance if you are obtaining a mortgage.

North Port does have shopping, restaurants, library, churches, schools, Sarasota Memorial emergency room, medical facilities, chamber of commerce, city hall, activity center, performing arts center, and much more. There is a fairly new strip mall with a lot of shops. There is a Home Depot, Lowes, Walmart, and Walgreens.

Here are some links to read more about the City of North Port.
City of North Port - City of North Port, FL : Home
North Port Chamber of Commerce - http://www.northportareachamber.com/

For a list of some of the local builders and information on new construction, you can go to the Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association web page at: Charlotte Desoto Building Industry Association - CDBIA

[Sunshine Rules]

Have you visited our area before? There are a lot of options for spending $250k or less for a new construction home -- Parrish & Ellenton NE of Bradenton, south Manatee county near University Parkway, Nokomis - Laurel area, eastern Venice (several nice neighborhoods going in there), North Port/ Englewood. Venice is going to give you more in the way of shopping, restaurants, etc than North Port, but North Port is growing.

You can search the public version of our MLS at Florida Homes for Sale direct from MLS for listings in any of the areas I mentioned above.

[dpbarr2000]

Keep in mind in most parts of North Port there is no public water or sewer, and sometimes broadband internet service can be an issue. Other posters have mentioned Venice or Englewood and I would agree those are as good if not better choices than North Port, if for no other reason it can be argued that North Port still has not recovered fully from the real estate downturn.

[sware2cod]

Originally Posted by dpbarr2000

Keep in mind in most parts of North Port there is no public water or sewer, and sometimes broadband internet service can be an issue. Other posters have mentioned Venice or Englewood and I would agree those are as good if not better choices than North Port, if for no other reason it can be argued that North Port still has not recovered fully from the real estate downturn.

The last sentence would be a reason to choose North Port because property values might not have risen as much as the other areas YET. Buy before they make that big move upwards.

North Port has a younger population than Venice and Englewood. OP mentioned wanting mixture of people. I think NP has a much better mix of age groups versus Venice/Englewood - which at times can seem like a 55+ area as a whole (sometimes 70+ area during winter season). OP specifically doesn't want to be in a retirement village. North Port is a very good choice to meet this criteria. Plus shopping and restaurants is good in North Port and close proximity to other shopping/restaurants in other nearby towns