Looking for a vacation home in Sarasota/Venice (Bradenton, University: foreclosure, insurance)

[luzzcrew]

We have been to many parts of FL but not to Sarasota... we love the gulf coast and hear that Sarasota is beautiful...I guess we will soon find out. We are heading to Sarasota in few weeks to look for an inexpensive vacation retreat and later on snowbird retreat. We have about twenty more years before we retire but the market is right to purchase not and enjoy when we can. We are not looking for a country club gated community but more for a home with some character and in a safe and well maintained neighborhood. We are looking in the under 100K price range....there is a lot out there but its hard to know if they are in good neighborhoods. Can anyone recommend some of the "not association/gated" communities in our price range? Also, any info on the sarasota taxes...are the taxes based on the purchase price? or do they do assesments? any info on hurricane/ flood insurance...I hear its very high.
Looking for advice....thanks!

[FLBob]

In the under $100k range you might look in South Venice.
Much of South Venice is not in a flood zone, while being very close to gulf beaches.
The bulk of your property tax bill will be based on the value of the house. Property tax and property appraisals are all available online. Property Record Search

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by luzzcrew

We have been to many parts of FL but not to Sarasota... we love the gulf coast and hear that Sarasota is beautiful...I guess we will soon find out. We are heading to Sarasota in few weeks to look for an inexpensive vacation retreat and later on snowbird retreat. We have about twenty more years before we retire but the market is right to purchase not and enjoy when we can. We are not looking for a country club gated community but more for a home with some character and in a safe and well maintained neighborhood. We are looking in the under 100K price range....there is a lot out there but its hard to know if they are in good neighborhoods. Can anyone recommend some of the "not association/gated" communities in our price range? Also, any info on the sarasota taxes...are the taxes based on the purchase price? or do they do assesments? any info on hurricane/ flood insurance...I hear its very high.
Looking for advice....thanks!

Currently there are 213 homes that are under $100K in Sarasota. I'll throw out some areas and let people comment on them.

Newtown Estates off MLK Blvd
Kensington Park off Lockwood Ridge
Hyde Park Terrace off Tuttle and Swift
Ridgewood Estates off McIntosh
Sarasota Springs off McIntosh
Lake Sarasota off Bee Ridge
Desoto Lakes off University
Lockwood Meadows off Lockwood Ridge
Sapphire Heights off University
South Gate off Beneva
Eastwood off Bahia Vista
Brentwood Estates off McIntosh
Deer Hollow off of Cattlemen
Broadway off Honore

Since FLBob commented on the property taxes I'll take the insurance question. Some of the things that insurance companies look for when evaluating your home are: the age of the home, the style of roof (hip roof is best), how the roof is attached, what type of hurricane protection you have, and how close it is to a natural body of water or fire hydrant. There are a few others but those are some of the major ones.

[gypsychic]

Anything under $100,000 in Sarasota is either going to be in a neighborhood you do NOT want, or a foreclosure needing a lot of $$$$. A lot of the neighborhoods on that list above I would not recommend. And even in the good ones, because they are not "gated" and older, many may be near really nice areas but also have very sketchy areas nearby, you will REALLY have to do your research on any individual property. Anything that is really great here that is cheap is gone in one day due to the investors.

I agree with the posters here who feel your best bet is to look south, Venice or North Port. Much better bang for the buck and you will have a better chance of getting what you want. Also, a lot of Sarasota will be in a flood zone. We live in a 2 BR 1950's home just west of the Trail, and our insurance is $1700 through Citizen's plus an additional $1,000 through Allstate for mandatory flood.

Good luck to you!

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Anything under $100,000 in Sarasota is either going to be in a neighborhood you do NOT want, or a foreclosure needing a lot of $$$$. A lot of the neighborhoods on that list above I would not recommend. And even in the good ones, because they are not "gated" and older, many may be near really nice areas but also have very sketchy areas nearby, you will REALLY have to do your research on any individual property. Anything that is really great here that is cheap is gone in one day due to the investors.

I agree with the posters here who feel your best bet is to look south, Venice or North Port. Much better bang for the buck and you will have a better chance of getting what you want. Also, a lot of Sarasota will be in a flood zone. We live in a 2 BR 1950's home just west of the Trail, and our insurance is $1700 through Citizen's plus an additional $1,000 through Allstate for mandatory flood.

Good luck to you!

Yeah, if you wanted to come down to North Port you could get a new or nearly new 3/2/2 in a good neighborhood for under $100K. You'd get the most bang for your buck in NP. South Venice still has many older homes.

[luzzcrew]

Thank you for your feedback!!! : ) I really appreciate it. Can i also ask if there are nice areas on the other side of I-75? Also, how far is I-75 from the beach? We are going to look in Venice too.
Since I have you I need to continue with the questions....do you have any knowledge of mold issues with a wood framed home? or termites? Do you recommend a block house?
Thanks again.... Luzzcrew

[SoFLGal]

I would surely recommend a block home in Florida over a frame home due to the factors you mentioned. North Port runs on both sides of I-75. From Sarasota to North Port there really aren't any communities east of 75 that are in that price range. South Venice or North Port would be your best bets.

[FLBob]

From Venice north to Bradenton, when you go east of I75 you will be around 5 miles or more from the coast/beach.

Mold can be an issue with any construction, anytime you have water you can have mold.

It's my experience that many people will look to avoid wood frame construction, so it's harder to sell a wood framed house.

Termites exist and every house regardless of construction will have a visit or two from termites.
Regular inspections for the presents of termites is part of good home maintenance.

Yes I'd recommend a CBS house.

[luzzcrew]

Hello again,

Does anyone have any comments on Venice Gardens? nice, not so nice?? There seems to be some in our price range in that area.

[SoFLGal]

Venice Gardens is close to the beach and shopping. Most of the homes were built in the 1950's and 60's. I wouldn't choose any homes right on Center Rd because it's one of the main roads and can get busy. There is a really neat little park-Shamrock Park that is in Venice Gardens. Venice Gardens runs right along the south Venice area. I think this would be a good possibility for you.