Buying a house in Florida next week........need advice on where to go. (Sarasota: neighborhoods, good schools)

[Peter the Brit]

Chinese dry wall may affect a house built between 2004 and 2007 but is easily detectable by smell and visual observations

[samjune2009]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

Chinese dry wall may affect a house built between 2004 and 2007 but is easily detectable by smell and visual observations

Associated Press reported as early as 2001 Chinese dry walls were used in houses. 100 000 homes are built by Chinese dry wall. 36 000 of them are in Florida. Florida leads the nation in complaints about Chinese dry wall. Its effects on your health can be fatal. No kidding around with this stuff.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

Chinese dry wall may affect a house built between 2004 and 2007 but is easily detectable by smell and visual observations

If you want to get technical it can really affect any home. If someone has remolded an older home and used drywall that was manufactured in between those years it could also be in that home as well. Many people don't think of that.

[justNancy]

I've lived in Florida for 15 years and every city and neighborhood is different. I recommend you rent for a couple of months before you commit to buying a home. I hope & pray the economy turns around soon, but selling a home won't be easy over the next couple of years, so make your choice wisely.

[beachbum wannabe]

Originally Posted by firsttimeowner

well I was all set to come but I am now concerned about this chinese drywall issue. On the cape coral forum there is a long thread about this issue. With so many of the homes I like being built in the last 7 years esp. 2005-2008 how do I know I wont be getting one with problems. Do you think the great price of newer homes down there has anything to do with people not buying and prices dropping due to this issue. Even if its not a factor effecting price, it certainly is effecting my comfort level with buying a house that it may not be detected in at first and then it turns out to contain this dangerous substance. How can I pretect myself financially and physically?

Please help.

Debbie

When I was shopping for a home there were some really great deals to be had in Northport on brand-new homes, and if I'm not mistaken, there still are some to be had! Just be careful ,like the others have said here,and if you find one you like , have an inspector check it out before purchase,and you should be fine!this is a great area , and really not that far from the coast.

[Peter the Brit]

RENT now BUY later

[imagardener]

The ideal situation would be to rent with an option to buy, with a portion of your rent money as down payment. Those are hard to find because realtors and owners want an upfront sale not one down-the-road.

Have to find an owner that doesn't need their money upfront (to buy another home), an older owner perhaps.
Look in the newspapers.

[Peter the Brit]

Good suggestion I should have said that!
Most realtors do not push rentals or option to purchase as they lose out on their big commissions
I should add I have an active real estate license but only act for buyers.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Peter the Brit

Good suggestion I should have said that!
Most realtors do not push rentals or option to purchase as they lose out on their big commissions
I should add I have an active real estate license but only act for buyers.

I bet you don't take one of those big commissions either, cuz you feel so guilty! - Right!

They spend weeks learning what the buyers wants, needs, and goals are, do research for them, take them around for 3-4 days sometimes on multiple excurions, spend hundreds of dollars on gas, research insurance companies, taxes, schools, inspection firms, surveyors, and just answer 200 - 300 questions, prepare contracts, negotiate, arrange for settlement, assist sometimes finding a lender, etc. . . . Man you should ***** about paying someone for the delivery of those services - as a BIG COMMISSION!

You should quit your job! There is a gold mine in being a real estate agent! And it's so darn easy!

Sorry, I'm not a real estate agent, and I have no hidden agenda! Thank - God! I could never climb that High on the ladder! I also could not climb high enough to become a good car sales man, or a good para-legal / secretary either. I was several steps lower (on the respect ladder), I was a General Contractor! Opps! Now I'm gonna lose everyone's respect! Crap!

[SRQ_Sioux]

I don't think you are going to have to worry about the drywall issue in your price range in Sarasota the newer homes are not in that range. I'm in the 34233 neighborhood and we have great schools elem. and high school, low crime and medium home values. Home next door a foreclosure 2 bed 2 bath with uncaged pool just sold for 120K (as is). An area to explore, been here since 1991.