Where should I buy a house around MacDill? (Tampa, Brandon: low income, for sale)

[spikeanddanny]

My wife and I are retired military and we have kept some of our homes (throughout the country) that we purchased during our active duty years. We subsequently rented them out and the results have been positive. We would like to replicate this model in the vicinity of MacDill AFB. Our "template" is :

-2-3000' sq ft
-4-5 bedroom
-construction after the year 2000
-solid floor plans
-nice neighborhoods with yards
-upgrades
-very good schools

We obviously will rent to anyone, however, the neighborhoods that meet the criteria above have produced quality renters from the enlisted/officer/GS ranks.

Any suggestions on where we should begin/focus our search ? Bottom Line - Where are people from the Base (with the above criteria in mind) gravitating ?

Thanks,
Colorado Hi !

[DUNNDFRNT]

You have a couple of areas to zero in, depends on how much you want to rent the house for. The immediate area around the base is pretty rough, a lot of low income apartments, not so great area with the exception of Ballast Point which would be a good area to start with. The rest of South Tampa due to a reduced inventory and higher prices I dont see the numbers adding up for you. Another area popular with the military is Fishhawk Ranch again pricier, and lower priced area would be Brandon again very popular with military and has more inventory. You would have to go on great schools or the hillsborough county schools site and get the schools ratings and cross reference brandon, there are some areas better than others and the price would reflect that, but there are still a lot of short sales and foreclosures in that area.

[gulfer]

Also recommend Militaryforsalebyowner.com as a site to compare. The homes are For Sale or For Rent. Many seem to be over in the Riverview or Apollo Beach area.

[Sunscape]

Thanks for your service!!

You could contact one of the RE agents who participate in this forum and see what they could offer you. All of them know the areas you could buy something.

[spikeanddanny]

Thank You !

[spikeanddanny]

Originally Posted by DUNNDFRNT

You have a couple of areas to zero in, depends on how much you want to rent the house for. The immediate area around the base is pretty rough, a lot of low income apartments, not so great area with the exception of Ballast Point which would be a good area to start with. The rest of South Tampa due to a reduced inventory and higher prices I dont see the numbers adding up for you. Another area popular with the military is Fishhawk Ranch again pricier, and lower priced area would be Brandon again very popular with military and has more inventory. You would have to go on great schools or the hillsborough county schools site and get the schools ratings and cross reference brandon, there are some areas better than others and the price would reflect that, but there are still a lot of short sales and foreclosures in that area.

Thank You for the detailed reply.

[spikeanddanny]

Thanks Annie,

Any other suggestions are welcome.

[unicorn1209]

Beach Park in South Tampa is nice, also.

[grammyR]

I lived in south Tampa MacDill area for a number or years. Real Estate may be listed much lower than any time in the past. The Howard Avenue-Hyde Park area ( can be yuppyish) is very desirable and walking distance to Bayshore Bld and close to Tampa General Hospital, Davis Island- 15 min drive to base. Ballast Point is very nice and quieter. Brandon are cheaper but not so close to things in my mind and only one hospital which is not very good. Palma Ceia in south Tampa has very good high school ( Plant High ) but may be pricier. I reired and went across the bay to Safety Harbor ( the best) but about a 40 min drive to MacDill (on a good day) Good luck.