What's up with CDDs? (Tampa, Dunedin: real estate, HOA fees, homes)

[FIU2000]

I figured I should probably study up on this while I "wait." I have a basic understanding of how they operate and that homeowners within one are assessed and pay fees annually, quarterly, or monthly in addition to HOA dues if applicable (ouch!). New Tampa seems to have a lot of neighborhoods that fall under this, not sure about Carrollwood? Are they usually reasonable? I've heard the horror stories, but is there also another side to this? I would never want to live in a golf course community but I might one day like to be in a gated community with just a few amenities like maybe just a pool, playground, and a walking trail. No spas or country clubs needed for this simple girl. Realtors and homeowners, where do you all stand? Thanks!

[1nicecouple]

Well,CDD's mean that not only do you pay high property tax for everyone's Education, roads, street lights and other infrastructure, but you also pay a "Seperate fee" to build and Maintain your neighborhoods' Infratructure, Roads, sewerage, lights, etc...If it sounds like a rip-off you are exactly right.Our electric bill for our streetlights alone was @ $160,000. a month.Think about it long and hard!

[SkyeAnjel]

I am in Spring,Texas,north of houston and never heard of cdd fee's until I got on this board. Here, you can be in a golf course community, have a community pool, tennis courts etc and that is all in your HOA fees. Those fees there sound like "because I can " fees, meaning they charge you because they can . I for one will never move into a community that charges those fees, I am understanding that there are many beautiful older neighborhoods that do not have cdd fees. I believe there are a few newer neighbordoofs that do not have cdd fees there also.

[FIU2000]

Apparently the Tampa area has the highest rate of CDDs in Florida second to Lee County which is where I live, but I don't live in one and my neighborhood isn't gated or anything. Does anyone live in a community in Tampa that is gated and has an HOA but no CDD? Does such a thing exist? That way I can add them to my "research" for when I'm ready to look.

SkyeAngel, Texas is great but unfortunately my latin guilt makes me unable to move far from my parents (who are here in Florida)

[Spree]

>>I would never want to live in a golf course community but I might one day like to be in a gated community with just a few amenities like maybe just a pool, playground, and a walking trail.<<

Twin Lakes off Bloomingdale in Tampa would be good. They have a guard on duty at night, have a beautiful lake, a shaded playground and a pool. River Hills (gated golf course community) is right across the street and often people from Twin Lakes walk over there as well, most of their sidewalks are shaded. There's an almost 1 mile loop around the lake in Twin Lakes. No CDD and a reasonable HOA.

[FIU2000]

Thanks for the tip Spree!

[Mike Peterson]

CDD's have not been around all that long so many of the older gated communities will not have them.

As a quick explanation to those that do not know. A CDD is a fee you pay monthly or yearly to pay off the developers bond. The length can in some communities be up to 30 years or more.

A CDD is different from a HOA fee. It is basically just another tax.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by 1nicecouple

Well,CDD's mean that not only do you pay high property tax for everyone's Education, roads, street lights and other infrastructure, but you also pay a "Seperate fee" to build and Maintain your neighborhoods' Infratructure, Roads, sewerage, lights, etc...If it sounds like a rip-off you are exactly right.Our electric bill for our streetlights alone was @ $160,000. a month.Think about it long and hard!

Are you serious???? How many street lights does your area have?

[Camisis]

Moss Landing (KBHomes) in Riverview (suburb of Tampa) has low HOA fees ($65 a month) and no CDD fees. It's a gated community but does not have a pool.

[SkyeAnjel]

FIU2000- Texas is great, espescially where am! If your going to move to the Houston area, this is the place to be..but it's not Florida! I love Florida, may not like cdd's but everywhere has its downfalls..and people who can't wait to tell you how bad it is..we have those on the houston boards also.I don't know if I will ever truly live there as I am a real estate agent and home there aren't selling blah.blah.blah. but if I ever get the chance, I will be there.
I htink I would like the Dunedin area,,,dreaming again...