Is Tampa in a hault in terms of growth? (Miami: short sales, HOA fees)

[coolieandre]

I usually here people talk highly of Tampa compared to other Florida cities, and being the 3rd largest city in the SE USA after Miami and Atlanta, I assumed Tampa is a medium sized city with a bright future, and growing. Recently though, I had 2 people in my class who coinsidently moved to Atlanta from Tampa, becausre they commented that the city is at a hault. They commented that not much is being built, and there aren't too many jobs. Is this true of the Tampa area?

[TampaKaren]

JMHO, when the housing market turned from a seller's market to a buyer's market, most builders stopped building on spec and started trying to sell off inventory. Mostly now, they're building from buyer contracts.

We could definitely use more (and better paying) jobs to help re-vitalize the economy.

[Negotiator75]

Originally Posted by TampaKaren

JMHO, when the housing market turned from a seller's market to a buyer's market, most builders stopped building on spec and started trying to sell off inventory. Mostly now, they're building from buyer contracts.

We could definitely use more (and better paying) jobs to help re-vitalize the economy.

TampaKaren, what would you recommend for nice areas to buy a 4/2/2 with 2000 sq ft for about $250,000? I have 3 kids ages 3,5,7 and would like to be near good schools too.

[TampaKaren]

Originally Posted by Negotiator75

TampaKaren, what would you recommend for nice areas to buy a 4/2/2 with 2000 sq ft for about $250,000? I have 3 kids ages 3,5,7 and would like to be near good schools too.

Knowing what I know, I would probably look for a home built between 2000-2004 in the south portion of Hillsborough County in either the Lithia or Riverview areas. I pick this age of home to hopefully avoid dealing with short sales and inexperienced lenders. Also, (most of) these homes will be on decent sized lots where you can't reach out and touch your neighbor's house. Many of the newer homes are on lots 35-45 foot wide. This age of home should have lower hazard insurance premiums and will also be built to higher wind standards. I would definitely want information about the build quality...I've seen a lot of homes built in 2006 and later that have single pane windows installed (why is that?!?).

For the children, I would prefer a master planned community with lots of amenities, e.g., pool, soccer, basketball, clubhouse, tot lots, etc. all the while keeping in mind the cost associated with those things (CDD fees, HOA fees...) Most of our elementary schools were rated well this past school year. It's the middle and high schools that have lower ratings mostly. Here's a link to the Hillsborough County School District --> Hillsborough County Public Schools-Tampa Florida, and to the Florida Department of Education --> FLDOE Home, and to a complete comprehensive guide including school test scores and school grades at America's Education Guide.

This same scenario would apply to South Pasco County communities in the Wesley Chapel and Land O Lakes areas which I like as well. School information for Pasco County School District ---> Welcome To Pasco County Schools. The previous two links have Pasco School data as well.

The professional side of me recommends that you live convenient to your work so you don't have such a long commute...Hillsborough County is ~1000 square miles and the family needs you. Knowing this, maybe you have some things to ponder over. Of course, there's no replacement for checking everything out before you make a decision on where you want to live.

Hope this helps!

[mquintana]

I agree, Riverview & Lithia is a very good area. I am trying to convince my fiance to purchase a home in Riverview...

[mammaluna]

Have you considered Lutz(33558)? There are many wonderful family neighborhoods with excellent schools. Try greatschools.net for school ratings.

[kelly3120]

lutz is awesome! 33558 and 33549
older homes but many in good shape. Schools are all A schools.
Tampa has slowed down in the building market but things go in waves and eventually things will start moving again.

[Spree]

>> TampaKaren, what would you recommend for nice areas to buy a 4/2/2 with 2000 sq ft for about $250,000? I have 3 kids ages 3,5,7 and would like to be near good schools too.<<

I'm not Karen, but I use to live in the Valrico area and just loved it, and it's what I know - there are many nice areas around Tampa. Valrico has good schools and lots of families. Many military choose to live there as well. The communities of Twin Lakes, River Hills and Bloomingdale come to mind. River Hills is a golf course community, it's gated and tons of kids. The association fees might be a bit higher, but you would be able to find a house in your price range. I use to live in Twin Lakes, it's right across the street from River Hills. The association fees would be less and there's reclaimed water for yard watering (lower water bills). Lots of kids and a really pretty setting because of the lake. Bloomingdale is a bit older, but very family friendly. There are two A rated elementary schools that are in the housing area, lots of kids walk or ride their bikes. Buckhorn is also a nice area.

Fishhawk in Lithia is another nice community with good schools - there's two A rated elementaries as well that kids can walk or bike too. It's a little further of a drive to places, but it is also growing - which could be good, or bad. There will be CDD fees involved w/Fishhawk, you'll want to check and see what the costs are. I don't know much about Riverview and it's schools, but Riverview finishes out your choices of nice areas and schools for the south east area of Tampa.

[TampaKaren]

Very true to previous posts. I merely answered with what I would personally do were I in his situation. At this time, there are ~500 single family homes on the retail market in Hillsborough County that match Negotiator's criteria. Add in Pinellas and Pasco, and that number goes up to 900. It's overwhelming. Part of that reason is due to over-building from 2004-2006, which goes back to the OP's question about halted growth.

Additionally, I've lived in the Carrollwood area for over 20 years, so I think it has some really nice neighborhoods as well.

[mikewu9900]

as far as the original post, i think Tampa is still growing, but im sure the slow economy has slowed growth a bit.

i read many posts of people moving here, as i read the same thing 1 1/2 years ago on here. I'd say that 6 out of 10 people i meet here are from somewhere else.