Moving To Pasco County!!! (Need Info) (Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel: short sales, rent, insurance)

[steved10]

Hi everyone,
I'm looking to relocate to the Pasco County area. I am hoping that you could all share some info on where to look in Pasco. Anywhere you recommend, or would advise to stay away from? Flood insurance, taxes, bad areas etc?

Any info is greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks so much,
Steve

[TampaKaren]

Steve, you need to give us more info about your housing needs, e.g., rent or buy, number of bedrooms and your price range/budget.

[steved10]

Hi Karen,
I'm looking to purchase a 5 bedroom house. I would like a pool, and privacy would be ideal. I would like to keep the price under 300k.
Thanks!!!

[TampaKaren]

Steve, I'm happy to report your $300K will go a long way. Prices have tumbled and there's lots of inventory. The challenge will be finding a true 5-bedroom house; there are very few. ATM, there are 119 but over half are short sales and another quarter are bank-owned. Home owner's insurance will be lower on a home built after 2002. Please plan on getting a thorough home inspection for any home built during the boom years in 2005-2006. Many were built too quickly and thus have defects. Many insurers won't underwrite a policy in Pasco without sinkhole coverage. The premiums are not too bad in some areas. Generally speaking, the areas most prone to sinkholes are from central to west. Flood insurance depends on the property elevation, but if you're in the west part of the county nearer the Gulf of Mexico and/or the property is bordered on the water, flood insurance will be required. This said, that leaves the area in the central to east part of the county which is better. There are newer communities in Wesley Chapel/Zephyrhills and there are several being built from which to choose.

[steved10]

Hi Rebecca,
I have no specific area in Pasco that I need to be near.
I don't know enough about East or West Pasco to narrow it down for you. Is homeowners ins. or taxes greater in West?
Feel free to ask anything else, I really appreciate all the help!
Thanks!!!

[sueinge]

Hi Steve,
I live in Ivy Lake Estates which is in Odessa. We live very close to the Suncoast Parkway (Veterans expressway) so we have access to lots of things close by. We love this part of town. It is quiet and country-like in some ways, but also everything you need is close. Let me know if I can help you answer any questions.

[bentlebee]

Wesley Chapel has mostly "no flood zones" so that will save money. Also Pasco has lower property taxes which is good and lots of shopping has come to Wesley Chapel, incl the new mall and things are cleared for the new mall to be build but due to the economy that can take longer but it has been planned.

[CharlotteP]

Steve, We are strongly considering a purchase in Pasco county. Last week I called over 9 insurance companies to get an idea of what premiums would be for the home. I was told that they either dont write policies for Pasco, or that they can ONLY offer Citizen's Ins. which is the "company of last resort" for homeowners who cant get insurance anywhere else. Citizen's was established by the government and is now insuring many people in Florida after so many insurance companies have left the state or cancelled customer's policies. The quotes I received on a 300k home ranged from 1600-2600. This doesnt include sinkhole coverage-which may or may not be required by your mortgage co (I have no idea if this is "optional".) Adding this coverage brings premiums up to $4000+ per year! Pasco taxes may be lower, but the savings may be offset by the ridiculous ins. premiums and no option to "shop elsewhere" Just wanted you to be aware of this-it was an unpleasant surprise to me. Good luck.

[amadoblanco]

Steve, for homeowner ins. you can check "Farm Bureau".