Plantation vs Pembroke Pines (Fort Lauderdale, Weston: short sales, foreclosure, rentals)

[formerfire]

I know I am probably driving you all crazy by now, but I am starting to narrow things down.

Comparing Pembroke Pines & Plantation (& Ft Lauderdale to keep hubby happy) what are the major factors we should be aware of in comparing them both.

We will look to rent a house for a few years, 3 kids elementary/middle, still open to public and Christian schools - not expensive private schools.

After a good family environment, lots of things to do and see, not isolated, easy commute to Ft Lauderdale, community feel - even if busy people happy to chat. Appreciate diversity. Doable with one car.

What are the best areas within PP and Plantation that you would recommend us to check out first.

Thanks again

[fauve]

My votes:

In Pembroke Pines:

Grand Palms Country Club (not snooty in the least and very pretty - I lived here for 5 years) - they have neighborhoods in all price ranges with both rentals & sales. I also liked it because it was closest to 75 for commuting and right by all the shops. Also has a golf course, tennis, a hotel & a very good fitness center/spa

In Plantation:

Upper end - Hawk's Landing @ Broward & Nob Hill....maybe a touch snooty, but in a good way. Club house where you can take yoga lessons, hold parties, community pool, etc.


Middle: Jacaranda Country Club (has a golf course, tennis, fitness center). This is where I live. It is also at Broward & Nob Hill. Favorite thing is the architecture. The builder was from California and the houses are all unique from one another and have kind of a cool California vibe. Also has mature trees and sidewalks where you meet everyone walking their dogs. VERY friendly. Most all houses are waterfront or have golf course views.

Both neighborhoods in Plantation also near all the stores. Closer to downtown Fort Lauderdale for a far easier commute than Pines.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by formerfire

I know I am probably driving you all crazy by now, but I am starting to narrow things down.

Comparing Pembroke Pines & Plantation (& Ft Lauderdale to keep hubby happy) what are the major factors we should be aware of in comparing them both.

We will look to rent a house for a few years, 3 kids elementary/middle, still open to public and Christian schools - not expensive private schools.

After a good family environment, lots of things to do and see, not isolated, easy commute to Ft Lauderdale, community feel - even if busy people happy to chat. Appreciate diversity. Doable with one car.

What are the best areas within PP and Plantation that you would recommend us to check out first.

Thanks again

If you plan on one car and hubby is working in Fort Lauderdale neither place will be easy to live. South Florida is a very difficult place for a family with only one car, and one parent commuting to work.

Edited to add-both PP and Plantation have neighborhoods in all price ranges. What are you looking to spend for rent?

[vr2]

Ditto on your budget. What sort of price range are you looking at?

For instance, Hawks Landing is nice, but most houses are well over $1 - $2 million.

[fauve]

Originally Posted by vr2

Ditto on your budget. What sort of price range are you looking at?

For instance, Hawks Landing is nice, but most houses are well over $1 - $2 million.

Wow. Prices must be picking up again. I saw one listed for $599K about 3 months ago and a few rentals in the $2800 range.

[rkumar3]

Originally Posted by fauve

Wow. Prices must be picking up again. I saw one listed for $599K about 3 months ago and a few rentals in the $2800 range.

They start above 700K and rentals typically start above $4,000/mth

[fauve]

Originally Posted by rkumar3

They start above 700K and rentals typically start above $4,000/mth

Yeah, $700K is about what Id expect for a non-foreclosure/non-short sale. Still, it is a good sign that prices aren't dropping to match those foreclosure sales. Rentals are exploding though. I definitely saw a few in there in the high $2K range a few months ago.

[Momma_bear]

Originally Posted by fauve

Wow. Prices must be picking up again. I saw one listed for $599K about 3 months ago and a few rentals in the $2800 range.

Some RE agents are listing homes that are short sales for very low prices to spark bidding wars. They are collecting offers and presenting the best offers to the banks.

I think the least expensive homes I saw close in Hawks Landing closed in the $700's. IMO Hawks Landing is the most overated development in Plantation.

[fauve]

Originally Posted by Momma_bear

Some RE agents are listing homes that are short sales for very low prices to spark bidding wars. They are collecting offers and presenting the best offers to the banks.

I think the least expensive homes I saw close in Hawks Landing closed in the $700's. IMO Hawks Landing is the most overated development in Plantation.

That's actually how I got my house. There was a bidding war (7 bids in 48 hours). I still paid list price which was a good $100K below any other comparable house in here. I got the house becoz I paid cash, however I was the only cash offer and before mine, they were planning on giving it to someone with financing. It is possible to find them and pay a reasonable price if you keep an eye out.

Hawks Landing is prettier than the other developments. I like it for all the same reasons I like Grand Palms and Weston Hills Country Club. I'm very aesthetically motivated,

[StilltheSame]

I would look at Plantation Acres, also in East Fort Lauderdale the Coral Ridge area (across from Galleria) - the public school there is excellent (Bayshore) and you would have to do private for middle but there are a ton of options that are well priced in Christian schools.