Recommendations for condos? (Port Charlotte, Lakeside, Westchester: foreclosures, for rent, HOA fees)

[City__Datarer]

Does anyone have recommendations for condo complexes in the area in the lower price ranges? (Ones where you or someone you know has bought and is happy, unhappy...?)

My main criteria are low crime, decently maintained (enforcement of reasonable rules that keep a positive atmosphere/environment without going overboard), not having financial/legal difficulties that would result in large or constant assessments, and preferably not wood frame or in a flood zone.

Are there any 55+ condos that would be good on these criteria? What about the condos in Deep Creek, anyone have knowledge of the different complexes there?

Thanks!

[TamRE]

What do you consider lower price range? Here are some condo developments under $100k in the area.

Colony at Sabal Trace, Cocoplum, Fairway Villas, Westchester Woods, Lakes Edge Loveland, Oaks III, Oaks IV, Oak Forrest, Loveland Courtyards, Orangewood, Heritage Oak Park, Lakes Edge at Deep Creek, Deep Creek Gardens, Pines at Deep Creek, Sandhill Pines, Links Edge, Tala Lakes, Deep Creek Townhomes, Porches at Deep Creek, Towns at Lakeside, Kings Island.

Are you looking to be in a certain area - Deep Creek, Port Charlotte, North Port, Punta Gorda? Are you looking for certain amenities - pool, fitness, tennis? Are you looking to be in a gated community? What are the highest HOA fees you want to pay per month?

Cocoplum in North Port and Oak Forrest in Port Charlotte are a couple of nice 55+ communities.

Cocoplum - Located on Cocoplum Waterway in North Port. Monthly HOA fee, water/sewer, trash removal, ground maintenance, roof, building exteriior, covered parking and guest parking, community pool. There is a community park within walking distance. It is close to Cocoplum Shopping Center and Sumter Blvd, restaurants, banks, churches, etc.

Oak Forrest - Oak Forrest Condominium - Home Page - Forrest Nelson Blvd, Port Charlotte - 55+ Gated community, no pets, pool, shuffleboard, club house, deed restricted, monthly hoa fee, water/sewer, trash removal, building insurance, building exterior, escrow reserve, ground maintenance, manager, private road. It is located on 23 ares amont oak trees. There are 17 buildings. Each building has 16 uniuts, totaling 272 units. The community has easy access to major highways. You can walk to banks, restaurants, shopping centers and the county library.

Condo Information
In condo developments the unit is owned by the individual but the common areas are jointly owned and managed by a homeowner association. There are both residential and seasonal condo areas. Some you are not allowed to rent out or only allowed to rent for a minimum period or to a minimum number of tenants per year.

Decide how you are going to use the property. Is it for year round residential living, a second home, a seasonal home, a long term rental, a seasonal rental, monthly rental, etc.

You need to get a copy of the condo docs and read them thoroughly before submitting an offer. Also, it is suggested to get a copy of the financial documents so that you know where the homeowner association stands. Find out if there are other fees on top of the HOA fee such as CDD fees or special assessments. Some communities include trash removal, cable, maintenance, water/sewer and others do not.

Other common questions you need to ask.

1. What are your ownership and voting rights?
2. Does the condo association have reserved funds?
3. Is the condo association involved in any form of litigation?
4. What restrictions are there for renting and selling?
5. Are there any restrictions for family members using or staying in the unit?
6. Are there plans for future expansion which might raise your HOA fees?
7. Is there a history of resident complaints?
8. Are there any other restrictions, such as pets?

[mr&mrssunshine]

2 friends have condos in Deep Creek (for vacation purposes) and they enjoy them and the facilities. they got them really cheap , althiugh one I had to remodel for the guy as it was old and tired.

i would definitely say its worth a look

[City__Datarer]

Thanks very much for the info!

I'm in transition somewhat right now, which means I'm looking at a range of possibilities, so sorry not to be more specific re price range.

I have a realtor who's e-mailing me listings, and some of the places seem like everything I'd need at a low price (especially when I watch HGTV and see what prices are around the country, I feel I'm in the right place at the right time to buy a home).

But I just don't want to get into a situation where the initial price is low but there are hidden costs because owners wind up paying special assessments and/or high fees due to foreclosures or management problems, or have to worry about high crime and other quality-of-life issues, or where owners are unable to sell, if they need to, because the complex isn't solvent or has other problems.

Don't mean to focus on the negatives--I know many people are happy with their condo purchases and never run into these problems. Just trying to sort out the possible good deals from places that are low priced for a reason. (Really, in some ways I'm more temperamentally suited to owning a house, and I'm looking into that as well, but the right condo would be more realistic and practical for me.)

Thanks for the great replies so far, and I'd be very interested in hearing if more people have any info to share!

[vegasboy]

I am one of those two friends of mr&mrssunshine who bought at Deep Creek Gardens, and I can assure you it was one of the best investments in the low price range I have ever made.

The complex is extremely well maintained and their finances healthy. If you are looking at 'low price', you cannot beat Deep Creek Gardens.

I have to add that mr&mrs sunshine excelled in every way with the renovations they did for my friend who also bought a condo there. At the time we did the renovations we didn't know mr&mrssunshine, (he was introduced to me through another great person here on C-D, BigHouse) and the fact that we became friends after the renovations speaks for itself.

[City__Datarer]

Thanks for the info, Vegasboy! I actually drove around all of Charlotte county a few days ago, including Punta Gorda, and remember driving by that condo complex, so I'm glad to have this additional info about it.

I really do like Charlotte county--may wind up there!