Sinkhole advice (Tampa, Palm Harbor, Dunedin: 2013, insurance, houses)

[samco]

Hello there - looking for homes within about 1/2 hour driving distance to Tampa International Airport. No school age children, just looking for a nice 2,000ft on about 1/4 acre.

So here's my problem - I stumbled upon an interactive sinkhole map of Florida that has me kind of freaking out about the areas now. So... can anyone give me honest advice? Is this is real issue.... if so, are there areas where this does not seem to be prevalent?

We wanted to go inland to avoid flood insurance, and really don't want to struggle through sinkhole insurance and worrying if my dog is going to get sucked into a hole in the backyard.

Thanks in advance!!

[kmarc]

Originally Posted by samco

Hello there - looking for homes within about 1/2 hour driving distance to Tampa International Airport. No school age children, just looking for a nice 2,000ft on about 1/4 acre.

So here's my problem - I stumbled upon an interactive sinkhole map of Florida that has me kind of freaking out about the areas now. So... can anyone give me honest advice? Is this is real issue.... if so, are there areas where this does not seem to be prevalent?

We wanted to go inland to avoid flood insurance, and really don't want to struggle through sinkhole insurance and worrying if my dog is going to get sucked into a hole in the backyard.

Thanks in advance!!

I can tell you right off to avoid the Seffner/Plant City area. One rule of thumb is to avoid areas near heavy agriculture. Reason being, the agricultural organizations have a tendency to pump out the aquifer to water their crops, especially during the colder weather to keep the crops from freezing.

IMO, this guy was killed because of the arrogance and selfishness of growers in Eastern Hillsborough County. Glad they had a great strawberry crop. They don't give a rat's patootie about their neighbors.

A loud crash, then nothing: Sinkhole swallows Florida man - CNN.com

[HWTechGuy]

There are also "real" sinkholes and houses where sinkhole claims were filed (and paid) over very minor things. There are plenty of existing threads here where you can educate yourself about it all.

[kmarc]

I think Carrollwood might be very nice for you. As far as I know, not a big sinkhole area. Also Lutz and Odessa (Hillsborough County side).

[Moreteavicar?]

..why worry about the dog, it may be YOU down the sinkhole with the dog looking down and wagging his tail....?

[EngGirl]

Originally Posted by HWTechGuy

There are also "real" sinkholes and houses where sinkhole claims were filed (and paid) over very minor things. There are plenty of existing threads here where you can educate yourself about it all.

To confirm the sinkhole at the early stage cost a lot of money, so basic factors still counts as sinkhole activities.
There are a lot of it in Pasco County.

[gulfporter]

We were told by several people that in Pinellas County, the sinkholes are predominantly in the northern one-third of Pinellas (i.e., Dunedin, Palm Harbor). Not an issue in southern part of Pinellas (St. Pete, Gulfport).