Retiring in a couple of years (Tampa, Brandon: HOA fees, home owners insurance, new)

[gmfitter]

Just saw some homes in Apollo Beach in my price range. Any yay's or nay's??

[bobandsherry]

Not sure what your price range is, but you may want to look at taxes. Be sure you check what the taxes are as a new homeowner as many may have taxes that are limited for current homeowners with exemption. Once a home is sold the capped value will reset (see this for info).

Also check if home is in flood zone (many are) and then what the cost would be. Similarly, check what home owner insurance will cost. If home is older home (more than 10 years old) it probably does not have hurricane mitigation and cost will be very high.

Lastly, check for HOA fees. Not sure of community you are considering but I'm aware of one community along the water which has some major expenses to be incurred to replace the seawall.

We had looked in the area, taxes would have gone up nearly double from what the current owner was paying. The home owners insurance would have been three times what we are paying in our home in another community. And HOA fees would have been most likely subject to increase and a special assessment.

Additionally, if it's an older home (more than 5-10 years), check what the utilities are running. Home we purchased (which is new and has lots of energy efficiency built in) would have cost us about twice as much as the home we were looking at in AB.

Lastly, if schools are important, be sure to do your homework on the schools that serve your area.

Don't just look at the cost of the home, look at the overall cost of owning the home. Happy house hunting.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by gmfitter

Just saw some homes in Apollo Beach in my price range. Any yay's or nay's??

Younger retiree here.
I live in the area (about 10 miles east of AB) and can't say that it's the best choice. Very likely it's in a flood zone (be careful there). Higher home insurance.

There's not much right there, but 20-30 mins by interstate you'll be in Tampa, Brandon. Not the most attractive places to live, IMO, although there are a couple of nice communities (MIRA BAY) but some have have CDD or higher HOAs. There is a lot of development in Riverview and AB.....economy is starting to recover. We have a few people who post here form the area who I'm sure will chime in.

[dothetwist]

There's a huge power generating plant (TECO) there. Ugly and polluting!!

[bobandsherry]

Just curious if area you are looking at is Waterset in Apollo Beach. If so, you might want to go about 5 miles east toward Waterleaf. Several people have moved from or looked at Waterset and then looked at Waterleaf. Waterleaf is smaller community (still being developed but will be about 500 homes) and gated. Prices from mid-200's up to 600.

[mortpes]

Elevation 2 feet. Misthinking?

[gmfitter]

Originally Posted by bobandsherry

Not sure what your price range is, but you may want to look at taxes. Be sure you check what the taxes are as a new homeowner as many may have taxes that are limited for current homeowners with exemption. Once a home is sold the capped value will reset (see this for info).

Also check if home is in flood zone (many are) and then what the cost would be. Similarly, check what home owner insurance will cost. If home is older home (more than 10 years old) it probably does not have hurricane mitigation and cost will be very high.

Lastly, check for HOA fees. Not sure of community you are considering but I'm aware of one community along the water which has some major expenses to be incurred to replace the seawall.

We had looked in the area, taxes would have gone up nearly double from what the current owner was paying. The home owners insurance would have been three times what we are paying in our home in another community. And HOA fees would have been most likely subject to increase and a special assessment.

Additionally, if it's an older home (more than 5-10 years), check what the utilities are running. Home we purchased (which is new and has lots of energy efficiency built in) would have cost us about twice as much as the home we were looking at in AB.

Lastly, if schools are important, be sure to do your homework on the schools that serve your area.

Don't just look at the cost of the home, look at the overall cost of owning the home. Happy house hunting.

Thank you for your input.

[gmfitter]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Younger retiree here.
I live in the area (about 10 miles east of AB) and can't say that it's the best choice. Very likely it's in a flood zone (be careful there). Higher home insurance.

There's not much right there, but 20-30 mins by interstate you'll be in Tampa, Brandon. Not the most attractive places to live, IMO, although there are a couple of nice communities (MIRA BAY) but some have have CDD or higher HOAs. There is a lot of development in Riverview and AB.....economy is starting to recover. We have a few people who post here form the area who I'm sure will chime in.

What is CDD?

[Kelticroam]

BobandSherry, we did several visit trips to Apollo Beach and didn't like it. IMHO those smoke stacks, good Lord. I saw Mansions and the smoke stacks were part of their view. We felt very isolated in the area. The above posters are giving you very good advice. Good luck

[ApolloBeachRetiree]

Originally Posted by gmfitter

What is CDD?

I can tell you all about CDDs, taxes, flood zones, home insurance.

I retired and moved almost 3 years ago to Mirabay.

If you would like to talk on the phone, PM your number to me and I will call you.

I have always found talking to be more productive than writing back and forth.

Bob