Taxes, CDD, HOA....How much are we talking? (Tampa, Lakeland: to rent, HOA fees)

[fullnelson3]

Can anyone provide details on approximate property taxes, CDD, HOA fees in Westchase/Waterchase/Fishhawk/Palm Harbor for the following values:

300K-350K
350K-400K
400K-450K

Also any insight into property insurance costs?

Looking to move to the Tampa area and trying to get a handle on how much home we can afford.

Thanks
fullnelson3

[patel_rph]

the official numbers says 17 USD per 1000 of ur house valuation ... what do u think about that ... do u think it is xpensive lliving ?

[fullnelson3]

$17 per $1000 of house value does not seem all that bad. i did find hillsborough county property tax estimator online.....seems to be more like $24 per $1000 in the Tampa area. not able to find similar estimator for pinellas county. i assume it's about the same as Tampa. Any insight into insurance costs?
thanks
fullnelson3

[suncoastman]

Originally Posted by fullnelson3

$17 per $1000 of house value does not seem all that bad. i did find hillsborough county property tax estimator online.....seems to be more like $24 per $1000 in the Tampa area. not able to find similar estimator for pinellas county. i assume it's about the same as Tampa. Any insight into insurance costs?
thanks
fullnelson3

You'll be lucky to even GET homeowners insurance !! Rotsa Ruck !!

JOE

[Floridasunshine]

You are way off, Lakeland Polk county is 17.00, Tampa is closer to 28 you better check it out , car insurance , homeowners, and the prices of homes are almost twice as much. check it out before you buy.

[tampagirl]

I currently live in Fishhawk and have been here for four years. When I purchased my home it was valued at $127,000 and my taxes along with the CDD fees for last year totaled close to $3,700 (even though I paid it in November of 2006). The CDD fees increased shortly after I moved in. I believe CDD fees are currently $980 for the year. Homeowners association fees are $160 for the year and I don't know what they do with this. IF you live in a gated subdivision your homeowner's insurance will be higher. On the positive - the schools are great! Unfortunately it is getting outrageously expensive to live in Florida. My homeowners insurance has gone up 150% since I moved in and I am thankful that I still have a homeowner's policy. Between taxes and homeowner's policy increasing on a yearly basis my mortgage payments go up every year due to escrow requirements (even though I have a fixed rate mortgage at less than 6%). Bottom line you can expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 a year in taxes depending on the value of your home. It's a great place to live and my kids enjoy it a lot. However, I am looking to leave and relocate to North Carolina. It will hurt me deeply to leave FishHawk because I love being here. But I can get a bigger home and more property for $200,000 in North Carolina. That will only buy you a townhouse or a very small house in Fishhawk. I hope that this helps

[audboogie]

Originally Posted by tampagirl

I currently live in Fishhawk and have been here for four years. When I purchased my home it was valued at $127,000 and my taxes along with the CDD fees for last year totaled close to $3,700 (even though I paid it in November of 2006). The CDD fees increased shortly after I moved in. I believe CDD fees are currently $980 for the year. Homeowners association fees are $160 for the year and I don't know what they do with this. IF you live in a gated subdivision your homeowner's insurance will be higher. On the positive - the schools are great! Unfortunately it is getting outrageously expensive to live in Florida. My homeowners insurance has gone up 150% since I moved in and I am thankful that I still have a homeowner's policy. Between taxes and homeowner's policy increasing on a yearly basis my mortgage payments go up every year due to escrow requirements (even though I have a fixed rate mortgage at less than 6%). Bottom line you can expect to pay anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 a year in taxes depending on the value of your home. It's a great place to live and my kids enjoy it a lot. However, I am looking to leave and relocate to North Carolina. It will hurt me deeply to leave FishHawk because I love being here. But I can get a bigger home and more property for $200,000 in North Carolina. That will only buy you a townhouse or a very small house in Fishhawk. I hope that this helps

where in north carolina is this??

[Florida101]

Hello Fullnelson3

Insurance estimates will depend on several factors, here are a few main ones:

- land area of where home sits
- Your credit (most providers now use this to include in forming cost)
- Value of home

Here in Florida we had a problem over insurance providers bailing out of the state and not writing homeowners policies. Especially if you are near the beaches. The states insurer (Citizens) is the one that writes you a policy if no commercial insurer will underwrite your policy.

Recently legislation passed that gave some relief to insurance companies and the goal was to reduce insurance by 15-20%. What really happened were drops of 4-11%. If you are more inland you should not have to much a problem. My home value is about $250,000. My insurance anually is $1400/yr through USAA just to give you an idea.

Look for something with the tax code to be readjusted downwards as Tallahasee is pushing two plans to bring to vote next year.

The current tax structure is outdated and was usefull when home values in Florida were real low. a high millage rate allowed local governments to collect sufficient funds to operate the county. Now they are reluctantly seeing that something has to be done. (but as with any county in America local politicians will always complain that there is never enough money)

[jazlene]

So would you say it it better to rent in Fl (Tampa area) tha own a home. I am currently selling my home in NJ because I can no longer afford it and was planning on moving to the Tampa area, Brandon or Odessa and buy a home around 200k with 20% down but now after reading this I think I wont be able to afford it either. Any suggestions. thanks

[sange77]

Rent first, at least it gives you an out if you decide you dont like it or that you won't be able to afford it. It also gives you the opportunity to choose the neighborhood that is right for you and your family.