Air Force move to Macdill...buy or rent close to base? (Tampa: apartments, lease)

[mdbennes]

Newbie here and would like to get your thoughts. I'm transferring to MacDill and looking to live close to the base. I looked at THE LANDINGS by Ashton Woods this past weekend. Very nice houses, but require flood insurance. I'm not worried about schools as my kids will stay here in Ft Walton Beach and I will commute a couple times a month on the weekends to see them. I believe I will only be here for 2-3 years. I'm trying to decide to either rent or buy down there. I plan to have my golden retriever with me, so a yard would be nice, but not a must.

I'm scared about the housing market still going down and then having to sell my house in 2-3 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Mike

[housingcrashsurvivor]

Though there are some who speculate that the market could come back within two or three years (come back as in start acting normal, not as in back to bubble prices or appreciation rates), and I hope it does but am not counting on it, I would not buy just to own for 2 or 3 years, considering things might not get back to normal, considering the hassle of buying and the cost of selling, etc.

To hold for five or especially 10 years or longer (whether you live in it for the first three years and then rent it out, for instance), I think could be a good idea if researched well and executed carefully & properly. For less time I'd rent, especially now as rents have come down considerably since the illusionary bubble period.

[mdbennes]

Thanks for the info. That's kind of what I was thinking as well. Any ideas on some townhomes/condos near the base with rent ranges from $1100-2000?

[housingcrashsurvivor]

You're welcome. Not all that familiar with that area but realtor.com shows lots to pick from. With the pup I'd go for a house. For instance...

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6814-S-Gabrielle-St_Tampa_FL_33611_1117254233?mp=1

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Tampa_FL_33611_1113700120?mp=1

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7007-S-Sparkman-St_Tampa_FL_33616_1116048238?mp=1

Now you just need to find one with a fenced yard and a doggie door.

[BucFan]

the drive to Brandon isn't far - via the cross town expressway - not much traffic on the expressway - just on Dale Mabry. I'd live in Brandon if I were you - there are several townhome type communities there. The stuff near MacDill seems run down, poor - there are several condo/townhome communities that look nice right outside the back/side gate that leads to Bayshore and Hyde Park areas - those are convenient and look nicer. But the communities off of Dale Mabry aren't very nice looking.

[BucFan]

the first two listings from housingcrash aren't too bad of an area ----all three look nice though -convenient to live close to base.

[mdbennes]

Originally Posted by housingcrashsurvivor

You're welcome. Not all that familiar with that area but realtor.com shows lots to pick from. With the pup I'd go for a house. For instance...

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/6814-S-Gabrielle-St_Tampa_FL_33611_1117254233?mp=1

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Tampa_FL_33611_1113700120?mp=1

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/7007-S-Sparkman-St_Tampa_FL_33616_1116048238?mp=1

Now you just need to find one with a fenced yard and a doggie door.

Thanks Housingcrashsurvivor for all the info. Those are a good start and close to bayshore would be nice too.

[mdbennes]

Originally Posted by BucFan

the first two listings from housingcrash aren't too bad of an area ----all three look nice though -convenient to live close to base.

Yea, It would be nice to be close to base...I just hate driving period. I all three actually...especially the second one

[craigm1841]

I lived in brandon and commuted to MacDill AFB. I hated it. I live near international plaza now, much better commute.

I was in the military until about a year and a half ago. I bought a house in GA and still have it. it sat vacant for months after I ETS'd i was paying to live in two places at once. Now I have to deal with a property manager for a house i want to sell, but am upsidedown on.

Biggest mistake I made was buying a house as a single guy, knowing I wouldn't be staying in the area more then a few years.

I suggest renting. Not to mention the fact that if you deploy, you can easily get out of your lease. If you deploy, you are still going to have to make your mortgage payment. To maximize the money you save on deployment, I wouldn't reccomend buying. Unless you have a substantial down payment, it is cheaper to rent anyway. You have to take into consideration assosiation fees, and all those other great expenses that come with owning a house.

[mdbennes]

Originally Posted by craigm1841

I lived in brandon and commuted to MacDill AFB. I hated it. I live near international plaza now, much better commute.

I was in the military until about a year and a half ago. I bought a house in GA and still have it. it sat vacant for months after I ETS'd i was paying to live in two places at once. Now I have to deal with a property manager for a house i want to sell, but am upsidedown on.

Biggest mistake I made was buying a house as a single guy, knowing I wouldn't be staying in the area more then a few years.

I suggest renting. Not to mention the fact that if you deploy, you can easily get out of your lease. If you deploy, you are still going to have to make your mortgage payment. To maximize the money you save on deployment, I wouldn't reccomend buying. Unless you have a substantial down payment, it is cheaper to rent anyway. You have to take into consideration assosiation fees, and all those other great expenses that come with owning a house.

Thanks Craig for the info. I am looking at renting now and hope to get back down there in May to look at apartments/condos/townhomes. I saw that Phillips International is pretty new and has some nice apartments. I will look there as well as Casa Bella and maybe a condo here and there. But I do want to be close to base and not commute far at all...thanks again.

Mike