Posted on 04/07/2012 10:34:02 AM PDT by clifcrds
My wife and I are about 5 to 7 years away from retirement and we were looking to buy a retirement home in the Fort Myers / Cape Coral Florida area.
I would greatly appreciate it if any "freepers" would just give me a few “what to look fors” and “what to lookout fors” when buying a home in the area. We are already aware of the “Chinese drywall” issues.
Thanks - clifcrds
Prices are way down right now. A LOT of houses are sitting empty which isn’t good for homes in Florida. Do an inspection on anything you buy. Mold is a HUGE issue down here so pay attention to that part of the inspection.
You’re looking in the right area. I have no particular tips for you though. Good luck.
If the latter, I'd seriously advise against it, because you don't want to be a long distance absentee landlord. A lot can happen to a house in 5 years..tenants can do a lot of damage...
Leni, you have any advice or any contacts for clifcrds?
The Naples area in Collier County to the south is nicer in many ways, and with a noticeably lower crime rate than Ft. Myers/Lee County. Bonita Springs, which is in between Naples and Ft. Myers, also merits consideration.
Be very cautious. There’s a reason even neighborhoods of very modest homes frequently are surrounded by walls and gates. Florida has changed drastically in the last ten years. I suggest you rent for awhile before you sink a hunk of your life savings in a house.
I spent 7 months in Tucson last year and decide without a doubt that I will retire there
The dry heat really does make a difference
and it was beautiful there- I was outside every single day
Dont even worry about the heat
Been there. Like it. Naples and Marco Island are cool, too.
Have you ever spent an entire year in the area? It is very humdit and require small heater elements in cloests to protect your clothes. Pensacola area has a bettero overall climate.
For me I am in Yuma and while temps reach 120 in sun, it is very dry and it is difficult for me sitting in the shade trying to read a book without going to sleep. You don’t have to deal with heat rash here either. If I was on the coast I would almost be bed ridden because of all the aches and pains I would endure.
I have traveled all over the world as well as in the states and find here is the best for me and many thousand other old farts.
Look out for people wearing hoodies.
I live in an ultra safe part of an ultra safe state.
Every time I go to Florida, personal safety is never far from my mind. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like living there.
bookmark
Dont even worry about the heat.”
Presume you will be “packin’ heat” - way too close to the border for our family. Agree Arizona is awesome but IMO lots of safer areas - like Cave Creek where costs are lower but you are close to both Scottsdale and Sedona.
If we did rent it would be to only our friends & co-workers in our present area (NE SD). for a week or two.
First, there are major cutbacks in public services currently pending due to plunge in tax revenues and huge foreclosed property overhang.
Fort Myers side of Caloosahatchee:
1. Avoid Lehigh Acres
2. Stay south of College Ave. (east-west drag) away from downtown
3. Stay west (river side) of Cleveland Ave (Rt 41/Dixie Hwy)
4. Noted exception is “Little Harlem” on Gladiolas between Summerlin and McGregor.
5. Check Fort Myers Police reports for area around MLK Blvd near downtown and the courthouse
Cape Coral:
1. Like boating? The city is laced with canals that have gulf access although some require small boats that can get under some bridges on the way to getting to the gulf.
2. Some areas north of Pine Island Rd may not be in incorporated Cape Coral (I don't get up there much) and residential building there doesn't seem to be up to codes.
I live near Sanibel on the Caloosahatchee river. Nearly every day I see dolphin, manatee, eagles, pelicans, antenna's and a variety of herons. It is glorious! It is a fisherman's and boaters paradise.
I don't mind the humidity or heat as I avoid going out in the day during the summer. A record high temperature would be in the mid-upper 90’s in the summer but the ocean breeze is always there near the water. You get six solid months with highs in the 80’s (spring and fall), three summer months in the 90’s and three winter months with highs in the lower 70’s most days... only a few days with highs in the 60’s or rarely in the 50’s.
Hurricanes can buzz-saw the area in any given year and must be prepared for (check out websites) and insured against and built into your budget.
The Naples area in Collier County to the south is nicer in many ways, and with a noticeably lower crime rate than Ft. Myers/Lee County. Bonita Springs, which is in between Naples and Ft. Myers, also merits consideration.
We were looking for someplace with at least a regional airport in the area . . . what is the closest airport near Naples?
I live in Florida and it is gradually becoming more like the over regulated police state I left NY to avoid 30 years ago. That being said it is still a good place to retire. There are lots of activities a lot of which are designed for seniors. Plenty of restaurants , beaches and entertainment venues. If I was to come looking to retire I would look for a condominium with the amenities I was looking for but I would carefully investigate the association and the associated fees. I would not buy from a developer as they usually subsidize the operating expenses. A mature assoc. run by the residents that has reasonable mait fees along with proper reserve amounts for the major expenses they will incure. Beware condos that are selling for very low prices, often these are people looking to unload the unit at any price because they know the fees are going to go through the roof. The state has an ongoing crack down on condos that are dipping into reserves to pay operating expenses and is forcing boards to raise fees to cover the actual costs and not allowing them to count on blue sky fees due from units that are in foreclosure and noone is paying the fees. Banks are only liable for 1 years fees in most cases even when the foreclosure takes longer.
I spent 7 months in Tucson last year and decide without a doubt that I will retire there
The dry heat really does make a difference
and it was beautiful there- I was outside every single day
Dont even worry about the heat
Thaks for the info but we spent a week in Mesa Arizona this winter just to check it out and we really didn’t think it was our type of country. Weather was great, but we don’t golf so we were kind of bored most of the time.
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