What do you think of this condominium?
-
I could probably live here from what I see. The only problem that grabs my attention is the green wall with random white lines. What's up with that?
I want to know which floor zone it's in.
I'm doing a methodical search of MLS and saving the listings that meet my criteria e.g. includes washer and dryer.
I know condominium ownership is complicated but the more I think about it the more I think it would be better than a mobile home especially mobile homes in land lease parks.
You would have solid walls meaning privacy as opposed to these mobile homes that have metal exterior walls, no insulation in them, and double press board interior walls. Locals call them "tin cans" and it's completely on point.
-
This should be a direct link to the MLS listing-
https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/121-Brandy-Wine-Dr-121-Largo-FL-33771/2074189462_zpid/
That green and white wall is a nightmare. I wonder how much it would cost to fix it.
-
This one much better not much higher asking price. A little stark. Furniture, art, etc. Would be easy fix. 2nd floor. More privacy. In my zip code. Not on East Bay. East Bay major road- traffic and noise. Very nice.
https://www.homes.com/property/330-brandy-wine-dr-largo-fl/selvlc53bsgfq/
-
This last flat looks quite nice on paper. Is it under a busy flight take off?
You seem to be at the point to take a deep breath, a notepad and pen in hand, and go start viewing places if possible.
If I may say...
It's exciting, tiring, disappointing, frustrating, exhilarating, expensive and incredibly time consuming, in fact its almost full time job.
You could make an excel spreadsheet of potential places with essential and desirable features if you're super-organised. Rate the online area, style, rooms, grounds, price etc.However in my limited experience, visiting a place for sale is usually far different from the sunny, tidy, photos presented online. You suddenly know the reality.
The UK estate agents say all sorts of crapola, basically exaggerate and often blatently lie.
You decide to make the effort to view and go on an investigative trip: just getting there may be a deal breaker, why is the place now on the market, what's wrong with the house, the grounds, the immediate neighbours, the neighbourhood at night...?We travelled and viewed about a dozen houses around the UK before buying (3 visits to the one we bought), and ten flats in the local area of London before buying one for the kids.
It's a helluva lot of money so you'd expect to put some effort in to get what you want.As I say, take a deep breath...
Meanwhile I'm off out to buy a lottery ticket for my dream place:
https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gblhchlac240061 -
I think I will, Andy.
That's the advice my sister-law-law gives me.
And thanks for your advice about visiting!
Lovely place! The UK has such great houses in comparison to ours obviously because it's much older with such a long history.
In answer to your question, no not really. Tampa's airport is one of the busiest in the county. Saint Petersburg's airport is relegated to cargo and last time I checked one commercial carrier.
Edit-- I see that's still true and didn't know or didn't remember it's also a military facility.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Pete–Clearwater_International_Airport
-
If you are going to go for a condo, it’s important to look at the condo records and see if they have enough money set aside to do required maintenance. A lot of them do not and when it’s time for a new roof or whatever everyone gets hit with a huge assessment.
Most condo associations are quite responsible. Some are not. Florida does not have a great reputation as far as this sort of thing.
-
Steve,
I sent this listing to my sister-in-law and we had a chat about it. Her reflex reaction was negative and she didn't change her mind. She just really didn't like the idea. I chose her to be the trustee of my Trust. I'm very grateful she agreed.
We've sorted a few decisions. The car is sorted (17k price point used Hyundai Accent, approx. 40k miles, almost showroom condition), a substantial investment account in my name-- that in addition can be used to pay expenses of the car and home both in my name, not the Trust's on the advice of my attorney, and we've agreed I will buy a home in a cash sale. We pretty much agree on everything.
We're mindful these monies are to last for my lifetime. She told me to remember I chose her because she's practical. Well, that's part of it. She's very accomplished and responsible.
So, she all but ruled it out, didn't like the idea, and didn't like the price. We're going to revisit it after the storm and after I read wtg's links and research Florida's current laws.
She likes the idea of the mobile home I want to buy. I like it too. It was my idea.
Nothing's perfect. Land lease parks are transitioning from family to corporate ownership all over the country. They hike the rents substantially and have separated out certain things that used to be included in lot rent (water, waste removal) and added them as fees.
I think I could weather the storm. There are many who can't. There are many people already who are elderly and managing to keep their homes but can't afford everything they need and have to choose what to do without.
I'm leary of condos in Florida. Believe me. I live here and I hear about it. I haven't ruled them out. Living in an apartment is much nicer than living in a mobile home.
In a perfect world, I'd my an old stock concrete block house but they're risen to astronomical prices.
The bottom line is it's a blessing to be have options.