SW Florida Recommendations (Request)

[Pau Hana Daz]

Hi all -

We've decided that rather than continue our cross country commute to/from the boat ( GA/FL) we're going to sell our house in PHX and buy a place in FL on the water where we can keep the boat. Thinking about SW FL, but I can only find so much info online so we're planning a trip out there on New Years' to look around at different areas (St. Pete and down to Ft. Meyers area). Before we go I'm hoping for some recommendations for neighborhoods and realtors in the area(s). I've had good luck in the past with recommendations from other sailors so I figured rather than just pick an area from a map and a name from the phone book I'd ask here.

We'd like to keep the price at/under $400k and need 5+ feet at low tide and of course no fixed bridges.

So, does anyone here have some local knowledge of areas to look at / places to avoid in SW FL, and do you have a realtor that you can recommend?

Thanks

[Blue Skye]

Cape Coral still has some great sailboat properties available which are reasonably priced. Punta Gorda Isles (PGI) offfers the same, maybe even a little cheaper. As far as Realtors, google buyers agents in those areas. PM me if you want my Realtors' info. Good luck in your search.

[denverd0n]

Do a bit of research into current issues concerning federal flood insurance before you buy. Some buyers have recently been surprised (because they didn't do their own due diligence) to find out that the flood insurance rate that they have to pay may be 5-10 times what the previous owner was paying.

Frankly, I would also suggest a visit in the summer time before committing to moving to Florida (unless this is a second home, that you won't live in during the summer). I read some time back that almost 2/3rds of the people who move to Florida move away again within less than 2 years. Primarily because they had never been through a Florida summer and just couldn't take it.

Compared to Phoenix the temperature in Florida will actually be noticeably less. We almost NEVER have days over 100 degrees. But we also almost never have days where the humidity is less than 50% or so. During the summer, practically every morning you can count on the humidity being very nearly 100%. 95 degrees and 95% humidity is just an average August day here in the Tampa area. That's a problem for a lot of people.

Good luck to you, whatever you end up doing.

[djmarchand]

My wife an I took a hard look at Punta Gorda Isles as a second home location last year. PGI is a nice community and seemed to be a bit more upscale than Cape Coral. It is on Charlotte Harbor which is has the only big water inland sailing in the area.

We worked with Ken and Karen Rolland- kr2@krolland.com who were very helpful and knowledgeable. You shouldn't have any trouble finding a nice canal front home for under $400K in PGI.

David

[Pau Hana Daz]

Thanks for the responses and info so far.

I had noticed a few comments about flood insurance while looking at Zillow listings so I did do some reading about the Federal Flood insurance and subsidies changes. We're not really looking for an older home, and it will be a cash purchase, so hopefully this won't be as big of an issue for us as it might be for others - But that is something that I'll keep in mind as we look at different areas and start to look at specific properties.

The point about summer temps and humidity is also a good one - We lived in FLL/Sunrise for several years so we're familiar with that, but, just like out here, I'm sure it can be a shocker for those not accustomed to the summer climate. What is the bug issue there? We had the typical FL bugs when we lived on the east coast and inland, but I have grown to absolutely hate the biting gnats in south GA (St. Mary's) where we're keeping the boat.

Right now we don't have a very focused list, but we are planning on looking at Apollo Beach, and then down to Cape Coral and Port Charlotte/PGI for starters. Any places we should stay away from for whatever reason?

Thanks again - Looking forward to getting out there and seeing things in person.

[KemoSabe]

I liveaboard here in SWFL.

Charlotte Harbor is nice, but if you are looking for housing, you really can't beat Cape Coral/NFM/Punta Gorda. Its one of the best real estate markets currently in FL, as far as buying is concerned. I know of at least two dozen sailboat access canals for sale, both empty lots and fully setup. Im talking in the under 100K range. 200K fully fully loaded.

Let me know if you have any questions, Im local and can answer most of your questions.

[Siege]

Cape Coral or Punta Gorda would be nice. Charlotte Harbor is a fine place to sail and the previous owner of my boat used to sail it all the time from his condo at Burnt Store Marina. My experience down there however is limited to my delivery of the boat to St Pete.

Prices are down (but raising rapidly again) in St Pete, but your budget might make the hunt a little more difficult. I personally find the Tampa Bay Area to be fantastic for sailing, and with a house in the right location you could be in the bay or the gulf in just a few minutes. The only downside is that it's typically more expensive than it's less developed neighboring areas.

I have a fantastic real estate broker (who's also a captain). If you want his info PM me.

Good luck on the search.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Do a bit of research into current issues concerning federal flood insurance before you buy. Some buyers have recently been surprised (because they didn't do their own due diligence) to find out that the flood insurance rate that they have to pay may be 5-10 times what the previous owner was paying.

Frankly, I would also suggest a visit in the summer time before committing to moving to Florida (unless this is a second home, that you won't live in during the summer). I read some time back that almost 2/3rds of the people who move to Florida move away again within less than 2 years. Primarily because they had never been through a Florida summer and just couldn't take it.

Compared to Phoenix the temperature in Florida will actually be noticeably less. We almost NEVER have days over 100 degrees. But we also almost never have days where the humidity is less than 50% or so. During the summer, practically every morning you can count on the humidity being very nearly 100%. 95 degrees and 95% humidity is just an average August day here in the Tampa area. That's a problem for a lot of people.

Good luck to you, whatever you end up doing.

Yes here in north Tampa last SUmmer it rained 90 out of 94 days

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by KemoSabe

I liveaboard here in SWFL.

Charlotte Harbor is nice, but if you are looking for housing, you really can't beat Cape Coral/NFM/Punta Gorda. Its one of the best real estate markets currently in FL, as far as buying is concerned. I know of at least two dozen sailboat access canals for sale, both empty lots and fully setup. Im talking in the under 100K range. 200K fully fully loaded.

Let me know if you have any questions, Im local and can answer most of your questions.

CAPE CORAL IS VERY SHALLOW FOR HIS BOAT ..... canals with houses north of Ft Myers much better--- pine ISland very shallow-very dank--- Punta Gorda cool if you can afford it there.

[geoleo]

Originally Posted by Pau Hana Daz

Thanks for the responses and info so far.

I had noticed a few comments about flood insurance while looking at Zillow listings so I did do some reading about the Federal Flood insurance and subsidies changes. We're not really looking for an older home, and it will be a cash purchase, so hopefully this won't be as big of an issue for us as it might be for others - But that is something that I'll keep in mind as we look at different areas and start to look at specific properties.

The point about summer temps and humidity is also a good one - We lived in FLL/Sunrise for several years so we're familiar with that, but, just like out here, I'm sure it can be a shocker for those not accustomed to the summer climate. What is the bug issue there? We had the typical FL bugs when we lived on the east coast and inland, but I have grown to absolutely hate the biting gnats in south GA (St. Mary's) where we're keeping the boat.

Right now we don't have a very focused list, but we are planning on looking at Apollo Beach, and then down to Cape Coral and Port Charlotte/PGI for starters. Any places we should stay away from for whatever reason?

Thanks again - Looking forward to getting out there and seeing things in person.

--- Apollo Beach no breeze in summer---I too had a boat in ST MArys Boat Service Yard-- tides and bugs =whole georgia coast

[bella]

I would suggest St. Pete. City marina is decent. Bayside the flood zone only goes in 3 to 4 blocks. Old Southeast is a great neighborhood. It is jusr south of downtown amd right next to the local marine district. No direct hits from hurricanes in 50+ yrs. Lots edges...take flood zones into serious considerarion. All I surance rates will jump considersbly when you move here. It is what it is.

I dunno why people complain about the heat. I only turn the AC on during July, August, and some of september, and then only to pull some of the humidity out. Temp is set st 80, with ceiling fans. Of course it rains every day...lol...its the rainy season. The bright side is getting to sail year round and laugh at pics of boats on the hard from September to march up north.

It all depends on the lifestyle and such that you want. Sarasota is a serious money and all that entails town. Fort myers more old Florida. Naples full of carperbsggers with money. St. Pete has it all....btw..sailing Tampa Bay I winter is da bomb...NO powerboats to dodge, endles 70 degree days, sunshine and wind. Wind in october is at night...used to live to chase wind all night in the fall.

I lived two blocks from the bay in Old Northeast and was in no evac zone...btw stay away from shore acres, it floods if someone spits.
welcome to Florida. Cannot imagine living anywhere else. Pm me if I can be any help...anne

[Siege]

What Bella said. St Pete is a fantastic city that really does have it all. I moved there 12 years ago and fell in love. It's done nothing but get better since then.

Both marinas downtown are great if you want to consider going that route. I have a house I barely see because I live on my boat downtown. The culture, nightlife, and just plain beautiful ambiance make it a truly great medium sized city.

Another added benefit of the area is the amount of really good yards and professionals to do boat work should you need it. Salt Creek has pretty much every service you could want and even a diy boat yard.

[scuba0_1]

We keep ours at burnt store Maria in cape coral. Awesome marina. 1 day sail to keys little less to Tampa. Prices are great. We live in Naples. But the price and location was right and the amenities are awesome.

[captainstubbie]

I just sent you a PM

[CaptHaddock]

Punta Gorda Isles or Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda, 1/2 way between Punta Gorda and Cape Coral. Both locations have direct access to Charlotte Harbor, one of the best kept sailing secrets in the US.