Communities near Orlando

[ducklite]

FeralPeg--

I'm wondering which builders home's had problems. I know someone who is building in Windermere and thankt goodness her house isn't done yet, because there was significant water damage, as you described, but it's still the builders property. I can't recall her development, but Levitt is the builder.

Our house went through all three storms with no problems. Let's see, hurricane related issues:

1. Some of the branches on one of my magnolia's were stripped of their leaves.
2. A little water on the marble window sill in my DR...it evaporated before I had a chance to wipe it up.
3. A small amount of seepeage under the garage door--not sure that even counts.
4. A freak event which short circuited a smoke detector--you can read the entire hilarious episode about that in my "We moved in during a hurricane" story.

My neighbors all had similar issues--in other words, none.

Anne

 

[Feralpeg]

I believe the builder for the area where most of the homes had damage was Ryland (not sure of the spelling). I know they said there were some problems in Summerport as well.

 

[ahutton]

To the poster from Texas - keep in mind that property taxes in other states are NOWHERE near what we pay here, and so you may very well be able to afford a more expensive home than you would ever consider buying in Texas. I'm sure that is part of what keeps our housing prices lower. I know in Austin I'm paying just under $450 per month in property tax, and my home appraisal value is just about 3/4 of your price listed. I wish we had realized the amount of taxes before we bought, we would have looked for something smaller or less expensive. Can someone here give us an idea of what taxes run on a home in that range? Maybe we can figure out approximate mortgage payments and I can start a hard sell on DH of why we should move!

 

[jajuan]

Yes. Our taxes are over 600 a month. I saw a post that stated 2400 for taxes in Orlando and wondered if that included ALL taxes. I don't believe FL has state income tax either so it surprised me that the house taxes could be so low. Thanks for the thought...I really didn't think about all of that extra money available for a higher mortgage note.

 

[Feralpeg]

We have something here called the Homestead Act. If you apply, you can lower your real estate tax.

 

[jajuan]

We have that too, but it doesn't make a huge difference.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

When figuring out Ad Valorem Taxes you cannot go by what the people are paying on an existing home. In Florida, Ad Valorem taxes are capped at 3% increase per year. However, if you buy an existing home that 3% goes out the window. You may have a lower rate the first year you are in the house (it goes by the assessed value as of Jan. 1), but the second year you could get a real surprise. You will find that a neighbor across the street is paying less than you are for almost the same exact house. Again, this has to do with only existing homes. Keep in mind however, that someone already living in the same area will be paying less than you at move in because of the 3% cap. There is a $25,000 Homestead Tax exemption, which is nice.

 

[Bojangles]