Bruno,
I am a top agent with Century21 Beggins Enterprises in Apollo Beach (the #1 office from here to GA) AND I regularly work with buyers and sellers in Covington Park. You will find that most of the newer subdivisions in this area that have nice amenities will have a CDD. They also have very LOW homeowner's association fees. The different amounts are due to different lot sizes (and some of the differences may be due to homeowners giving the agent an estimate or incorrect amount). The CDD is actually higher in several other communities in this area. The CDD (Community Development District) provides the funding for the developer to put those amenities in as soon as he starts development, instead of having to sell hundreds of homes before having enough money to build those amenities. PLUS the money will be there for upkeep of the community and its amenities. You will find the values on the properties in a CDD community are more stable because it is kept up over the years. If you don't care about those things, i.e. amenities and upkeep of the area, then perhaps a CDD community is not for you. I can tell you, with personal knowledge, that Covington Park is one of the more attractive communities in this area. Newland Communities is a top notch developer and has done Fishhawk in Lithia and Mirabay (waterfront community) in Apollo Beach as well as Covington Park. AND because it is a buyer's market, you can find some great deals there right now. I have videos of a couple of my Covington listings at http://tampacostalrealestate.blogspot.com
Leave a comment to register for a chance to win a Free 2 Night Beach Getaway at
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Don't hesitate to call me if I can answer any of your questions.
Thank you,
Bonnie Fagoh
Century21 Beggins Enterprises
(813) 390-7606

Mon Jun 16 2008, 11:37

Dear Bruno,
My husband and I are selling a home on Terra Ceia Island on the Gulf Coast. It is located south of St. Petersburg and in fact, as you go south over the Skyway Bridge, at the top, look to your right and you will see a body of land...that is Terra Ceia Island. Twenty minutes from St. Pete and thirty from Tampa and Sarasota. Our home is a two story Key West style, two bedroom, two bathroom with a four-car garage under the main living area with ten foot ceilings. It is on a canal lot surrounded by 298' of water and is only three houses from the open bay. No bridges to contend with. Terra Ceia has a definite casual lifestyle, with neighbors riding golf carts, bicycles, jogging or roller blading. The name Terra Ceia translates to "Land Heavenly" and it truly is! Our asking price is $399,000 with homes around us selling for million plus. Please look at our site onhttp:// www.zillow.com, key in 34250 zip code and look for our address 1115 Bayshore Drive. If you have any questions, contact our email address. Good luck in your search for your Florida home. Kathy Riley, ekriley@mounet.com

Fri May 16 2008, 09:41

CDD's can also be inclusive of the cost for a brand new school system that will support a new community, and they do not last forever. Normally for a period of 15-30 years.

Let me know if you need for info specific to Covington Park.

Tue Apr 22 2008, 22:21

Bruno -

CDD fees can vary from home to home in a community. As homes were built CDD fees changed in the community, the CDD fee is a fee to pay for the initial development of the community (roads, sidewalks, streetlights, etc.). You may even find homes in some CDD communities where the seller has paid their fee upfront (though this is rare). Please don't confuse the CDD fee with the homeowners association fee, they are separate and used differently. Homeowners association fees are used for the maintenance of the common areas and ammenities that certain communities have and range widely per community.

Your CDD fees become part of your taxes, so be sure to take that into consideration when you are calculating your monthly payments (principal, interest, taxes and insurance).

If you have any questions, please contact us or visit our website to search all homes available in the Tampa Bay area. Best of luck in your home search!

Mon Apr 21 2008, 06:57

Bruno,

The CDD is high and there are other nice communities in the area to choose from without paying for CDD.
If you want to be near the water, take a look at Bimini Bay where Schmidt Bros. Homes are the builders and do not charge CDDs.
Summerfield is a nice community too and no CDD.
Taxes are high enough, why pay more.

You can contact me and I will send you available homes in the area with no CDD fees.

Phil@PhilFowler.com

Thu Apr 17 2008, 14:53