Sue Clulow

Try http://www.craigslist.com in their Tampa real estate section then put in Brandon as a search term. Listings are posted realtime. Check the site frequently. - Wed Aug 13 2008, 18:18

If you have school age children, I would recommend that you focus on Saint Johns County which has superior schools. The NW portion of St. Johns county is totally a bedroom community for Jacksonville commuters. There are many family friendly developments to choose from and lots of properties are on the market to choose from. I am not a real estate agent. - Mon Aug 11 2008, 16:49

Very high is a relative term. What is your definition of high? If you buy an 1800 sq. ft. concrete block or poured concrete wall home built after 2002 in my county St. Johns (St. Augustine) 1/2 mile or further from the beach you can totally insure the home including for flood under $1600 per year. I know this is a fact because my sister just purchsed a like home this month. Some people think property taxes are high in FL but they forget that we have no state income tax. Utility costs are much lower than states in the northest U.S. Be careful if you buy a condo on the beach. Condo fees cover the co-op insurance but when damages occur, the condo owners have been assssed huge fees by the condo assoc. to pay the deductable. Most of the damage costs you read about apply to older homes which were built prior to strict building codes being enacted and enforced. Our county (St. Johns) has a very strict buidling code that gives homeowners the advantage of great insurance rates. I retired here 10 years ago and have loved every minute of being here. I am not a real estate agent. - Mon Aug 11 2008, 16:35

Tricia, Mr. McElroy has given you very good advice re: Village of Tuscany. Toll Brothers has built some great homes there but unfortunately they are built in the wrong place. I am not a realtor. - Sun Aug 10 2008, 18:48

If your main priority is finding a good neighborhood for your children to flourish, I would start with investigating the various schools in the area. If your children have a particular interest or need from the schools, find out which of those schools can meet those needs best and be sure to move into the area districted for the schools. There are many wonderful magnet programs but it is my understanding that due to budget cuts buses will not be provided for magnet school students living outside the schools' boundaries. Will your children be participaing in after school activities? If so, you might think about buying close to the school to limit your "on road" time. Many neighborhoods in our area are not designated as adult communities, but very few children live in them because of lack of sidewalks/ greenspace to play/ and private roads that school buses do not enter. Some communities do not allow you to put a swing set in your backyard. - Sat Aug 9 2008, 18:52