Todd Engala

Was the information provided below helpful? - Tue Apr 1 2008, 17:19

From first hand experience and family still living in the Belleair and Indian Rocks area we never worried about flooding. Now I never lived directly on the water but during the Hurricans and Tropical Storms there were some properties that received water damage. It all depends on your priorities do you want the waterfront home with the dock and boat? Insurance in that situation will be higher and you will be required to carry flood insurance. Check out these two website that show you your flood risk by property address: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/index.shtm. If I could be of any further assistance please call me at 813-699-1386 or email me at tengala@prutropical.com my website is http://www.TheSouthShoreTeam.com

Thank you and Happy Hunting!!!! - Mon Mar 31 2008, 22:20

Florida40,

Some additional information concerning the future planning of Ruskin Fl and the rest of South Shore can be found at:

http://www.hccommunityplanning.com/hccbpp_Ruskin/

This is a Community Based plan for the Ruskin area. As stated below Ruskin along with the whole South Shore Area has been in extensive growth for the past 5 years with a slow down in the past year I agree with Bill and Jeff that the market is still reclining and allot of speculation is still going on but the location between Sarasota and Tampa is favorable and Ruskin along with Apollo Beach has Bay access which is of course favorable (unless you have to pay for insurance) If we were not in this uncertain market I would say jump on it but their are many variables which would keep me from confidently saying go for it. See most of the planning programs were established at the time of our real estate peak, now if the county pushes through with its proposed planning then I see a more realistic rebound within the next 5 years. I hope this helps you and if I can be of any further assistance my website is listed below.

Thanks for your question - Thu Mar 6 2008, 07:16

Jean Marie,

Sorry again please check out this site by the EPA Environmental Protection Agency concerning Radon levels in the area: (Radon and Real Estate: http://www.epa.gov/radon/realestate.html) and EPA map of radon in Florida is located below

Please check out these sites again befor someone tries to scare you into a certain action.

Thank you - Wed Mar 5 2008, 18:26

Instead of just scaring you and mentioning CDD fees let me give a short explaination of what it covers. CDD - Community Development District - Florida law provided for the establishment of community development districts (or CDDs), to pay for costly, up-front infrastructure needs. A CDD can obtain infrastructure financing through utilizing tax exempt district bonds. These bonds are repaid, usually over a 20 year period, through an annual property tax assessment.

CDDs are empowered to finance, build, operate and manage infrastructure and recreational facilities. CDDs are often used by master planned communities to build roads, water management, waste/sewer, schools, conservation areas, streetlights, bridges, parks, swimming pools, golf courses, security etc.

These fees help maintain the high standards and costs of communities grounds keeping and community supported amenities. - Wed Mar 5 2008, 10:46

Jean Marie,

The link that Mark Zabilow provided is the best link to research schools, though your question was directed to family neighborhoods. One of the best neighborhoods in this area for teenagers and schools is Fish Hawk Ranch. Fish Hawk provides a skate park and water park for your teenagers. Newsome High School has been ranked top in the area since it was constructed. The web address to find out more about this community is http://www.fishhawkranch.com. I am available to show you properties in Fish Hawk as well as to represent you and your interests if you decide to go with a new home builder. Please view the community/new home builder site and if you have any questions please email me at tengala@prutropical.com. Below is a property search link for this area.


Thank you - Tue Mar 4 2008, 17:24

Congrats Eric,

Which community did you go with Avalar or Oak Creek? It was nice talking to you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks - Wed Mar 5 2008, 17:51

Well I am not sure about all your circumstances and requirements for your search, I can only go by what you have disclosed so far. To get information about the schools I can provide you with the links to direct you to their website. For liability reasons I can only direct you to the sites that can answer your questions about Florida ranking and more. This information is updated directly from the school system and the state of Florida Educational offices (Hillsborough County School Website: http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/schools) The commute to Tampa General is around 45min depending upon the time and construction. If moving to Lithia, you may have to go through Riverview, Boyette Rd which is undergoing widening along with 301 in Riverview may delay your commute. The Crosstown, a local toll road, unites Brandon and Tampa which should quicken your commute time. To estimate taxes you can go to this site: Hillsborough Online Tax Estimator http://www.hcpafl.org/www/search/tax_estimator.shtml. Also for you information Valrico, FL was listed in "Best Places to Raise Your Family: The Top 100 Affordable Communities in the U.S" written by Bert Sperling and Peter Sander published in May 2006. I would appreciate it if you could call me at 813-699-1386 to discuss your requirements for your search.

Thank you, - Wed Mar 5 2008, 17:44

To follow up with Alma information to qualify for the "Save our Homes" tax discount you must homestead your property with the county. Currently by homesteading you can receive a tax discount of $25000 and then also qualify for the "Save our Homes" cap. To search for properties in this area please click the link below.

Thank you, - Wed Mar 5 2008, 14:11

Jason,

I would suggest the New Tampa Area. Trinity has some great upscale properties that you may want to look into. I focus my business around the South Shore Area of Hillsborough County and know of some great upscale communities in Apollo Beach, Valrico and Lithia. The Hospital mentioned below is moving from Sun City Center to south Riverview. I have included a link to local Hospitals in the Tampa Bay Area with location on maps and their websites. Please email me if I can be of any further assistance tengala@prutopical.com. - Tue Mar 4 2008, 17:44