Real Estate in Fort Lauderdale and Surrounds

I lived in FLL for >50 years. It sounds like she wants to be in one of the southeast Ft. Lauderdale neighborhoods....Rio Vista, Victoria Park, las Olas, etc. Sorry to tell you that her budget will buy literally almost nothing. For instance, lot values (tear downs) alone in Rio Vista, the neighborhood I lived in, are now more than $70/SF, with a minimum lot size of 6,000sf = $420,000 before you even start building. A decent house in a nice neighborhood almost anywhere in Broward County, much less Ft. Lauderdale, will be virtually impossible to find for $250,000, especially east of I-95.

Something else to consider: since she won't be homesteaded in Florida her taxes will be quite high, as will her windstorm insurance premiums.

 

She needs to look west of I-95. East of there, and everything Jack says is true. West of there and she will have a lot of options, particularly if she comes to Palm Beach county. I'd recommend a townhouse near one of the outdoor malls. Places I would around look are:

Delray Marketplace | Shopping in Delray Beach, Florida ? Kite Realty Group This is a nice entertainment center on W. Atlantic with tons of development nearby

About Town Center at Boca Raton® - A Shopping Center in Boca Raton, FL - A Simon Property West of 95 on Glades. No new construction but a variety of homes nearby although not many within walking distance

Abacoa Town Center | Work - Play - Live May be the best bet. Lots for sale in there although it is east of 95. Abacoa is a nice town center with lots to do including a baseball stadium

I have a realtor I can hook her up with in these areas, PM me if you want the connection.

 

Not much help there either. Our house was <1600sf. Buyer paid >$600k and tore it down.

 

She can find something small in Hollywood Beach for $300,000 - $350,000 where you can easily ride a bicycle to the beach and also be within walking distance to restaurants. It won't be much of a place but it may work for her. You're also just a short drive up US1 to Ft. Lauderdale.

Scott

 

If she finds anything tell me where and I'll take one too!!!!!

I've lived here 14+ years and I've been looking to move the last five. I can't find anything less then $350,000 for a 3/2, two car garage. To make matters worse I need to be in a good school district which down here is next to impossible. My kids school went from an A rating to a D in the span of four years.

If I move not only will my mortgage double but my taxes and insurance as well!!! Stuart/Jupiter looks better everyday. Now if I can just convince the wife!

 

Have her look in Deerfield Beach, Florida (Northern Broward County). Smaller homes east of 95 but w of US1 are plentiful, reasonable and close/within range....my $.02.

 

She can get into Shady Banks (Davie Blvd just East of 95) for that kind of money, but won't be walking distance to shopping etc.

I have a 3/1 for sale there at $335K, but there are other homes in the mid to upper $200K's. In that price range, most will need some kind of work.

 

I agree with looking in Deerfield or Hollywood. Everything down here is high.

 

Go to Ft Lauderdale Beach near Las Olas Blvd. Lots of places with ocean view. Its a nice place to walk around also. There's a nice restaurant called Coconut's in that area on the intracoastal.

 

Osteria Agua e Farina, an authentic Italian bistro on US1 a few blocks south of the tunnel. Seasons 52 in Galleria. Hardy Park Bistro.

 

I would say the deal breaker is "within walking distance"
I live in Plantation Isles, specifically known as "old Plantation" about 1/4 mile north of 595 and 1 mile east of University Dr.
There is nothing within walking distance, except for a park; but within 5 minutes by car you are in the heart of Plantation and one can find just about everything.
Another bonus is that within those 5 minutes by car are I 95 and the Turnpike.
The Ft. Lauderdale airport is 10 / 15 minutes away, as is Port Everglades and downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
The beaches are about 20 minutes away.
Miami is about 30 / 40 minutes away, depending on traffic.
Prices vary depending if the property is on a dry lot or on a canal with Ocean access.

 

Not sure on the timeframe, but check out Metropica. It is a big complex they are building at the Sawgrass Mills Mall. Not sure of prices, but at least you will be walking distance to shopping and restaurants. You will also be minutes from 595 and the Sawgrass.

 

Elaborate on high taxes for those who move there ...

 

"High taxes" are relative to what you are used to. We came from NY so virtually every tax we touched was MUCH cheaper. Property taxes are much less than most of the entire northeast (especially NY & NJ). But homesteading is a big help. This is the process of claiming FL as your primary residence. Once you do this, your property taxes can only increase 3% or rate of inflation whichever is less. Typical starting taxes are 1.8-2% of purchase price. Add in modest sales tax and no income taxes....cha ching!

 

I'm a principal in a Real Estate office locally and have tons of hungry realtors who will hunt for her. With that said, $250k may be possible if she can be open to exploring the area.

I'm messaging you my contact information.

 

Thanks for explanation ...