When shopping Ft Myers FL homes for sale one of the first questions is single family or Condominium?  For many the answer is simple.  One is clearly right and the other is wrong.  Families with young children for instance find the condominium situation to be very difficult.  For those, however, who are considering the pros and cons, the issue often arises that condominium fees are generally much higher that subdivision HOA fees.  First let me point out that in both cases the fees directly pay for benefits and services.  Generally they are controlled by a board of trustees comprised of members of the community who seek to provide the most benefit for the least money possible.  Condominium fees out of necessity cover a number of items which are generally not covered in subdivisions.  Each association is different but I will list the most common.

• Exterior building maintenance
• Insurance for the structure
• All grounds maintenance

Items that are common to both might be:

• Street lighting
• Common facilities maintenance (pools, work out facilities, playgrounds, etc.)
• Basic Cable Television

These fees vary dramatically from one development to another.  Generally they correspond directly with the amenities offered but other factors such as the size of the development have a very real impact.  When shopping Ft Myers FL Homes for sale my first advice is always to establish a budget which includes all of these items.  Next consider what level of amenities you will likely be able to afford and shop within those guidelines.  It is not uncommon to run across people that say that they want resort style amenities which commonly have a monthly price tag of $600.00 to $700.00 but who only have a total budget (including mortgage payment) of $1,000.00 per month.

Whenever buying a condominium, the sale is contingent upon review of the condominium documents.  Always review these carefully and pay particular attention to the operating statement and the roster of delinquent fees.  Current conditions have left many associations in difficult positions and you want to make sure that you are not buying into a nightmare scenario that will require assessments to be levied.  There are many developments out there that are viable and offer a carefree lifestyle.  This is an important part of the service we provide.  Our job is to present you with all the information which should help you to make informed, good decisions about the living situation that is right for you.

It is hard to evaluate the prices offered on bank owned foreclosure homes.  Some are extremely good deals  and others, not so much.  So what should you expect and what should you be on the look-out for?

Unless the home is part of a development where yard maintenance is included, landscaping is almost always destroyed due to lack of maintenance but more importantly from lack of water.  It is my experience that there is no inexpensive way to resolve this.  When Florida turf grasses and unwanted weeds such as nutsedge take over , they cannot be brought under control without completely killing all vegetation and following up with new sod.  Careful inspection of landscaping plantings is necessary to estimate what can be saved and what will need to be replaced.  This is an expense that is often overlooked since it is not necessary for move-in but must be considered when comparing it to other Fort Myers FL homes for sale that are not in foreclosure.  This is a substantial expense and your ability to fund it over and above your other expenses should be a serious consideration.

Next there is the structure itself.  First and foremost is the determination about whether the home has Chinese drywall.  Nothing can cause more distress than finding out the home you purchased has the dreaded Chinese drywall.  The first sign is a fowl odor (many compare it to rotten eggs).  Next, remove a switch or outlet and inspect the wire.  Homes that have Chinese drywall will corrode the exposed wire.  Easiest to inspect is the bare ground wire.  I have seen them corroded so badly that they look as if they have black insulation on them.

The next concern is mold.  While sophisticated air quality tests can be performed, a visual inspection is easy and should be done any time you view a home.  We all live with some mold.  Can any of us really say that we haven’t put off cleaning that shower a little too long and seen a bit of mold.  The problem comes in when water enters for any reason and circulation is not provided.  Many of these homes have had the power turned off so be extra cautious about mold exposure.

Last tip on how to buy foreclosure homes is overall condition.  For some this is not a concern since they enjoy painting and carpeting and making a home their own.  Others shutter to think about such undertakings to say nothing of the expense.  In the end most of these “bargain homes” require a great deal to bring them up to your own and subdivision standards.  They still can provide opportunity and value but before taking that big step consider the total picture and be sure that you go in with your eyes wide open.