Chicago car guy moving to Central FL?

[John_Mc]

Guys, my wife are looking to move within about 100 miles of Orlando.  Besides typical agents and Hemming's, anyone have a way to find what we are looking for??  A 3 bedroom ranch with either a greatly enlarged garage or availability for an outbuilding?  Also, we don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.  Seems there a thousands of homes in sub-divisions that all have the same footprint.  I'll need room/shop for about 4-5 toy cars.  Any help would be appreciated. 

[John348]

Sent you a PM

[Harold]

Beware of communities with a Homeowners' Association (HOA).  Some of the fine-print in their by-laws is very anti-car!

[Paul Dobbin]

Try CarProperty.com and write to the AACA Regions in the areas you are considering and put a wanted ad

in their newsletters.

We all fight the battle of enough garage space, there are many solutions, but a problem getting Realtors to

agree there is a real demand.  Florida is full of aging car guys thinking of down sizing and they may respond

to your needs.  I sold our Florida  5 car garage home to people who had no idea what to do with it..  I would

have responded to your want ad.

Edited June 23, 2019 by Paul Dobbin (see edit history)

[Xander Wildeisen]

20 minutes ago, Harold said:

Beware of communities with a Homeowners' Association (HOA).  Some of the fine-print in their by-laws is very anti-car!

A lot of stuff can be hidden in those CC&R's. And it can tie into other things going on around the communities in question. If you move just outside the city limits, a copy of the city comp plan might be a good read as well.  

[JACK M]

The very first thing to as is to see the CCRs even before seeing the property.

Before I started my build I was shopping for just what you are looking for up here in Oregon.

I found a great place where a farmer had split off some 10 acre lots year ago, they were all built on by now and I struck a deal on a place with a lot of storage and space.

There was no mention of any restrictions, as this was way out in the country.

But when the day came to close the deal the realtor handed me a stack of stuff to review and there it was.

I was limited to three goats, OR four llamas, no pigs, up to four horses but no cattle, cant park a boat or camper outside...…..WHAAAT????

You cant even see any of the neighbors places,

Turns out the farmers realtor that helped him split up his land suggested this to keep guys like me from moving out there.

Talk about a disappointed seller, He had no idea that there was any restrictions, he just liked living out in the country.

All of the neighbors suggested that I could most likely live as I liked out there, just do it, even the farmer said there should be no problems.

So, I told the seller that if all the neighbors and the farmer would agree to lift ALL restrictions. In other words remove all the CCRs from all of the deeds I would move forward.

The farmers son who lived about a mile away and would not agree (blamed it on his wife of coarse).

Done deal gone bad.

[Xander Wildeisen]

CC&R's do not do you much good when they are just one of the pieces of information you need to make an informed decision, in your due diligence period. Where I used to live a person would need to look at a few sources of information, or hope that other people would share what knowledge was gathered by people who were on committees before them.  

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by Xander Wildeisen (see edit history)

[edinmass]

In the northeast, they use deed restrictions. When I bought my land, I purchased all my other neighbors deed restrictions for an additional 10k. The person holding them was moving south permanently. It was interesting when the neighbor across the street was starting to install a large solar array without knowing about the restrictions or who owned them. I didn’t want to look at a field of glass across the street from mine, even though my driveway is 1000 feet long. They didn’t care because from their home, the hill made the glass impossible to see. Long story short......they thought they would try and jam me up...........they said sue me. Having been involved in real estate for years, I informed their mortgage lender, I would be the new first lean holder on the property. They immediately told them they were calling the mortgage. Problem solved. Lesson.......you need to understand EVERY property that is an abutting or you can end up with problems. Example.......your property’s restrictions may be recorded on the neighboring deed. Yup, in Massachusetts you can place the restrictions on the deed from where the subdivision took place. The term is called “due diligence”, and  let me assure you, your lawyer isn’t looking as hard as he or she should. Most closings are just fifty pages of sign this, and nothing get read. Think about it, for a 790-1200 dollar closing, you think an attorney is going to read and understand all that BS? Nope. Most people move only one or two times into a home. Learn everything about the town, bi laws, homeowners association, Ext. Trust me, it’s hard and time consuming work. I have been renting in my new city for 18 months to figure out everything.........money I hate to spend, but with house prices in the 500 plus category.......a mistake is very costly. My new area is a historic district...........I do NOT recommend anyone make a similar purchase without a long time local representative. Moving a fifty year old shed ten feet can cost tens of thousands of dollars, or the answer may be.......no, you can’t move it. You also can’t take it down. Strange world we live in.

 

PS- now that I am selling my home,  I have offered the restrictions (all 12) to each property owner for between three and seven thousand dollars. All have expressed interest in purchasing them. Nice windfall profit after twenty years.

Edited June 23, 2019 by edinmass (see edit history)

[John Murphy]

I have a home you might be interested in. It is a 3 bedroom, 2/2 bath with 3 car attached garage, a 4 car garage and a 60 x40 metal workshop in the back sitting on 12 acres in nw Ocala. I am a LZOC long time member with two early continentals and 2 early Zephyrs in residence. The total car capacity is 11 cars...three in attached garage, 4 car detached garage and a four car metal garage/workshop and office . Surrounding homes are primarily 3 and 12 acre homes. This might fit your needs. Available now.  Email if you might be interested 

 

John Murphy LCOC, LZOC, AACA since 1975

[John_S_in_Penna]

3 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said:

Florida is full of aging car guys thinking of down sizing and they may respond to your needs. 

 

I hope so.  However, AACA past president Earl Beauchamp

(Dynaflash8 on our forum) paints a different picture of where

he lives in Florida.  He says there is no AACA region anywhere close to

him, and the shows are full of street rods.  The roads are busy and

aren't the scenic country roads that encourage getting out the old cars.

It sounds as if he very much regrets moving to Florida, at least as far as

enjoying his hobby is concerned.

 

So check the activity of the AACA region in the area.  Maybe Ocala is

better, because the region near there has hosted national meets

recently, and Jim and Rick Schmidt (active parts suppliers) have 

their big collection there.

 

 

[Spinneyhill]

From what @edinmass is saying, I am glad we have the system of land title we do. All memorials affecting a property are on the title, including mortgages and other financial interests of other parties, rights of way and covenants. A neighbour's title is not relevant. Town plans and zones are relevant of course. Even designations for future road corridors are searchable. The deed system was ditched in 1870 in favour of the Torrens system.

 

Restrictions such as those discussed above are registered on the title in covenants. The property over the road has a covenant on the height of the wind break trees. It was placed by the owner of the property above, but to do that, he bought the property, put on the covenant and sold the property again.

[Trulyvintage]

Oh Give Me A Home .....

 

Where The Buffalo Roam .....

 

And The Neighbors Leave Me Alone .....

 

Where Seldom Is Heard .....

 

” Your Old Car Looks Like A Turd “ ......

 

 

Jim

[plymouthcranbrook]

Take me with you, I can have the Plymouth packed in a day!

[CarNucopia]

The Realtor app is pretty good. You can select the geography and other screening criteria like garage size or lot size. 

[auburnseeker]

Sounds dumb,  but I wouldn't rule out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.  Often people go there when they are kind of interested in selling but haven't quite made the final decision as they aren't in a contract.  We bought our home by word of mouth.  It wasn't listed yet and the owner was just getting around to thinking about selling it.  Also save the realtor fees which means we got it for less because the seller would have stacked them on his asking price so they didn't come out of his pocket. 

I leave no stones unturned when looking for something.  Car, real estate, Equipment , etc. 

 

I also don't put alot of faith in realtors finding you what you are looking for.  I told a few different realtors,  what my budget was, what I was looking for,  and the must haves,  which were a very short list and somewhat flexible.  They sent me a couple of suggestions which really offered none of the must haves and that was it.  This was in an area where houses we were looking at could need work but I really would like an existing shop structure even if it needed work within a 20 square mile area and a budget of max 375.  Many properties were priced under that and sometimes 100g or more less. I found several on my own that had potential.  None of which were suggested by the realtors but were even in their systems.  

Goes back to if you want something done right,  you need to do it yourself.  Also sold both my houses on my own after the realtors couldn't.  

[John348]

10 hours ago, John Murphy said:

I have a home you might be interested in. It is a 3 bedroom, 2/2 bath with 3 car attached garage, a 4 car garage and a 60 x40 metal workshop in the back sitting on 12 acres in nw Ocala. I am a LZOC long time member with two early continentals and 2 early Zephyrs in residence. The total car capacity is 11 cars...three in attached garage, 4 car detached garage and a four car metal garage/workshop and office . Surrounding homes are primarily 3 and 12 acre homes. This might fit your needs. Available now.  Email if you might be interested 

 

John Murphy LCOC, LZOC, AACA since 1975

 

I have a place in Ocala as well, very car friendly. I off of airport road

[Fleek]

Ocala is a great location. We have been here 13 years and find it very old car friendly.  Even though I do not have an older car at the moment I do go to several good shows in the area. Just a short hop to Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville. I live on the east side close to Silver Springs. Check with some of the horse ranch realtors for a good property also.

[auburnseeker]

It might be easier to find a Horse farm if you don't mind a little rehab to get the barn the way you want it,  but most are metal buildings so it's not like rehabbing a 200 year old wood barn. 

[Paul Dobbin]

18 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

I hope so.  However, AACA past president Earl Beauchamp

(Dynaflash8 on our forum) paints a different picture of where

he lives in Florida.  He says there is no AACA region anywhere close to

him, and the shows are full of street rods.  The roads are busy and

aren't the scenic country roads that encourage getting out the old cars.

It sounds as if he very much regrets moving to Florida, at least as far as

enjoying his hobby is concerned.

 

So check the activity of the AACA region in the area.  Maybe Ocala is

better, because the region near there has hosted national meets

recently, and Jim and Rick Schmidt (active parts suppliers) have 

their big collection there.

 

 

  Earl moved to Sebring FL where swamps and solitude are the big attractions.   There are big active AACA Regions in Sarasota, Tampa,

  Lakeland, Orlando, Dade City and Pinellas County's non- AACA PinMAR, all close enough for Earl to get to functions and closer than Ocala.

  Florida's west coast is full of antique car guys from Naples to Tallahassee.  Yes there are plenty of Streetrods, but many if us have both.

  I have one Resto-Mod and 5 Antique cars and have belonged to the Pin-MAR Club in St. Pete,/Clearwater for 47 years. .  

[John_Mc]

22 hours ago, Harold said:

Beware of communities with a Homeowners' Association (HOA).  Some of the fine-print in their by-laws is very anti-car!

Thanks and that's exactly what I'm concerned about!

[DAVE A]

John;

       We retired a year and a half ago from Pa. to Palm Bay.  We are a few minutes from rte 95, just off the Atlantic /Coast and the Indian River.  The Grant Valkaria area is probably what you are looking for.  The Cape Canaveral Region (which we joined) is just North of us and the Vero/Indian River Region just south.  A fantastic car culture down here!!.  The big problem is that property here moves fast.  Don't take too much time making up your mind or it will be gone!!  If I can aid you in your search in this area, feel free to contact me.  Happy to help!!

                                         Dave Anspach

[John_Mc]

22 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said:

Try CarProperty.com and write to the AACA Regions in the areas you are considering and put a wanted ad

in their newsletters.

We all fight the battle of enough garage space, there are many solutions, but a problem getting Realtors to

agree there is a real demand.  Florida is full of aging car guys thinking of down sizing and they may respond

to your needs.  I sold our Florida  5 car garage home to people who had no idea what to do with it..  I would

have responded to your want ad.

That is a GREAT idea and I will do just that, thanks!

 

[John_Mc]

19 hours ago, John Murphy said:

I have a home you might be interested in. It is a 3 bedroom, 2/2 bath with 3 car attached garage, a 4 car garage and a 60 x40 metal workshop in the back sitting on 12 acres in nw Ocala. I am a LZOC long time member with two early continentals and 2 early Zephyrs in residence. The total car capacity is 11 cars...three in attached garage, 4 car detached garage and a four car metal garage/workshop and office . Surrounding homes are primarily 3 and 12 acre homes. This might fit your needs. Available now.  Email if you might be interested 

 

John Murphy LCOC, LZOC, AACA since 1975

John, I just sent you a PM

[John_Mc]

21 hours ago, JACK M said:

The very first thing to as is to see the CCRs even before seeing the property.

Before I started my build I was shopping for just what you are looking for up here in Oregon.

I found a great place where a farmer had split off some 10 acre lots year ago, they were all built on by now and I struck a deal on a place with a lot of storage and space.

There was no mention of any restrictions, as this was way out in the country.

But when the day came to close the deal the realtor handed me a stack of stuff to review and there it was.

I was limited to three goats, OR four llamas, no pigs, up to four horses but no cattle, cant park a boat or camper outside...…..WHAAAT????

You cant even see any of the neighbors places,

Turns out the farmers realtor that helped him split up his land suggested this to keep guys like me from moving out there.

Talk about a disappointed seller, He had no idea that there was any restrictions, he just liked living out in the country.

All of the neighbors suggested that I could most likely live as I liked out there, just do it, even the farmer said there should be no problems.

So, I told the seller that if all the neighbors and the farmer would agree to lift ALL restrictions. In other words remove all the CCRs from all of the deeds I would move forward.

The farmers son who lived about a mile away and would not agree (blamed it on his wife of coarse).

Done deal gone bad.

What a nightmare!  Thanks, good thoughts and we will do our homework.

[John_Mc]

15 hours ago, plymouthcranbrook said:

Take me with you, I can have the Plymouth packed in a day!

HA, yes isn't living in the Land of Lincoln wonderful????  We can't wait to get the hell out of here.  Cook County has destroyed this state.

[John348]

I have an HMO where I am in Ocala, only $75 a year your allowed to have buildings and such on the property, but they want everything looking nice, nothing wrong with that

[padgett]

When I moved to Orlando, wife's prime requirements were sidewalks and good schools. Wound up having a home built offset on a big lot to make room. When interest rates dropped from 12+% to 7% had the back garage I'd planned all along built. HOA had no problem since I had designed for minimum street visibility and got their approval first. House being raised above street and having a "native Florida" back yard helped. Much later turned a "Florida room" at the back of the house into space for another car (had planned the room that way when was built). Then when had the ravel trailer had a 10x25" pad laid down in back in "grotto" all with proper permits and approvals.

 

Live about a sober crow mile west of Universal Studios (was here first). Point is that everything was designed for minimum street and neighbor visibility so have never had an issue. It can be done.

 

Major recommendation: live far from I-4  and avoid if at all possible. Clermont is a really nice & convenient town that has most amenities & just a few miles west of O'town on the turnpike in the hill country and once the 429 bypass is complete there will be more alternatives.

 

"The Clermont area lies on the northern part of the Lake Wales Ridge. There are rolling hills atypical of the Florida peninsula" - I am very tempted to move there if I found the right property but moving would be difficult since what I have here would be hard to duplicate.

Edited June 24, 2019 by padgett (see edit history)

[plymouthcranbrook]

8 hours ago, John_Mc said:

HA, yes isn't living in the Land of Lincoln wonderful????  We can't wait to get the hell out of here.  Cook County has destroyed this state.

I am extremely envious!!!!!

[Robert Street]

I did a different approach on a recent build in the Boca Raton area. Checked many properties then built on chosen one. I am not sure what to do with the shop and cars up in Maryland. I am hoping to eventually find something somewhat inland away from the coastal housing bubble.  I have decided to sell one of the 409 cars.  

A close region isn’t a priority for me just leaving Maryland is.

Robert

[padgett]

BTW I grew up on the east coast. Within five miles of the coast salt in the air caused a lot of upper body rust. Part of reason I chose the middle of the state to live.

[Robert Street]

33 minutes ago, padgett said:

BTW I grew up on the east coast. Within five miles of the coast salt in the air caused a lot of upper body rust. Part of reason I chose the middle of the state to live.

 

Yes same up here in coastal Maryland  also was rough on early “computer” controlled cars of the 70’s

robert

[Dynaflash8]

Trust me, if it is 100 miles south central of Orlando you'll be forever unhappy with the choice if you like old, mostly original cars.  This is the absolute end of the world.  If you want a 2000+ house with a six car garage and a carport, I'd be happy to sell you mine.  This place (Sebring) was the worst choice of my life (if you like old cars in stead of golf or TV.).  Nobody else around here agrees with me, but nobody else has three pre-war cars, one modern antique, two modern cars, a Suburban to haul with and a closed trailer (they are all on my property which is 85x185).  I added on to this house in 2007 because there was no place to buy with the garages.  There was an semi-inactive AACA Region here then, but its since died.  All we have now is cruise-ins full of modifieds....I don't normally go.  There is a WalMart, Lowes, Home Depot nearby, plenty of stores.  Have never found a GP I liked in 18 years, but an array of good specialists and a big hospital.  We are 100 miles from Vero Beach and 80 miles from Sarasota (where there is a first class restoration shop).  Zero activity for an old car lover closer than The Villages or Miami or Melbourne. I've been trying to figure out how to move back to Virginia for years.  Two houses is too expensive.....tried that twice.  If you ever come down US-27 south of I-4 watch out for six photo traffic lights in Haynes City ($162 a pop so don't ever follow a semi-truck).  Here is what is good about Florida.....no state income tax.  Here's how they make it up....very high auto and home insurance by comparison to Virginia, lots of rain in the summer.  There is a great AACA Region in Lake City, way up north Florida, but they always depends on one or two people's strength.  Why haven't I sold out?  Too much stuff, too old to move it and put it back up in another house.  Write me and I'll tell you all you want to know about 100 miles south of Orlando in central Florida.  Would I sell out?  Yeah, if approached.  I'd find some way to do it.  Allied will do everything but take the pictures off the wall....$14,000 to Lake City/Live Oak, FL; $18,500 to Montross, VA.

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)

[Dynaflash8]

22 hours ago, Paul Dobbin said:

Earl moved to Sebring FL where swamps and solitude are the big attractions.   There are big active AACA Regions in Sarasota, Tampa,

  Lakeland, Orlando, Dade City and Pinellas County's non- AACA PinMAR, all close enough for Earl to get to functions and closer than Ocala.

  Florida's west coast is full of antique car guys from Naples to Tallahassee.  Yes there are plenty of Streetrods, but many if us have both.

  I have one Resto-Mod and 5 Antique cars and have belonged to the Pin-MAR Club in St. Pete,/Clearwater for 47 years. .  

C'mon Paul Dobbin, you don't know what you're talking about.  The only swamp anywhere around here is the Highland's County State Park.  There are loads of beautiful Lakes where retirees love to go fishing, and beautiful golf courses for those so inclined.  Just nothing that I like to do like country dance.  There is a big modern hospital, but not with all abilities.  For a heart valve replacement next week, I have to go to Orlando.  The AACA Region in Lakeland is defunct.  Those other Regions are too far away and I've never heard of a couple.  Ever try to drive cross country on a two land road with tractor trailers on your tail in a pre-WWII car?  Melbourne is active, but US-60 is two lane across the swamps with island passing lanes here and there and no shoulders.  The Region in Ocala (actually Leesburg) is 85 miles away straight up congested US-27.  I think the one sponsoring the show is actually closer to Gainesville.  US-27 is totally built up and congested now between I-4 and Clermont.  Miami is one of the best AACA Clubs in the state, but its 155 south and actually the easiest one to get to (I'm a member if we could both ever get well enough to attend stuff).  Sarasota is easy to get to but I don't hear anything they do.  The club in Tampa is active but also too hard to get to over truck-packed two lane roads.  All roads east and west are that way.  You moved out of Florida for some reason.  Home insurance on both coasts have gotten unaffordable, so that leaves Ocala, Leesburg and Sebring.

If I could, I'd go back to the Virginia Northern Neck where I ran the first ever Sentimental Tour in 2001, and you were there.  That was the happiest I've ever been.  I was also happy as a kid in Arlington, VA. Man, has that place changed.  I worked and lived in Maryland for 31 years.  At least there was a great AACA Region in Baltimore.  That's about all I can say about Maryland, but thee were at least things to do.  Sebring would be fined and okay if I wasn't into antique cars and was satisfied to be retired and sit around the house.  I don''t do fishing (anymore) or golf (never).

[ted sweet]

worst part is no car activity late may to late september because its too hot

[padgett]

I resemble that remark. Sebring does get exciting in March (used to be a member of the ARCF). Personally chose Orlando back in the 80s because is a major crossroads (I-4 and the Turnpike) and need to be 20 minutes from a world class airport. Don't now.

 

Besides Florida is not that hot, 100F is a rare occasion, it is the humidity that wilts Yankees. True, this time of the year most of my garage work is done between 10pm and 4 am & being able to open up both ends of the back garage with big fans really helps. Also have A Lot of lights.

 

Frankly I have always preferred to live in or near a resort. For someone moving here today, I would highly recommend Clermont (have no property there, wish I did). In the day it is usually about 5 degrees cooler than O'town. No swamps. Any more if have a desire for the beach, St. Armand's circle is a shopper's paradise but I prefer Cedar Key - is as I remember Key West. Also within an hour's drive you have Daytona and Gainesville (GatorNationals). Sebring is two hours south. Also several big U-Pick-It yards to just wander.

 

Point I am making is that the Orlando area is really the crossroads of Florida. While it is useful to understand Spanish, it is far enough north that you do not have to. Rarely freezes so instead of December, January, February our winter is 1/2 June, July, August, 1/2 September (utility bills go up and you do not go outside unless you must). The only perfect weather I know of is Santa Monica and too many people have discovered that.

 

I do not like places that are "thickly settled" and prefer all of the uninhabited miles of Florida. Between Orlando metro and Ft. Pierce is over 100 miles. The turnpike (only road) has two plazas and one exit (Yehaw Junction).

 

One final note: the state capital is in Tallahassee. We keep the politicians as far from anything useful as possible.

 

ps for those who think nothing car related happens in summer, see here and here.

 

Edited June 25, 2019 by padgett (see edit history)

[Robert G. Smits]

Nobody has mentioned the real reasons not to live in Florida, HURRICANES and INSURANCE.  Before you buy check the hurricane activity in your area for the last 50 years and know that  you will probably be hit in the next 20.  We lived in the Panhandle from 2000 to 2008 and evacuated five times and stayed for three more Cat 2 hurricanes. After we left there wasn't any activity for 10 years and then along came Michael in 2018.   USAA and other major companies wouldn't even talk to us.  All of our policies were backed by a "state pool" with a extremely high deductible and we had to have three policies, general liability, wind and water.   When we had roof damage the adjuster came out and counted the damaged shingles and would only pay for the damaged ones which did not meet our deductible.  We paid 100% for a new metal roof.  Google Mexico Beach Florida to see what CAN happen  Google NAOO Historical Hurricane Tracking to see the history in the area you are looking at.  Fortunately I sold my warehouse in Panama City eight months before it was destroyed by Michael.  There are other no- tax states other than Florida.  In all of them except Florida you will be safe as long as you live 100 miles from the coast.  Having lived in Texas since 2008 there is car activity all over the place.  I wouldn't move back to Florida if someone gave me the property.  Sorry to all my Florida friends but these are things any car person should consider and then make their own decision.  When we were moving to Florida no one mentioned Hurricanes.  

 

[padgett]

'Nother reason I live far from the coast. Have been through a lot of hurricanes since family moved to south Florida in 1957. In 35 years owning a home in Orlando I've lost two shingles following a major storm (found in yard, nailed back on...). Being protected by towering native vegetation also cuts wind speed waaaay down. OTOH the media loves hype and often ignores just how big Florida is (almost 900 road miles end to end and has two time zones.

 

BTW I have this nut theory that all of the millions of people who have moved to Florida (metro Orlando has tripled since I've been here) with AC in homes and vehicles have created an artificial high pressure area over the state. With a few aberrations, storms go up one coast or the other and hit the mainland square in the northwest (e.g. panhandle, Mississippi, Louisiana) or northeast (Carolinas, Virginia) and major damage is to the coastal areas, by the time they get 50 miles inland they have dissipated a lot. Only had two that affected me and both were after the storm passed: Michael (lost power. When I was growing up most had generators and so do I) and Irma (my phone & I'net provider went down for two weeks, have since changed providers. Was good my cell phone is with someone else.) 

 

OTOH we do not have earthquakes (hard to shake sand) or F5 tornados (do have a lot of waterspouts but mainly offshore), or floods (sand again), and ACs work best with humid air. Have seen it snow twice (1957 and 1986) but did not stick.

 

But then  please stay away unless visiting as a tourist with disposable income. We have enough residents (see "avoid I-4"). Go to Texas instead, particularly Galveston or Amarillo.

Edited June 25, 2019 by padgett (see edit history)

[GARY F]

Did you look at NorthPort Fla. My daughter and family live in N.P.Estates. 3 acres, no HOA, do what you want there. 

[padgett]

North Port is close to Sarasota which is a great place if you want to go to the Beach or shop at St. Armand's. About 120 miles from Orlando.

[John348]

On 6/23/2019 at 10:59 AM, John_Mc said:

Guys, my wife are looking to move within about 100 miles of Orlando.  Besides typical agents and Hemming's, anyone have a way to find what we are looking for??  A 3 bedroom ranch with either a greatly enlarged garage or availability for an outbuilding?  Also, we don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere.  Seems there a thousands of homes in sub-divisions that all have the same footprint.  I'll need room/shop for about 4-5 toy cars.  Any help would be appreciated. 

 

Hey John,

Have you and the wife been to central Florida this time of year? It is pretty hot and sticky! While there are many 90 degree plus days in the north, the difference is it is 93 degrees and 90% humidity at 6:30 AM, but you don't have to shovel heat, and don't slip on it either! but it is HOT!