Ft. Lauderdale Property

buzzk

Member
Joined
Feb 5, 2006
RO Number
20162
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44
I've been looking at property in Ft. Lauderdale for some time. It's coming down to where we can afford it. We're coming down to look at property at the end of the month. We are looking at condos on SE 15th St. because of the convenience of the location. It would be a second home for us. Can anyone famillar with the area give me some of the pros and cons. Thanks
 
We have had our place in Pompano Beach for a few years and use it as a second home during the winter months.

The pros are many. Convenience to the airport, proximity to the beach, lots of places to eat, etc.

While I am not intimately familiar with that specific area, be careful which building you buy in. You will want to know how many units are for sale, in default and or foreclosure.

A useful tool is www.bocaagency.com. It is a real estate web site that will allow you to look at the units on multiple listing by building or complex.
 
If you are going to boat there, you are going to pay through the nose for insurance if you can get it at all. Ditto home insurance. You don't need to speak Spanish to live there, but it helps. If it applies, no personal property tax so you can register your cars there like the snowbirds in R.I. Florida ranks 16th from the top in cost of living. I think it's a state law that if you are a female that when seated in a Caddy or a Lincoln, your head cannot extend above the steering wheel and your hair must be died blue.

Other than that, it's a great place. ;)
 
David, I think you are speaking in generalities and obviously without personal knowledge. I've never had a problem with either boat, car or house insurance. My 3,000 SF house sits on a canal 1/4 mile from the ICW and 3/4 mile from the beach. I'm not in a flood zone but purchased a policy after the what I saw in New Orleans. My 13' Whaler is on a lift behind the house and is covered under my homeowners policy, my 2 Merecedes(sedan and SUV)cars, the house and 36' Trawler (also at my dock) are all covered by a single carrier (USAA). As a matter of fact I do not know anyone who has not able to obtain any form of insurance. Some companies have pulled out over the years but others have picked up the slack as well as a State Program if a resident looses coverage. My company does not require that my boats be pulled for storms but they will pay if I elect to do so. Many marina's however will not pull boats because of potential collective libilities. I've lived in Florida for over 35 years. One of the quirks is that my insurance company will not insure a second / vacation home if I wanted to purchase one here in Florida.
 
John, does USAA write Wind/Hail coverage where you are?
 
Thanks guys. I'm not as worried about boat insurance. I have a 33' but will probably never bring it down. I'm thinking I'll just leave an outboard boat in dry storage in Florida and if I ever did bring my other boat down it would be in the winter. Buzz
 
In my recent insurance inquires to USAA for boat insurance they quoted me $3600 more for the same boat if it is slipped from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami. Boats U.S. was almost double at just under $5k more.
 
Buzz, tried to PM you but I see you're not anchored. Please email me at rubrailsrb2@gr5tbellsouth.net. I know of a property you might be interested in.
Alan
 
Buzz, tried to PM you but I see you're not anchored. Please email me at rubrails at bellsouth.net. I know of a property you might be interested in.
Alan
 
When I was in Ft Lauderdale last December we were talking to a resident/owner of a condo just across the river from downtown. The prices he was quoting for a unit were really reasonable.

John Coffey, is USAA insuring your boat or are they just being the front for another company? I went through USAA, but they actually used Progressive as the insurer. I even pay Progressive directly. USAA quit insuring multiple properties 3 or 4 years ago. I now have to insure my rental properties through another company. This is the fault of the state of Florida policies.

George
 
USAA is insuring my boat themselves. They had me with Merkel at one time and that rate was higher.

I have wind, hail, flood all through USAA.
 
quote:

Originally posted by Flatsflyer

USAA is insuring my boat themselves. They had me with Merkel at one time and that rate was higher.

I have wind, hail, flood all through USAA.






That is interesting. I will have to check with them and see if there has been a change in policy. I was told that if the boat value is over $50,000 they do not insure inhouse.

George
 
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