Then and now

Real Estate like everything else has changed due to the internet. I was looking at a 'home flier' and I could not find an address for the realtor anywhere.

Sure enough, when Sherry called, the lady asked, what city?  I am learning more and more that folks like this lady is actually routing calls. She says, "I will have Kathi  get in touch with you." I am sure she has a list of local realtors in different cities and towns. 

Kathi called, then sent us a list of houses available in the Deltona area.  On our first trip, we preferred to drive around and see if the area appealed to us, and look at some houses I found on the net. We have only driven thru Deltona in I-4, never did any local driving.  WE do like the area.

(Pictures are our picks out of the suggestions by Kathi)

(Cute 2 BR 1 BA This doesn't appear to be a fixer upper, we like it, $54,000) Kathi is with her mother this weekend but will check on the houses we selected from the list.

Lisa touched on a subject  everyone is familiar with, TAXES.  Florida does have a good 'Homestead Exemption' Law. A Reader's Digest version is:

(This one works also, 2BR 1 BA, also a large lot $57,000)

Say your house appraises for $85K, if you are living in Florida full time, or 'homesteading', the first $25k is not taxed.  The second $25K is non taxable except for education taxes.  The final $10 k is taxable.  Yep, nothing simple in TAXES,

For example, the last time we bought ($80K value) the first year the taxes were  $850,  the second year with the homestead exemption they dropped below $500.  

Also Florida has no personal income tax nor auto inspections. As a traveler I like that.  (In the past few years studies have proven that inspections do not lower accidents or traffic deaths.) Florida did have some very stringent inspection rules. 

(2BR 2BA + Garage. Palm trees left and right prevent the Motor home from getting past the house, that hurts.$69,900)

You pay a sales tax when buying a car here, but you do not pay taxes on it yearly. The car tag, is $30. MH tag is about $60.  In NC the tax on the MH alone was over $500.

I am very pleased with the Florida DMV service. In NC, where I was raised, the DMV was the PITS. Many times I was sent away to fix something or get something I forgot. The attitude honestly was nasty (I hope it has changed!) Florida? The most pleasant experience. I don't care about my Driver's license pic, but they will shoot it as many times as you want, with a smile!  Problems with getting a tag, I have had none, but folks who have, the problems were worked out with a SMILE.

I have used the Florida DMV in 4 different towns, all were nice.

Nite Shipslog

PS: We are getting anxious ot find 'that home'.