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If you're looking at new construction in Wesley Chapel, the advertised price is almost never the real price. In this video, I break down what actually shows up on your closing statement and your tax bill once CDD fees, HOA dues, lot premiums, and upgrade costs get added in — and how the taxable value reset can push your first-year tax bill above what the builder quoted. We'll compare a real new-construction listing against a comparable resale home in Wesley Chapel side by side, so you can see exactly where new construction wins (systems, warranty, energy efficiency) and where resale wins (no CDD bond, established landscaping, immediate move-in). Topics covered: • What a CDD fee actually is, and why Wesley Chapel has so many • CDD vs. HOA — what each covers and how they stack • Lot premiums, "non-optional" upgrades, and builder incentive traps • How new construction affects your insurance and property taxes • New construction vs. resale: a direct cost comparison • Three questions to ask before you sign a contract Thinking of buying or selling a home in Greater Tampa? My team and I would love to help! 0:00 Introduction 1:36 What is a CDD Fee? (Hidden Taxes) 3:11 CDD vs. HOA: Knowing the Difference 4:15 The Reality of Owning a Resale Home 5:58 My Personal Home Maintenance Costs 6:56 Lot Premiums & Model Home Upgrades 8:55 HOA Capital Contributions (Closing Costs) 9:45 Builder Incentives & Rate Buy-Downs 10:48 New Construction as a 5-10 Year Investment 11:53 Florida Homeowners Insurance: New vs. Resale 12:37 Property Tax Assessments Explained 14:11 Side-by-Side Monthly Cost Comparison 15:47 Which One Is Right For You? 17:08 How We Can Help Your Tampa Move Visit https://livingintampafl.com/contact/ Email: info@livingintampafl.com Call/text: (727)677-5337 Sam Caudle is a licensed real estate agent with LPT Realty, LLC, license number SL3469890.
Is a beachfront condo or a boat-access waterfront home the right Tampa Bay fit for you? It's one of the biggest lifestyle decisions — and money decisions — buyers make, and the answer isn't "condos are cheaper" or "houses are better." It depends on how you actually want to live. In this video, I break down the real trade-offs so you can decide which lifestyle is yours: 🏖️ LIFESTYLE — Convenience vs. Control A condo is lock-and-leave. A waterfront home is total control — but it's on you. 💵 MONTHLY COSTS — The Full Picture I get into principal & interest, property taxes, HOA, condo insurance, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, dock and boat-lift upkeep, lawn and pool — because the "real number" is a lot more than the mortgage. 🏢 THE CONDO FINE PRINT HOA reserves, special assessments, rental restrictions, pet rules, renovation limits — the things that change your experience far more than the floor plan. ⛵ BOAT ACCESS — What Actually Matters Canal-front vs. open water, water depth, fixed bridges and bridge clearance, no-wake zones, seawall condition. A "waterfront" home isn't automatically a "boat-ready" home. 🔧 MAINTENANCE & RESPONSIBILITY Roof, exterior, seawall, pool, systems — and what happens when they age. I walk through two real property examples, give you a simple four-question test to know which side you're on, and close with my honest recommendation for different buyer types — including seasonal and second-home buyers. If you're weighing waterfront options in Tampa Bay and want help figuring out which one actually fits your life and budget, call, text, or email us anytime — we'd love to hear from you. Thinking of buying or selling a home in Greater Tampa? My team and I would love to help! 00:00 - Introduction 00:32 - Condo vs. Single Family Home: The Basics 01:34 - The Two Types of Waterfront Buyers 02:12 - Why Tampa is Unique for Beach Access 02:54 - Lifestyle Perks & Privacy Trade-offs 03:53 - Comparing Expenses & Mortgage Factors 04:22 - Understanding Condo HOA Fees & Rules of Thumb 05:05 - Do You Need Flood Insurance for a Condo? 06:01 - Waterfront Home Expenses: Taxes & Insurance 07:40 - Maintenance Realities: Seawalls & Docks 08:02 - Milestone Inspections & Recent Florida Law Changes 09:18 - Rental & Guest Restrictions in Condos 10:02 - Finding the Right Water Depth for Your Boat 12:08 - The Verdict: Who Should Buy Each? 13:00 - 4 Questions to Ask Before You Buy Visit https://livingintampafl.com/contact/ Email: info@livingintampafl.com Call/text: (727)677-5337 Sam Caudle is a licensed real estate agent with LPT Realty, LLC, license number SL3469890.
Retiring in Florida? Tampa Bay is one of the most popular landing spots for retirees — but the reasons people move here (and what it actually costs) aren't always what you'd expect. 00:00 Introduction 00:22 The Financial Case: No State Income Tax 01:09 Homestead Exemption & Save Our Homes Cap 02:04 Housing Costs & HOA Fees 03:13 The Insurance Shock: Real Examples 04:02 Healthcare & Medical Destinations 05:01 55+ Towns vs. Age-Restricted Neighborhoods 06:54 Condo Living on the Beach 07:33 Normal Neighborhoods & Walkable Towns 08:48 Snowbirding in Tampa Bay 09:26 Why People Keep Choosing Tampa In this video, I break down the real numbers on retiring in Tampa Bay: 💰 THE FINANCIAL PICTURE • No state income tax — can save $10K–$20K/year if you're coming from a high-tax state like NY, IL, or CA • Homestead Exemption — $50K off your home's assessed value • Save Our Homes cap — limits assessed value growth to 3%/year (or CPI, whichever is lower) • Home prices for a nice retirement home: $400K–$600K (more affordable options exist, like Sun City Center) • Home insurance: budget $4,000–$7,000+/year — this is the number most people underestimate 🏥 HEALTHCARE Tampa Bay has some of the strongest healthcare access in Florida — Tampa General, Moffitt Cancer Center, BayCare, and AdventHealth all offer specialist care you won't find in smaller FL markets. 🏘️ WHERE TO RETIRE — 4 LIFESTYLE OPTIONS • 55+ Town (Sun City Center) — golf carts, activities, never have to drive • 55+ Neighborhood — age-restricted, clubhouse, more independence • 55+ Building/Condo — no maintenance, walkable, waterfront • Regular Neighborhood (Dunedin, Palm Harbor, South Tampa) — retiree-friendly but not age-restricted, more flexibility ⚠️ THE HONEST CHALLENGES Summer heat (low-to-mid 90s, humid, May–Oct), hurricane prep, and traffic on I-275 and US-19 — I'm not going to sugarcoat these. We work with a lot of retirees making this exact move and can help you figure out which area actually fits your lifestyle and budget. Call, text, or email anytime — we'd love to hear from you. Thinking of buying or selling a home in Greater Tampa? My team and I would love to help! Visit https://livingintampafl.com/contact/ Email: info@livingintampafl.com Call/text: (727)677-5337 Sam Caudle is a licensed real estate agent with LPT Realty, LLC, license number SL3469890.
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