About ron derenzo Expertise Our family moved to Tampa in 1994 and loved the town ever since. We have children who attend public schools and love them. We started a club called TEAM 813 (our area code) to promote social and community events. We enjoy every aspect of the Tampa community
Experience I work in the Financial Services Industry and have worked with relocating families from other parts of the world to Tampa.
Organizations Team 813 Founding Member
Habitat for Humanity Team Captain
Chrissy and Friends (Epilepsy Service for Teens)
Kiangs Service Fraternity Founding Member
Expert: ron derenzo Date: 10/13/2003 Subject: Florida Real Estate
Question My husband and I are planning to retire in Florida. I have just retired this year at age 57 after a teaching career in Ohio. In Florida, I would like to continue teaching, either full time or part time.
My husband has been a realtor in Ohio for the last 29 years. We would like to go to Florida and purchase a property this year so that we can take advantage of the warm weather and of not having to pay the very high state tax in Ohio. It is our understanding that we have to have a property by January 1 of 2004 and that we have to live there six months and a day.
What does my husband have to do in order to continue his real estate license in Florida? He would like to continue to be a realtor there and have access to your multiple listing services.
We would like to purchase an investment property and have it close by January 1 and live and travel throughout Florida January through March so that we can determine where we would like to establish permanent residence.
Do you have a suggestion for our first purchase this fall? We would like to make a purchase of something that will be a good investment in an area that is not presently expensive, but may be up and coming. We are pretty much open for the whole West coast or possibly Saint Augustine on the East. More likely, we would choose the West. We also like college areas. But, unfortunately we will have to do this quickly because we will not be able to stay down there very much more than two weeks this fall. We would like this to be a good investment, but also a place that will give us an address for January 1 so that we can start to become a resident January 1.
I would appreciate any answers to any of these questions that you could offer. I realize that some of these questions are not in your area of expertise, but I am not sure where to look. We have been a tourist in Florida a few times, but are not familiar with it as a resident.
Also, if I have not been clear, please feel free to ask for clarification.
Thank you,
Judy
Answer I have several friends in the real estate business if you are interested. They are all over the West Coast of Florida. I think you would be rather happy looking at land in the counties which surround Tampa. Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas are lovely. As far as a retirment location, check out Dade City. It gets high grades from Retirement Magazine. Check the web site www.TBO.com for Tampa and surrounding areas.
If you are looking for something south, there is always Naples, Sarasota, Ft. Meyers. And naturally, you have the east coast which has it hot spots.
We are partial to the west coast and enjoy the Tampa area and its surrounding beach front communitites.
If you want the contacts from my circle of friends (real estate) send me a seperate email and I'll forward their information.
Thanks and Happy House Hunting..... YOU WILL LOVE FLA>
