Hurricanes and Vacation Homes

[Stmar]

My wife and I both have family in Florida so we go there when we can to visit. The last few times we spent some time looking at areas with the idea of maybe buying a property to either move to or as a second home. Something kept getting in the way; either one of us did not like the house, location, price, etc. or one we liked got sold. Then hurricane Hermine came through last year and flooded places that had never flooded, Crystal River had feet of water in the streets, guys were kayaking down the highway. Then this massive storm devastates most of the state, our relatives were lucky in Orlando and north Florida. I guess that little voice that kept us from making a move/purchase was a blessing in disguise. Sure hope those folks do okay.

 

[fatjay]

I've thought about getting something down south, but definitely not florida if I want to be coastal. To much risk, and if something happens you have to go down to fix it, and the fixes could take days or weeks. Those that I know that have them are money pits. I prefer my 37' class A on a camp ground that I can bring home safely and keep out of harms way.

 

[Tooljunkie]

A friend is heading down to look at condos. Booked a hotel through expedia, told him hotel was ok. He tries to confirm his booking and cant reach hotel. One condo owner told him hotel power is down. So booking agent is booking without proper verification. Good thing my friend is paying attention.
He did have a house, but sold it in spring for the reasons described in the other posts.

Would like to have a place myself,but an rv makes way more sense to me. Dont get along eith the neighbours? Turn the key.

 

[bearbait]

Friends have a place in Florida and they were lucky, no damage. I wish everyone was so lucky.

 

[Stmar]

My friends and relatives were also lucky, Orlando did not get the water damage like the Keys and Jacksonville. Limbs and downed fences were the main issue so not too bad at all considering. Power back already for some but a few of our relations don't think they will have power for a week. Of course these are the ones that have a generator that does not work and heaven forbid that they tested/maintained it before the storm, the reason I bought a Honda EU and "exercise" it because I want it to start when I need it.

 

[skeets]

Little Brother says,, Florida is like the elephants grave yard.. I said what do you mean,, he said well in all the Tarzan movies old elephants would go off the the elephants grave yard and die,, with humans it's Florida

 

[drj211]

Holy cow! So much doom and gloom on Florida.

It's a wonderful state with lots to offer those of us who like outdoor activities year round. That being said, we do have a few speed bumps once in a while! We did have some damage in the area, but we'll pull through.

On a good note, my new L3301 and old Winco generator pulled us through 3 days with no power. After that, I used it to clean up all the downed limbs. I went from 16 to 44 hours in a couple days.

Now time to do the 50 hour service.

 

[Stmar]

DRJ, sounds like your timing is good, new tractor. I am sure you will put it to good use and to me having a generator is a good insurance policy in any part of the country; hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, etc.
My friends and family would live nowhere else, the weather is a blessing and a curse and they put up with the inconveniences to reap the benefits.

 

[lugbolt]

Same here. Friend of mine has a couple vacation homes/rentals down on the Southwest florida, kinda over by Naples/Fort Myers area. Both of his places received zero damage this time from Irma. That is a relief certainly for him but also for me since the girlfriend and I plan on visiting next spring. He's had one home there since 1982 and have been extremely fortunate that no damage has been done from weather related events. Renters are a different story; but he has a property maintenance company to take care of that stuff and still makes good money on it.

Location is everything. I also know guys who thought they had a brilliant idea to rent out a vacation house near Kissimmee, and they are lucky to break even. Actually one of them is on the market, possibly sold-I haven't spoken to him in the last month or so. I am told that the state of Florida has some weird laws in regards to insurance and rentals, etc. Weird to me anyway, but I'm a property virgin...I don't have the income to invest in that kinda stuff.