House Saga Part 7

[peacock2121]

So, I started working on the website. I asked for houses in the Sun City Center zip code. I asked for condo, 2 bedroom, 2 bath. I excluded new construction and fixer-uppers. I asked for between $50,000 and $100,000.

It was very fun.

We quickly decided to stay inside Kings Point. It is a gated community. There really is a guard house and if you don't have a sticker on your car or a visitor's card on your dash, you don't get in. Residents have to call the gate and alert them that someone is coming. Given the purpose (one of the purposes) is for me to be there to assist my folks as they age and change and all, having to go through the gate seemed stoopid.

Kings Point has 5300 families. Most are duplex homes -they call them 'roof mates', as most are one story buildings. The complex has grown over the years and each new section has it's own flavor and style.

The go by alphabet. The A's (Andover) are all what my mom calls "the flat tops". She kinda says it like my ex-m-i-l used to say "my shiksa d-i-l", if you get the picture.

The B's are not much better.

The C's (Canterbury, Cambridge, Canton and so on) were newer and nicer places, although my mom sneers at them as they have shared car ports and then you walk to your own front door. Not a deal breaker for me, depending on the distance from your spot to the front door.

The D's and F's are okay (there are no E's)

I found myself preferring the G's - N's.

I started making lists - I am good at that. The lists said:

location
square footage
car situation (shared cart port, car port or garage)
washer dryer included
furniture included (and whether it would go straight to the dump)
golf cart included
asking price
what we would spend to be in (we knew we would be buying a bed, no matter what)

It was all logical on paper.

[tlynn78]

if you don't have a sticker on your car

Don't forget to get one for your golf cart, too.


t.

[a1mamacat]

So, I started working on the website. I asked for houses in the Sun City Center zip code. I asked for condo, 2 bedroom, 2 bath. I excluded new construction and fixer-uppers. I asked for between $50,000 and $100,000.

It was very fun.

We quickly decided to stay inside Kings Point. It is a gated community. There really is a guard house and if you don't have a sticker on your car or a visitor's card on your dash, you don't get in. Residents have to call the gate and alert them that someone is coming. Given the purpose (one of the purposes) is for me to be there to assist my folks as they age and change and all, having to go through the gate seemed stoopid.

Kings Point has 5300 families. Most are duplex homes -they call them 'roof mates', as most are one story buildings. The complex has grown over the years and each new section has it's own flavor and style.

The go by alphabet. The A's (Andover) are all what my mom calls "the flat tops". She kinda says it like my ex-m-i-l used to say "my shiksa d-i-l", if you get the picture.

The B's are not much better.

The C's (Canterbury, Cambridge, Canton and so on) were newer and nicer places, although my mom sneers at them as they have shared car ports and then you walk to your own front door. Not a deal breaker for me, depending on the distance from your spot to the front door.

The D's and F's are okay (there are no E's)

I found myself preferring the G's - N's.

I started making lists - I am good at that. The lists said:

location
square footage
car situation (shared cart port, car port or garage)
washer dryer included
furniture included (and whether it would go straight to the dump)
golf cart included
asking price
what we would spend to be in (we knew we would be buying a bed, no matter what)

It was all logical on paper.

I am excited for you. I am envious that you are at that stage where you have the time to do it. I am pleased that you are at that stage that you are able to do it.


it's all good

[peacock2121]

if you don't have a sticker on your car

Don't forget to get one for your golf cart, too.


t.

I didn't think of that!

I will add that to my list.

[peacock2121]

So, I started working on the website. I asked for houses in the Sun City Center zip code. I asked for condo, 2 bedroom, 2 bath. I excluded new construction and fixer-uppers. I asked for between $50,000 and $100,000.

It was very fun.

We quickly decided to stay inside Kings Point. It is a gated community. There really is a guard house and if you don't have a sticker on your car or a visitor's card on your dash, you don't get in. Residents have to call the gate and alert them that someone is coming. Given the purpose (one of the purposes) is for me to be there to assist my folks as they age and change and all, having to go through the gate seemed stoopid.

Kings Point has 5300 families. Most are duplex homes -they call them 'roof mates', as most are one story buildings. The complex has grown over the years and each new section has it's own flavor and style.

The go by alphabet. The A's (Andover) are all what my mom calls "the flat tops". She kinda says it like my ex-m-i-l used to say "my shiksa d-i-l", if you get the picture.

The B's are not much better.

The C's (Canterbury, Cambridge, Canton and so on) were newer and nicer places, although my mom sneers at them as they have shared car ports and then you walk to your own front door. Not a deal breaker for me, depending on the distance from your spot to the front door.

The D's and F's are okay (there are no E's)

I found myself preferring the G's - N's.

I started making lists - I am good at that. The lists said:

location
square footage
car situation (shared cart port, car port or garage)
washer dryer included
furniture included (and whether it would go straight to the dump)
golf cart included
asking price
what we would spend to be in (we knew we would be buying a bed, no matter what)

It was all logical on paper.

I am excited for you. I am envious that you are at that stage where you have the time to do it. I am pleased that you are at that stage that you are able to do it.


it's all good

We actually have had the time to do it since we got married. Sting works April - August, a few days per week in September and October - December. There is not much that you can do for the health of trees during the down months. If the trees are dormant, so is he. We (actually I) have been able to manage our finances so that even when he is not producing money, we have enough to pay our bills.

He has always done deer repellent almost up to Christmas time. He is now convinced he can finish it all by November 15 so we can leave for Florida then. I am not convinced.

We could not have done this financially before - the cost of homes down there were outside the realm of possibility for us. The real estate market tanking has made this possible. The lack of return on our investments has made it viable to sink money into a home and take it out of investments.

Everything aligned at the right time for us and for my parents.

[Buffacuse]

I have loved reading these...so happy for you two.

[peacock2121]

I have loved reading these...so happy for you two.

Thank you.

We just talked about it all through dinner.

We are both very excited.

I told him the best thing is we will be taking care of our parents and be together!