Advice needed.
Sep 30th 2018, 3:14 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: North England
Posts: 4
Advice needed.
So I am looking at buying a 2 bed apartment in Florida. With no mortgage.
I will only be staying less than 90 days at a time so won't need anything other than a standard visa under the Visa waiver programme? As I would be staying as an extended holiday approximately 3 times a year?
My question is how do i go about calculating running costs?
Council tax, broadband, water rates ect.
I honestly have no one to ask and NO idea where to even start trying to look. Google has just confused me even more!
Many thanks
I will only be staying less than 90 days at a time so won't need anything other than a standard visa under the Visa waiver programme? As I would be staying as an extended holiday approximately 3 times a year?
My question is how do i go about calculating running costs?
Council tax, broadband, water rates ect.
I honestly have no one to ask and NO idea where to even start trying to look. Google has just confused me even more!
Many thanks
Last edited by MidwifeMatilda; Sep 30th 2018 at 3:22 pm.
Sep 30th 2018, 4:52 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Advice needed.
I would pick area of interest then contact a local realestate agency. You can look online at the agency and they usually have photos of individual agents. I would pick an agent and contact them. They can provide a lot of information and if you end up buying their fee comes from seller as the selling agent will split the fee paid by seller with the listing agent. This agent should represent your interests especially if the property purchased is listed by another agency and not the one your selected agent works for.
Sep 30th 2018, 4:58 pm
#3
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: North England
Posts: 4
Re: Advice needed.
I would pick area of interest then contact a local realestate agency. You can look online at the agency and they usually have photos of individual agents. I would pick an agent and contact them. They can provide a lot of information and if you end up buying their fee comes from seller as the selling agent will split the fee paid by seller with the listing agent. This agent should represent your interests especially if the property purchased is listed by another agency and not the one your selected agent works for.
Fantastic advice, thank you so much
Sep 30th 2018, 5:24 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2015
Location: Near Lynchburg Tennessee, home of Jack Daniels
Posts: 1,381
Re: Advice needed.
Something I would also consider is just renting an apartment. You could in an off the books informal basis let trusted friends and relatives stay there during your absence to help defray the costs. I would definitely do this the first year to give you plenty of time to get to know the area and if you do decide to buy you would be in a much more informed position to do so.
Sep 30th 2018, 6:10 pm
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: North England
Posts: 4
Re: Advice needed.
That is so true.. I hadn't even considered this.
only so much Google can tell you about an area.
EVen driving round as part of the holiday doesn't give you the feel because your in hokiday mode so to speak.
Thank you
only so much Google can tell you about an area.
EVen driving round as part of the holiday doesn't give you the feel because your in hokiday mode so to speak.
Thank you
Sep 30th 2018, 6:41 pm
#6
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: Advice needed.
Also consider being that you will be here for at least 9 months out of a year, you will be liable to file a US tax return. And that is if the agent at the POE allows you in on the second or third trip as it would look like you are living in the US rather than just coming here as a visitor.
Sep 30th 2018, 7:06 pm
#7
Joined: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
Posts: 9,966
Re: Advice needed.
Also consider entry under the VWP is not guaranteed. The immigration officer will see a record of all your visits and there may well come a time when one will decide you are abusing the privilege of being a visitor and refuse you entry.
ETA: I posted this before I saw Rete’s reply, but nothing lost by reinforcing the point.
ETA: I posted this before I saw Rete’s reply, but nothing lost by reinforcing the point.
Last edited by lansbury; Sep 30th 2018 at 7:13 pm.
Sep 30th 2018, 7:07 pm
#8
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,194
Re: Advice needed.
Spending more than half the year in the US will create both tax and immigration problems.
Sep 30th 2018, 7:17 pm
#9
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2018
Location: North England
Posts: 4
Re: Advice needed.
Also consider being that you will be here for at least 9 months out of a year, you will be liable to file a US tax return. And that is if the agent at the POE allows you in on the second or third trip as it would look like you are living in the US rather than just coming here as a visitor.
6 week summer holidays. 2 weeks at Christmas 2 weeks at Easter.
Would that be classed as and abusing a visitors visa?
May have to re think and buy property in Europe in that case.
Not a risk I can take! Many thanks
Sep 30th 2018, 7:18 pm
#10
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,390
Re: Advice needed.
Why have you singled out Florida. What is wrong with a country closer to home, i.e. Portugal or Spain.
PS you did say in your original post that you would be staying for 90 days each of 3 times a year. Hence our discussion of taxes and issues at the POE. Why would you buy something that you are going to be leaving empty for nearly 9 months out of the year. The upkeep is tremendous, i.e. lawn care, air conditioning needing to be left on 24/7 in your absence, real estate taxes (is that the same as your council taxes?), retaining someone to visit the home periodically to see that it hasn't been vandalized and no pipes, etc. have broken.
PS you did say in your original post that you would be staying for 90 days each of 3 times a year. Hence our discussion of taxes and issues at the POE. Why would you buy something that you are going to be leaving empty for nearly 9 months out of the year. The upkeep is tremendous, i.e. lawn care, air conditioning needing to be left on 24/7 in your absence, real estate taxes (is that the same as your council taxes?), retaining someone to visit the home periodically to see that it hasn't been vandalized and no pipes, etc. have broken.
Last edited by Rete; Sep 30th 2018 at 7:21 pm.
Sep 30th 2018, 7:21 pm
#11
Joined: Feb 2012
Location: Not in Paris
Posts: 18,194
Re: Advice needed.
10 weeks a year shouldn’t cause you problems.
Sep 30th 2018, 7:45 pm
#12
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2015
Location: NC, USA (ex Yorkshire)
Posts: 4,375
Re: Advice needed.
Why have you singled out Florida. What is wrong with a country closer to home, i.e. Portugal or Spain.
PS you did say in your original post that you would be staying for 90 days each of 3 times a year. Hence our discussion of taxes and issues at the POE. Why would you buy something that you are going to be leaving empty for nearly 9 months out of the year. The upkeep is tremendous, i.e. lawn care, air conditioning needing to be left on 24/7 in your absence, real estate taxes (is that the same as your council taxes?), retaining someone to visit the home periodically to see that it hasn't been vandalized and no pipes, etc. have broken.
PS you did say in your original post that you would be staying for 90 days each of 3 times a year. Hence our discussion of taxes and issues at the POE. Why would you buy something that you are going to be leaving empty for nearly 9 months out of the year. The upkeep is tremendous, i.e. lawn care, air conditioning needing to be left on 24/7 in your absence, real estate taxes (is that the same as your council taxes?), retaining someone to visit the home periodically to see that it hasn't been vandalized and no pipes, etc. have broken.
Sep 30th 2018, 9:33 pm
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 110
Re: Advice needed.
Be good to know what area of Florida you're considering before offering advice. I'm just passing 15 years of living here just west of Disney. Property taxes/council taxes vary tremendously as to sq ft and community and 'locals' qualify for a 25% homestead discount. If you are considering the usual British 6 week school holiday break just remember thats during Floridas very hot and sticky stormy season. Plenty of new housing construction going on and property prices are on the rise. If you can give some idea where you are considering I will offer more help/advice if needed. Good luck.
Sep 30th 2018, 9:46 pm
#14
Deep in the woods of CT
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,002
Re: Advice needed.
So I am looking at buying a 2 bed apartment in Florida. With no mortgage.
I will only be staying less than 90 days at a time so won't need anything other than a standard visa under the Visa waiver programme? As I would be staying as an extended holiday approximately 3 times a year?
My question is how do i go about calculating running costs?
Council tax, broadband, water rates ect.
I honestly have no one to ask and NO idea where to even start trying to look. Google has just confused me even more!
Many thanks
I will only be staying less than 90 days at a time so won't need anything other than a standard visa under the Visa waiver programme? As I would be staying as an extended holiday approximately 3 times a year?
My question is how do i go about calculating running costs?
Council tax, broadband, water rates ect.
I honestly have no one to ask and NO idea where to even start trying to look. Google has just confused me even more!
Many thanks
Oct 1st 2018, 2:41 pm
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2017
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 802
Re: Advice needed.
Some people have a real downer on Florida, personally, I love it (moved to Georgia, close enough).
Council Tax = Property Tax, depends on location, size of house etc.
Water, Gas & Electric (he latter will be much higher because of the A/C)
You'll probably have to pay for a weekly waste collection - not in the Property Tax generally speaking
This is just a "I think" moment, but some locations are picky on potential buyers, insisting on the home not being left unoccupied. Be sure to check, and probably, as other advise, use a local Real Estate Agent. Might also be worth considering employing a local property manager to maintain the property, especially if consider renting it out (had friends do that in Lake Davenport). Worked out fine for them for many years, until the pool began to leak - keep those type of long term costs in mind, even if not taking on a mortgage.
Council Tax = Property Tax, depends on location, size of house etc.
Water, Gas & Electric (he latter will be much higher because of the A/C)
You'll probably have to pay for a weekly waste collection - not in the Property Tax generally speaking
This is just a "I think" moment, but some locations are picky on potential buyers, insisting on the home not being left unoccupied. Be sure to check, and probably, as other advise, use a local Real Estate Agent. Might also be worth considering employing a local property manager to maintain the property, especially if consider renting it out (had friends do that in Lake Davenport). Worked out fine for them for many years, until the pool began to leak - keep those type of long term costs in mind, even if not taking on a mortgage.