Hello!

[linda.s]

Hiya!
I'm Linda from Essex, and I am looking forward to our next visit to Florida in October this year. We went in 2002, and throughly enjoyed it, ending up buying a timeshare [xx(] we will be using it this year, and the accommodation is fab......... However, we want to look at purchasing a property with another couple this year, so any advice would be extremely welcome. We had just started to make enquiries about buying in Florida, when the chance of Millbrook Manor came up........ As we hadn't really got into finance etc, we decided not to buy - daft move by the look of it! So, as I said any advice really welcome............. Thanks![msnsmile2]
Linda

[Ray&Sarah]

Hi Linda welcome to the forum, if you have any specific questions then fire away and someone is bound to be able to answer it. The search facility on this site is great too. Happy searching!

[linsan]

Hi Linda

Welcome! You'll find everyone extremely friendly and helpful.
Platinum Properties who do Millbrook Manor have another development just started called Winslow Estates. I think that it's on US27 south of US192 near Tuscan Ridge and has the same models as Millbrook.

[linda.s]

Thanks Guys - What a fab welcome!
Well, we haven't really been able to do a lot of homework, as we don;t really know anyone else who has bought! I guess we are part of the ideal dream, that the villa will pay for itself, but how realistic is that? Would you suggest buying a re-sale or a new plot?
Well, atht's 2 questions to get started with! lol

[jolliffee]

Hi linda, welcome. Some of the cost type issues are discussed in the owners area but you could try a search for them. Buying resale will get you up and running quicker but may prove more expensive, this depends on so many variables. The resale market is very much a sellers market so you'll need to be there to find it.

[pigletsplace2003]

Hi from John and Emma , sure you will enjoy this site as much as all of us

[Liam_Sandie]

Hi Linda

Liam and I went over in March of this year and it was pretty hectic!!! We had set up viewings with our realtor and by the time we had reached the houses (re-sales) an offer had been submitted and accepted. This happened twice in the one day!! We were fortunate enough to have an offer accepted just before we came home but it took nearly 3 months before our closing actually happened. My main piece of advise would be to have decided where you would like to buy, and what are the main features you are looking for... once you have narrowed it down, hopefully any realtor you get on side will be able to guide you in the right direction!!

Good luck..hope it works out for you and most of all enjoy your holiday!

Sandie

[dave.parks]

Hi Linda
Welcome to the forum dont be scared to ask any question the forum will try there hardest to solve any problems you fire at them. [msnsmile]

[linda.s]

Thanks for the info - very helpful! I have been scouring the different areas for information, and there is sooooo much of it!! [msnsmile2] It has given us a dilemma though, we were hoping to be able to buy a property and have it pay for itself at least, but judging by most of the comments here, that ain't gonna happen! (Unless we buy a 7 bedder!) It's also hard trying to judge if the realtor you have picked is a good one or not! Being so far away makes it difficult to judge by phone!
Oh well!! We are off there in October, and whilst it will be a family holiday, we want to spend some time looking, so if someone has a "guide to the pitfalls" or can direct me to the best area here to look, i'd be really grateful!
Thanks again!

[dave.parks]

Hi linda one thing i have learned in florida dont by the one what comes first look around there are resales as well to look at There,s allways villas being built. It took me 5 years but well worth it. what i would do look at the areas first then narrow them down say four then look again at the property,s.
Look for the size of pool, restriction , comunty,s as it a lake.
Shops. does it rent well, and is it a short tearm rental rest of the forum who,s no more than me will give you more infor[msnscared] Hope this as started you off