I am looking to purchase a reasonably priced ($65,000.00 or less)condo
or mobile home in the area of either Indian Rocks, Madeira Beach,
Englewood Beach or Bonita Beach Florida.  It MUST be within walking
distance of the beach and shopping. I would like it to have 2 bedrooms
and a balcony/lanai if possible.  Thanks for your help.

---

Request for Question Clarification by silviares-ga on 11 Nov 2002 18:07 PST

Hello crickets-ga

I contacted several real estate agents in the area but all of them
seem to think that the 65,000$ limit you fixed is too low to find
something with the requisites that you specify.
I will copy here one of the answers I got and I would like you to let
me know if you are willing to pay a higher price or to buy something
not so close to the beach.

Here is the real estate agent reply
"

....
In response to your inquiry.

It is very difficult or near impossible to find a 2BR condo or mobile
home on the beach for under $65,000!  The 2BR condo,s on the beach
start at around $140,000 and there are few mobile homes on the beach
because the real estate is so high. There are 1 or 2 parks on the
beach but even there the homes start at aroung $85,000 when they come
up which is seldom.

I have found several nice homes just off the beach that are within 5
minutes driving of the beach. A very nice mobile home on bayou water
front but no beach for $69,000 which again is about a 5 min drive to
the beach.

Regards"

Let me know
Silviares

Hello crickets,

Earlier this year, I found an old farm house on 40 acres across the
country from where I was living.  I now own it.  What I found, is that
if you are interested in something that is unusual, you have to look
for yourself.  So, you want to find a web page that will let you
search through the properties yourself.   The realtors that I
contacted to help me search were uninterested in helping me for the
low price I wanted to pay.  I found my home on line through my own
real estate searches and then went to visit.  There was enough
information that I could actually go right to the house.

So, I have done some similar searches for you.  I started by searching
for real estate in Florida.  I have found a couple of locations, that
I hope will work for you.

I am not certain where there is shopping.  But, this place seems to be
within a half mile of the beach.

$69,000 
BONITA SPRNG, FL  34134
Beds: 2
Baths: 1
Sq.Ft.: 672
MLS #80057885
$69,000 Located in SPRING CREEK VILLAGE NO 3, Area: 4725, BONITA
SPRNG, County: LEE, Zip Code: 34134.
This mobile/manufactured home built in 1978 has 2 bedroom(s), 1 full
bath(s) and is approximately 672 sq ft of living area. Rooms include a
family/florida room, eat-in kitchen, master bedroom, master bathroom.
Other features include window treatments. This home has a 2 car
carport. Recreation amenities include community swimming pool(s),
community tennis court(s), community clubhouse(s), community boat
facilities.

NAPLES REALTY SERVICES-BONITA
Office: (239) 498-3333
http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?areaid=39969&mlsttl=&frm=byMap&pgnum=1&mls=xmls&lnksrc=&js=on&fid=so&vtsort=&ss_aywr=no&optInCheckbox=no&gate=&poe=realtor&ct=Bonita+Beach&st=FL&zp=&mnprice=10000&mxprice=70000&mnbed=2&mnbath=0&typ=1&typ=3&typ=2&mnsqft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=Any+Size&lid=&Submit1=Search
________________________________________________________________________
Again, I am not certain where there is shopping.  But, this place
seems to be within a mile of the beach.

 $44,900 See Listing Details  
2039 Willow Drive
Englewood, FL  34224
Beds: 2
Baths: 1.5
Sq.Ft.: 684
MLS #373219
  
  presented by:
KATHY DAMEWOOD
(800)881-1311

 $44,900 Located in Aillon, Englewood, County: Charlotte, Zip Code:
34224.
2039 Willow Drive. 
This mobile home built in 1975 has 2 bedroom(s), 1 full bath(s), 1
half bath(s) and is approximately 684 sq. ft. Rooms include a family
room, master bedroom. Other features include breakfast bar, pantry.
This home has a carport.

RE/MAX BAYSIDE PROPERTIES INC
Office: (941) 475-1311
http://remax.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?mlsttl=Englewood&frm=bycomm&pgnum=1&mls=englewood&lnksrc=REALRSCF2C0002&js=on&gate=remax&poe=realtor&st=fl&areaid=1085448&typ=1&typ=2&typ=3&mnprice=0&mxprice=10000000&mnbed=0&mnbath=0&mnsqft=0&pgsz=5&view=2&ss_fthb=n%2Fa&ss_mitm=n%2Fa
________________________________________________________________________
This site listed 30 homes in Englewood Florida for under $80,000.  I
searched for 2 bedroom.  There was no place for distance to beach. 
However, if you look at this site, many of the houses have maps that
locate them.  A few that I looked at were within 2 miles from the
beach.

http://list.realestate.yahoo.com/display/realestate?ct_hft=table&cc=realestate&loctype=c_s_z&intl=&cs=time+2&csz=englewood%2C+florida&cl_l4pri=&ch_l4pri=80000&cl_bds=2&cl_bth=&fullnodeid=750007014
________________________________________________________________________
Be warned that there are a lot of sites that will tell you there is
nothing under $100,000.  Probably best to just go somewhere else when
you see that.

You can try this property finder website
http://www.florida-properties.com/propfind.asp

This one was the most useful for me
http://list.realestate.yahoo.com/


Keywords Used: 
United States Florida Englewood
http://remax.realtor.com/florida/nbselfl.asp?st=&gate=remax&poe=realtor

real estate
http://hotbot.lycos.com/?query=real+estate&cobrand=&matchmode=all&datedelta=0&language=any&recordcount=10&descriptiontype=2&modsign1=MC&dateoption=within&placeselection=georegion&srchbutton.x=40&srchbutton.y=11

real estate
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=real+estate&btnG=Google+Search

I hope this helps you find what you are looking for.
pba

---

Request for Answer Clarification by crickets-ga on 12 Nov 2002 07:15 PST

Hi Silviares,
I appreciate the work you put into trying to help me.  Unfortunately,
I cannot drive at this time, but am hoping to be able to in the
future.  I would certainly "settle" for a one bedroom within walking
distance of the beach and I can "give up" being near a shopping area. 
I know how difficult this search is and I appreciate any leads you can
provide me with.  Thanks for everything.
crickets

---

Clarification of Answer by peggy_bill-ga on 12 Nov 2002 08:16 PST

Dear crickets,

I will be glad to keep looking.  What I need to know is how far do you
consider walking distance.  None of the pages I saw used that term. 
But, many of them had maps with scales on them.  Did any on the list
that I posted look good to you?

Thanks
pba

---

Request for Answer Clarification by crickets-ga on 12 Nov 2002 10:16 PST

Hi pba,
First of all, thank you so much for all your work. You have done a
wonderful job
and I appreciate all the leads you have provided.  Rest assured, that
this is my dream and I will never give up searching. A little personal
info...I had LASIK eye surgery 1 1/2 years ago that has left me unable
to drive.  I am working on getting back to driving and that will help
my search immeasurably.
At this time, however, I need to find something that I (an unfit 55
year old...ha! ha!) can walk to (and back from) without passing out. 
I would guess that that distance would be about 1/2 a mile or less. I
went to all the sites you provided and they have renewed my faith that
there IS something out there for me.  Thank you so much for that. 
Best of luck with your farm and property.
crickets

---

Clarification of Answer by peggy_bill-ga on 13 Nov 2002 08:34 PST

Dear Crickets,

I wish you the best of luck on this endeavor.  I think it is great
that you are pursuing your dream.  I believe that what you want is out
there.  It just isn't well advertised.  Good luck on your laser
surgery.  My brother had it years ago, and was eternally grateful for
it.

In the meantime, I had been looking for property that seemed to be
within a mile of the beach.  So, your clarification helps, but, I
can't tell for sure from the maps how far those properties are.  So, I
have contacted two realtors who listed a couple of those inexpensive
homes.  I asked them what the distances were to the beach.  I also
asked them if they had anything else that met the critera.  When they
contact me, I will let you know (their names are listed below).

I did find a few trailer parks that had many trailers in your price
range. I think I got them because I reduced the number of bedrooms. 
But, they are more like 3 miles from the beach.  However, many of
these places are a lot closer to other water ways than that.  I don't
know if that interests you, or not (address at the bottom). I think it
would expand your options.  But, I guess if you are having trouble
driving, you aren't going to want to get into a little speed boat. 
Although, they are alot of fun.

On a completely different track, have you thought of the Florida
panhandle?  When I was doing my national search, I discovered that
that area was significantly cheaper than the rest of Florida.  There
are some nice beaches in this area, and the prices are much lower.

I will let you know when I hear from the realtors
pba


Kathy Damewood in Englewood
http://remax.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?mlsttl=Englewood&frm=bycomm&pgnum=1&mls=englewood&lnksrc=REALRSCF2C0002&js=on&gate=remax&poe=realtor&st=fl&areaid=1085448&typ=1&typ=2&typ=3&mnprice=0&mxprice=70000&mnbed=0&mnbath=0&mnsqft=0&pgsz=5&view=2&ss_fthb=n%2Fa&ss_mitm=n%2Fa

and AMELIA BARRETO in Bonita Springs
http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?areaid=39969&mlsttl=&frm=byMap&pgnum=1&mls=xmls&lnksrc=&js=on&fid=so&vtsort=&ss_aywr=no&optInCheckbox=no&gate=&poe=realtor&ct=Bonita+Beach&st=FL&zp=&mnprice=10000&mxprice=70000&mnbed=2&mnbath=0&typ=1&typ=3&typ=2&mnsqft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=Any+Size&lid=&Submit1=Search

New listing using 1 bedroom.
http://www.realtor.com/FindHome/HomeListings.asp?mlsttl=&frm=byMap&pgnum=1&mls=xmls&lnksrc=&js=on&fid=so&vtsort=&ss_aywr=&optInCheckbox=&gate=&poe=realtor&ct=englewood&st=FL&zp=&mnprice=10000&mxprice=70000&mnbed=2&mnbath=0&typ=1&typ=3&typ=2&mnsqft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=0&exft=Any+Size&lid=&Submit1=Search&areaid=8226

peggy_bill (pba) has been absolutely wonderful!  I could not ask for
more help or enthusiasm and she continues to work on getting an answer
to my difficult question.  I am especially grateful that she has
renewed my faith that I will actually realize my dream.  Thank You!
Thank You! Thank You!

Dear crickets,

I have not yet received any emails from either of those realtors that
I contacted.  I would suggest that you attempt to contact them.  Their
email and webpage addresses are above.  You might even call them.

In anycase, since they are showing property within your price range,
they would be very good people to talk to.  I am just sorry they never
answered me.

Good luck.
pba

Hi pba,
Thank you for all your work.  I truly appreciate it. I emailed two of
the realtors listed and I have not received a reply either.  It makes
me wonder why they bother to ask people to email them....  I will
continue to forge ahead with my quest.  Thanks again.  I hope Google
has given you the tip.  Take care.

crickets

I just left ebay, they have this listed:
Florida 55 Plus Condo, spacious fully furnished, ground floor, one
bedroom, one bathroom, 745 sq ft plus florida room and patio. New A C
with digital thermostat. Covered parking space. $154,00 maintenance
fee includes Cable TV, water, sewer, trash removal, lawn maintenance,
building exterior, escrow reserves, heated swimming pool, shuffleboard
courts, large clubhouse with activities. Minutes to Gulf Beaches,
Across the street from large VA hospital, On city bus line, Close to
Tyrone Mall (over 170 stores). Ideal for snowbird situation, lock the
door in April and return in October.Complex includes several year
round residents BUY IT NOW FOR $45,000.00 Could include 1990 Mercury
Grand Marquis all original with 44,131 miles THIS IS THE ITEM NUMBER:
2306995880 You can look it up by that number in search box.

Other than that...

Sergeant Shultz knows... "Nothing!"

I am going to have to get these Real Estate guys to put me on a
retainer...

I did a search for Florida property at Ebay and came up with this
description that lists Englewood Beach. I know you said condo or
mobile but a building lot in a new residential area for this price?
Now if you have an ounce of "initiative" you will locate some masonary
home builder (in Minnesota or Alaska or somewhere ICEBERG cold like
Albert City, Iowa) that would darn near pay you to spend the winter
working on your new home in sunny Florida.
Here is their description with the item number at end so you can look
it up at Ebay's search page ( http://www.ebay.com )
Welcome to South West Florida. Your bidding on a 10,000 sq ft. CORNER,
Residential PORT CHARLOTTE Lot in an upcoming new neighborhood.
Standard lot in the same section is listed locally for the $4,700
shown in the Pictures below. Property is special being between two
waterway canals, The Apollo Waterway & The Jupiter Waterway, which
attracts upscale homes.

Marina Park, public boat ramp leading to the Gulf, is less than 1 mile
on Chancellor Blvd. shown in the pictures below. Riverwood Gulf &
Country Club is easy access within 5 minutes from the Lot inside the
neighborhood. Many new homes are up and in construction. Fair market
value conducted by a real estate agency is $4,000-6,000. . If you
would like to set up an appointment to view the property in person
please email me at DELSOLBF@AOL.COM or call me anytime at
239-980-2197.

Closest Beach is PORT CHARLOTTE BEACH just on Harbor blvd. You also
have Englewood BEACH on County Road 776. Boca Grande BEACH on State
Road 771. Neighboring Cities include Punta Gorda, North Port, Cape
Coral, and Sarasota. DELSOLBF@AOL.COM

Local Comparable Sales from Real Estate Agencies are listed at
$4,000-6,000 respectively. Agengcies are selling them to local and
out-of-state investors and builders for as much as DOUBLE mine. Cut
out the middle man! It costs $1,000 or 10%, whichever is higher, to
sell a Lot with a REAL ESTATE AGENCY. Who pays their commission? The
Investor/Buyer. This is how I can sell wholesale. DELSOLBF@AOL.COM

333 Dorman St. Port Charlotte, Florida. Parcel ID:0027512-000000-4.
Section-Township-Range:04-40-21. Tax District:107, Market Area:01,
Neighborhood:05. Legal Description:PCH 024 2066 0016 PORT CHARLOTTE
SEC24 BLK2066 LT 16 240/298 DELSOLBF@AOL.COM

Port Charlotte is one of the highest ranked cities in the Nation in
growth rate. Charlotte County is ranked #1 in the State of Florida for
Lowest Crime Rate. Residential Lots in every neighborhood are high in
demand. People will always need a place to live. Corporations rise and
fall, Real Estate always Appreciates!!! Its just a matter of what
area's to invest in. SouthWest Florida is home to the HOTTEST MARKET.
You can't beat these gains in the STOCK MARKET. REAL ESTATE will be
the investment tool of the future. DELSOLBF@AOL.COM

I do offer no qualifying owner financing at $1,200 down with the
balance spread over 12 months @ 12% interest. Closing Costs are $75.00
flat for Charlotte County to process the Deed and prepare the
paperwork.

I also invest in the Cape Coral area, well as Sarasota and Northport
area. I will send you info and pics of my Land Inventory in addition
to my Ebay Auctions. I get new Lots in weekly. Email me at
DELSOLBF@AOL.COM

Please email me if you'd like to see more pictures of the physical lot
and ammenities.

Picture 1: Charlotte County Aerial Map of Lot 16 showing The Apollo
Waterway.

Picture 2: Charlotte County Street Map view showing The Apollo
Waterway & The Jupiter Waterway.

Picture 3: Standard Lot for Sale in area. 

Picture 4: Right view of the physical Lot. 

Picture 5: Marina Park for free access to Gulf. 

Picture 6: New Construction. 

I will "BUY NOW" this property for a $3,500 payment in full. Serious
bidder's only please!!! All fraudalent bidders will be turned in to
Ebay personally!!! $250.00 deposit per property is required within 24
hours of Auction End. Thanks and please feel free to email or call me
with any questions. Brandon of delsolbf@aol.com. (239)980-2197.
Item # 2308060126