New Chassidish Community Being Planned in Tampa

[avromie7]

Just makes it harder to get that square footage. You need more land.

Lakewood houses are typically 3500sqf plus a basement which is finished into an apartment that is rented out.

[Lurker]

Lakewood houses are typically 3500sqf plus a basement which is finished into an apartment that is rented out.

At what price?

[avromie7]

At what price?

I think somewhere around 600k. Keep in mind, the basement rental subsidizes the mortgage.

[Lurker]

I think somewhere around 600k. Keep in mind, the basement rental subsidizes the mortgage.

That's almost double what the FL houses are being advertised at. I think a big part of their target audience is looking for something more affordable than 600k.

[Joel]

That's almost double what the FL houses are being advertised at. I think a big part of their target audience is looking for something more affordable than 600k.

Life in Florida will be more expansive. think travel alone to NY for any family related event.

You can get in Lakewood a new townhouse with 2500 SQF for 300-400K or a larger house with a finished basement for a rental for 600-700k

[mendyt]

Life in Florida will be more expansive. think travel alone to NY for any family related event.

You can get in Lakewood a new townhouse with 2500 SQF for 300-400K or a larger house with a finished basement for a rental for 600-700k

Well don't forget the younger generation doesn't rely on all government funding like FS or Section 8, and in FL you have School choice/Scholarship program PLUS no state income tax

[mendyt]

Was there more information provided this weekend?

They sent an email only Thursday night about the event, so not everyone made it.
They had between 50-60 participants plus a few on zoom, and they claimed they have more people who already gave deposits but couldn't make it. One of the ladies told DW that she knows five people who already put down deposits and didn't make it, so I guess it was true.
While I thought only confirmed deposits will be attending, I did learn that some of them did not and are just very interested, I don't mind that they allowed unconfirmed families to attend, but it did bother me a bit, as I want to see people who are at the step of making the move and not just extremely interested.
Besides the Tausig family, they had one family who already signed a contract on Friday morning and another family who already chose their lot and are signing a contract this week.

Its hard to define the crowd on a public forum, what's too frum for one, may be too modern for another, but Ill try to get out of my box 
I'm not an extrovert; hence I didn't chat with everyone, but from my first impressions, I think its fair to say that its a pretty diverse community.  I would label most as Normal center chasidish families, a few a drop more to the right and a few a drop more to the left, but no one that we would call "very farfrimt" or the opposite.   With this said, I think it's a normal healthy, diverse crowd, and this is exactly what you need if you want it to flourish.

I understand that the whole development, which is almost 700 homes, will be reserved for the community if they receive 70 contracts by Jan 2021.
They have another property ready for another development just 1-2 miles away.

As mentioned above, the largest home is 2600Sf plus 400Sf in the garage. I would also love to have it a bit bigger, but this is what they have now, and also, D.R. Horton would not customize anything for you, it's a take it or leave it.  However, they will add plumbing in the kitchen, so converting it to 2 separate sinks and faucets will only be another $700-800 once you closed.
The good thing is that it's all-inclusive, and you get all appliance and even Window shades.

I'll try to attach some pictures and pricing, add another 30K, which will go for Shul, Mikvah, and all Schools, then another 2K-22K for the property depending on your lot (Simply put, they charge more for better lots that are larger or more private etc.)
There is a big 10-acre property right outside of the community (you can see it in the Aerial view pic), and they already signed contract on it, that's going for a Shopping center and all schools and yeshivos etc.
I think that adding 30K is fair for now, but I wonder where this money will go if they are successful and fill everything up. I would love to hear an explanation on this.

For School, they hired Rabbi Klein from Bais Sarah, he is not moving out, but he will be on top of it and hire the staff.

While Rabbi Tausig will open the first shul, his dream is to have another shul for every 100 homes.

He also mentioned that you could purchase a property or home outside of the community and build your own home, but he does want 30K if you're going to be part and benefit from all amenities and services.

They also spoke about the school choice/Student Scholarship program and employment opportunities.

I think this pretty much sums it up. All in all, most of the crowd seemed very enthusiastic and excited; Hashem is the only one who knows what will happen with this project.

Feel free to ask questions, but remember, I'm not representing the Taussig's here; hence, I may not be able to answer all of your questions.

[Lurker]

Thanks for the update!

[Lurker]

Their monthly payment is missing the property insurance, which will most likely be escrowed and included in the monthly payment. I'm not sure about insurance rates in that area, but it will likely add between $250-400/mo.

Another thing to look into is their calculation for debt-to-income needed for a mortgage. I don't know that there are lenders who will allow 100% DTI, but I'm no expert.

[Dan]

No bathtubs in master bath? Only one shared bathroom for main floor bedroom?
Really surprising that newly built homes are so small, plus there's no basement for storage.

[Lurker]

No bathtubs in master bath? Only one shared bathroom for main floor bedroom?

Which floor plan are you looking at?

[mendyt]

Their monthly payment is missing the property insurance, which will most likely be escrowed and included in the monthly payment. I'm not sure about insurance rates in that area, but it will likely add between $250-400/mo.

Another thing to look into is their calculation for debt-to-income needed for a mortgage. I don't know that there are lenders who will allow 100% DTI, but I'm no expert.

He said it should run between 900-1300 yearly, which makes sense based on a quick google search. Don't know why it was not included on the sheet.

[mendyt]

No bathtubs in master bath? Only one shared bathroom for main floor bedroom?
Really surprising that newly built homes are so small, plus there's no basement for storage.

Thats right, definitely built on the cheaper side.
The Master has no tub, but the space is large enough to add it yourself.

[Dan]

Thats right, definitely built on the cheaper side.
The Master has no tub, but the space is large enough to add it yourself.

Isn't this being built for frum people? Don't most frum women want a bathtub in their bathroom?
Everything is cheaper when done in bulk up front...

[Dan]

Which floor plan are you looking at?

All?

[Lurker]

He said it should run between 900-1300 yearly, which makes sense based on a quick google search. Don't know why it was not included on the sheet.

That sounds ridiculously low. South FL is a little different, but it runs between $3500-6500 for similar houses here. Hurricanes are a thing. I can get you info for an insurance agent here who may be able to get more accurate numbers.

[mendyt]

That sounds ridiculously low. South FL is a little different, but it runs between $3500-6500 for similar houses here. Hurricanes are a thing. I can get you info for an insurance agent here who may be able to get more accurate numbers.

http://letmegooglethat.com/?q=property+insurance+rates+hillsborough+county

[mendyt]

Isn't this being built for frum people? Don't most frum women want a bathtub in their bathroom?
Everything is cheaper when done in bulk up front...

Thats right, but D.R. Horton does not want to change ANYTHING.
The original dream was in Pasco County where they did have the flexibility of customizing the homes.
It is what it is, take it or leave it.

[Lurker]

http://letmegooglethat.com/?q=property+insurance+rates+hillsborough+county

Further down the page:

Average homeowners insurance cost in Florida

 The average cost of homeowners insurance in Florida is $3,643, based on data from Insurance.com.Aug 4, 2020

Speak to an agent.

[ad120]

That sounds ridiculously low. South FL is a little different, but it runs between $3500-6500 for similar houses here. Hurricanes are a thing. I can get you info for an insurance agent here who may be able to get more accurate numbers.

No hurricanes on the west coast of Florida.