Lady friend Sue Brooks and I took a close look at this vacant home in Vero Beach, Florida and discovered we could purchase it for less than I paid for a camper just a few years ago. We know when things appear too good to be true, they probably are. But....

SNOW-BIRDS? Maybe--

Long-time Bellville friends Dick and Jan Shafer recently relocated their Florida snow-bird digs from a rental on the southeast coast to ownership of a modular home in Vero Beach.

They wound up with a two-bedroom model in excellent condition which they bought furnished for less than most folks pay these days for a modest priced new car.

And, by furnished, I mean completely—right down to spices in the kitchen and food in the freezer.

When they told us about similar offerings in their development, lady friend Sue and I drove down for look-see during a brief holiday vacation.

We were not disappointed.

The second place we visited was a similar, but unfurnished, two-bedroom modular just down the street.

It went on the market awhile back in the lower teens but had been de-valued to $9,000 and dropped to $4,000 before we even discussed any negotiations.

Here’s why: Not only is their real estate market depressed like most other places in the US, these homes are in a development where the land is rented at costs ranging from about $515 to $630 per month—the latter being lakeside lots.

The rental is not unlike fees charged for condo living and, in this case, also include a massive and modern recreation center/pool with tons of scheduled activities, some utilities, and lawn and street maintenance. This place also is a “gated” community but that protection is marginal, even when the gate is working.

This home (pictured) was long owned and cared for by an aging couple. Then, the husband died and the widow, at her daughter’s encouragement, moved to be close to her in Jacksonville.

But, that left her facing the continuing rental costs which quickly consume the home’s value. In fact, if this doesn’t sell soon she will simply abandon it to the ownership of the park where it will either be used as a rental or sold at a similarly depressed cost.

A quick calculation shows annual rental would be about $6,200 for this home—which happens to be far below the cost of renting something comparable for just a few months during the winter season.

Insurance is not a factor for most folks. It simply is not affordable when an annual premium easily exceeds this level of investment.

So, at this writing, we are beginning to explore our personal options as an unmarried couple. I have a canine partner who is very much part of the decision-making process. Sue is rapidly approaching retirement.

Is the benefit/cost/risk ratio in our favor?

We’ll keep you informed.

As I compose this blog story and I am looking out the window of my Ohio home at modest snowfall with temperatures in the teens. It is very easy for me, indeed, to envision writing some future story while enjoying the view from this front porch of the house pictured above.