looking at buying a 2nd home

[renovation]

wife and I are thinking about getting a winter getaway in Spring Hill ,Fl .
my plan is to drive down in about a month. we found some that are really good deals in are price range.
we have a one thing going for us.this is we can play the waiting game if we fine what we want. so we be looking at short sales and foreclosures. if we can get a extra home warrienty for a free year if anything go's wrong whats your thoughts on them .
from what im seeing online im really suprized what im able to pickup right now for around $50,000

2100 - 2300 sf ,3 bedroom ,2 bath , central air, 2 car attached garage ,good size lot ,screened in inground pool ,ready to move in ,all built around 1985- 1995 with brick or block construction . some are even on water (canal to a lake) in florida you want block or brick home.
im going to have it inspected before i buy do as florida constuction is diffrent then here in michigan and im not up on all the codes so i could really miss a problem and not know it till its to late.
even with my 25 plus years of working in the field.

[cruelpupet]

First thing on my mind with Florida, especially with foreclosures, is the changing neighborhoods. Are there many sales/forclosures in that neighborhood, are you buying into an area that you wont want to vacation in a year?

Next Id check to see the elevation of the property in relation to the sea, and how often is it in the path of a hurricane? Are you going to be able to get to the house to board up windows, or have friends down there who might be able to?

[renovation]

First thing on my mind with Florida, especially with foreclosures, is the changing neighborhoods. Are there many sales/forclosures in that neighborhood, are you buying into an area that you wont want to vacation in a year?

Next Id check to see the elevation of the property in relation to the sea, and how often is it in the path of a hurricane? Are you going to be able to get to the house to board up windows, or have friends down there who might be able to?

all are good points in are case we are covered on the board up in case of a hurricane . its in a area just north of tampa and inland.
still checking on the area to see if its in a flood prone area. then insurance is very costly.

[attgig]

you were just saying that your debt to income ratio wasn't good enough for a refi. u sure you want to buy another house?

[renovation]

the only real problem is im self employed. so what shows for tax's is not the same as real income . I have been self employed now for like 20 years . we show the wifes 100 % of the wifes income but only what we have to on mine.