Gardening Methods

why are homes in the USA – such as Florida – so cheap?

I live in the UK. When I see programmes about people thinking of buying houses in the USA I am amazed that houses in desirable areas such as Florida seem to be so cheap to buy. Big houses, small price.
There must be a catch somewhere, or Americans would buy up all the houses advertised at a bargain price.
All I can think of is that there expensive hidden charges, such as the cost of repairing the roads and footpaths outside the Florida homes. And high charges for other services, like water, gas, electricity, phones, as well as compulsory fees for maintaining individual gardens and communal grassed areas and flower beds.
I am sure that lots of people will be able to tell me whether it is cheap or expensive to live in Florida, once the house itself has been paid for.

Because some are made with cheap materials. Especially mobile homes, which many are not up to code, and can be destroyed by the storms we’ve been known to get here recently. Concrete Block or steel is possibly the best protection against severe weather.
Hurricanes and tornadoes are not fun, so if your home needs to be improved, there are mere days before the next big storm is scheduled to hit!! ( A weatherman friend had informed me that something is coming across FL very soon.)

Houses here in FL range anything from $150K to $1.2 million. Most of the new homes built in my county average $250-$450K. That is not cheap to me. $60K-$90K is cheap, but those homes are around 15-20 years old or more, and just need much remodeling done to upgrade them. There are some developers slashing prices or including more amneties with the home, such as throwing in a free car or motorcycle with purchase. Or adding on more appliances or increasing space in a room, such as using a built-in for storage, etc.

With all the new houses and neighborhoods going up, and the retail centers, etc, and the current drought conditions, we are having a TIME trying to find water and utilities for residents here, and there are sinkholes and other issues in spots, and all the weather craziness(like hurricane season and our recent wildfire frenzy)….so that is the problem, as well as FL homeowners insurance, and such. I wish we could catch a break soon, or else I want to move out of here!

Garden Gates UK