[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

A visit is NOT mandatory. Many of the reasons you cited, you also answered in your post.

If a brand new house is desired, then the southern section is (mostly) the answer.

Taxes can be determined for existing houses (approximately) by looking up the property on the respective county websites.

An amazing amount of information can be found out via the internet. Forums, like this one, FEMA flood maps, county tax rates, satellite views of the area, & in some cases, Google street views.

But most importantly, a visit will not tell you about your potential neighbors. Unless, you settle on a house & try to visit the specific houses around your purchase. Very difficult, for all sorts of reasons - they may be out golfing during the day, they may be out dancing at night. They may be visiting relatives out of state. Theoretically the older areas have older residents, but those initial buyers may have been moving on. A newer area might have a many rentals. The best advice is to try & find a house you like in a village you like.

Why in the world would anyone buy a house in a development they have never been too? Can learn a lot by reading online but nothing takes the place of boots on the ground and doing lots of exploring.