real estate: Fetch A Foto Friday......Choose quick!! Vanilla Shake or Unsweet Ice Tea? - 03/18/11 10:03 AM
This is the busy season for real estate in Florida. Snow birds, soon to be retirees, and lots of others just wanting to escape the cold winter come down, and many decide to make SW Florida their home.
After a long week of inspecting, this January photo popped up so I decided to share it. This is from the local Steak N Shake where they do have fantastic shakes. I ordered both that day, a vanilla shake and an unsweet iced tea.
Today, I'd opt for the Vanilla Shake, and may be heading there tonight for dinner. Which would you choose … (3 comments)

real estate: Home Builders Limited Liability in Chinese Drywall Homes?? - 11/16/10 07:54 AM
Judge Glenn Kelley in Palm Beach County says since home builders didn't manufacture defective drywall can not be held fully responsible for alleged damages.
This reduces builders liability to whatever their contract with the homeowner states. This will in most cases eliminate liability for home value or lost profits as well as health bills, stigma, etc.
Many attorney's that I've spoken to believe (at least in Florida) other state and federal courts will follow suit.
I have stated my opinion about defective drywall in many blogs and will again here. I believe the financial liability falls with the manufacturers of this … (7 comments)

real estate: Tax Relief For Chinese Drywall Homeowners In Florida - 06/02/10 07:17 AM
Looks like a little relief for homeowners of Chinese/Defective homes. Governor Charlie Crist signed a bill today that will give them the property tax break they deserve.
The new law requires tax assessments to be reduced reflecting the loss of value due to defective drywall. What's importants here is that the law includes defective imported OR domestic drywall.
The adjustment in value begins with the 2010 tax year and continues through 2017. At that time, it will be repealed unless re-enacted by the legislature.
Let's hope this problem is solved and homeowners are made whole by 2017!
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real estate: Lee County Home Sales up 9 Percent, a sign of recovery? - 04/23/10 02:52 PM
The Lee County housing market was up in March by 9 percent from a year ago to 1,603. The median price was up 7 percent to $95.100. according to the Florida Association of Realtors. While this a a good indicator of a recovery, there's reason to be cautious. Many of these sales were purchasers taking advantage of the federal tax credits which expire at the end of this month. I remain hopeful that the Lee County market will continue to thrive in part due to the number of foreclosure investor/flipper in our area, and possibly other incentives that may be offered to homebuyers. What … (3 comments)

real estate: Fetch a Foto Friday...What a Croc! - 04/23/10 02:22 AM
What a Croc!!! I was shopping at the Sanibel Outlet Shops which is located in Fort Myers just on the edge of the causeway to Sanibel Island. We had family down for a visit and never miss an opportunity to shop here. It's not a mega outlet center, just big enough for a couple hours, but ohhh the bargains. And of course, as a home inspector/home builder, the architecture is in the tradition of the old Florida style. The wrap-around porch creates the pathway to the stores.
What caught my eye this day wasn't the architecture or the upscale shops. It … (7 comments)

real estate: Clewiston Florida and Hawaiian Ice - 04/17/10 06:03 AM
I had the pleasure of visiting the town of Clewiston Florida. This is an old Florida town located in the middle of the state between Fort Myers on the west coast and Palm Beach on the east coast. I've passed through many times over the years and when I do I just have to stop at this little drive-through Hawaiian Shaved Ice. It's hard to believe all the Shaved Ice flavors and food that comes out of this tiny pink house. If you're ever passing through the state on route 80, stop by Hawaiian Shaved Ice.

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real estate: Foto Friday Bonus Rick's Music in Cape Coral Florida - 04/16/10 07:30 AM
While driving down Cape Coral Parkway in Cape Coral Florida I spotted a super mural of musicians in sillohouette. As you come over the Cape Coral bridge it'll be on your right hand side at 1411 Cape Coral Parkway East. This full service music shop offers everything from lessons to guitar repair, used instruments, sheet music & more. For more information head to their website: http://www.ricks-music.com/

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real estate: Foto Friday - 04/16/10 05:08 AM
This outlet is on the EXTERIOR of the house and is obviously wrong, dangerous, and needs to be corrected ASAP! Plugged into the outlet is an extension cord with 3 way splitter. Plugged into that is a cord that runs back into the house. GFCI protected? ...me thinks not! Plus, the GCFI cover is missing. This whole mess has been pulled off the A/C disconnect in order to hook up the GCFI....crazy!

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real estate: Any Ideas What Happens After April 30th? - 04/13/10 04:00 PM
The past few weeks have been crazy busy. The buzz we hear from Buyers on home inspections is "when can we get the report? .....the tax credit deadline is April 30th" Buyers are starting to worry about making the April 30th closing date. My concern is, what happens after April 30th? The tax credit at least here in SW Florida Cape Coral/Fort Myers has been a success in moving property. But, without this incentive, do you think Buyers will postpone purchasing?
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real estate: Homebuyers come to SW Florida from all over the globe - 04/11/10 03:53 PM
Here in SW Florida we have homebuyers from all over the world. I always learn a thing or two from homebuyers, but especially if they own property in another part of the globe. For instance, I did an inspection for a couple that live in Germany and are purchasing a second home here. They were thrilled to have so many closets in their Florida home. They said in Germany they typically don't have fixed closets and use wardrobe furniture closets instead. They were also amazed at how many electrical outlets were in their new home. In Germany they said they use many … (1 comments)

real estate: Should Banks Require Home Inspections? - 04/07/10 01:10 PM
I've noticed an increase of home inspections that are being required by the Buyer's bank. Sometimes it's just a 4 point inspection or a roof, other times it's a reinspection to make sure repairs have been done that were on the original report. The Buyer in all cases that I've dealt with are responsibility for the cost of these inspections.
Of course I dont' think anybody should consider buying a home without an inspection, but, should banks be requiring home inspections? They require appraisals, credit report etc. and it makes sense that they would want to mitigate future loses in case the Borrower can't afford a 10k cost for a new … (8 comments)

real estate: CPSC Says Chinese Drywall Should Be Removed Who Pays? - 04/05/10 05:51 PM
Well, Friday April 2nd two Federal agencies finally announced their findings on Chinese drywall. It is so bad that not only should the drywall be removed, the wiring, electrical components and gas service piping also have to be go. The announcement stopped short of advising removal of air conditioning equipment, window treatments, personal belongings, carpeting, furniture; surely these items would have to be replaced. One inspection on a Chinese drywall infected home and it's obvious.
The investigation determined Chinese drywall emits corrosive hydrogen sulfide and sulfur gases causing illness and could represent a fire hazard.
The question now is who's to … (4 comments)