Diane Pearson, who fought North Port code fees, could now lose home to foreclosure

A single mother who was instrumental in reversing North Port’s harsh code-enforcement policies could now lose her home to foreclosure. Last year, North Port tried to collect $27,000 in fines from Diane Pearson because a car in her driveway did not have a license plate. Pearson’s court battle became a rallying cry in North Port …

Phoenix condominium project flourishing

Less than 18 months after acquiring the former Century Plaza high-rise condo tower in central Phoenix, the owners of One Lexington condominiums said they have sold out 85 percent of the project, an average of about one unit every three days. Developers Rob Macdonald and Robert Hubbard, of British Columbia-based Macdonald Development Corp., said it’s …

Making garage doors stand up to hurricanes

Did you know your garage door may be the most vulnerable part of your home to hurricane damage? That’s because it is typically the largest opening in a home. If left unsecured, the garage door is susceptible to 100-plus-mph winds that can cause it to buckle, allowing wind to penetrate the garage, potentially rip apart …

Is there money to be made in home flips? [Southern California]

Home flipping follows an assembly-line process.Investors who work in teams scout for bargains, close quickly with cash, gut and beautify, and market the homes to agents — all while the timer’s ticking. If everything goes right, their money and muscle will yield enough profit to keep that machine churning.“It’s not for the weak of heart,” …