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 for others who battled the city over virtually limitless fines for code infractions.

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

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 a testament to the project’s quality and the area’s strong demand for convenient, environmentally responsible urban living at an affordable price.

Macdonald and Hubbard give a lot of credit to the project’s former developer, Equus Realty LLC, for undertaking an office-to-condo conversion project that they described as “visionary.”

via Phoenix condominium project flourishing.

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 a roof and eventually the rest of a structure.

How does a homeowner secure a garage? How much does it cost? Do you have to hire somebody, or can you do the work yourself? For answers, we turn to experts such as Jack Stumpff, president of Secure Enterprises. The Plantation company is a local manufacturer of garage door bracing systems that can withstand hurricane-force winds.

via Making garage doors stand up to hurricanes [South Florida].

Rent home, or sell and move on?

Q:I have been unemployed for about six months and have just secured a job in another city. I will reach retirement age in about six or seven years. I will most likely not retire in the new city I will be relocating.

Should I try to sell my current home and purchase a home in the new city? Or should I rent my current home and then rent something in a new city?

My home does need some work (new roof and painting, etc.). My home is worth about $200,000 and I owe about $75,000.

via Rent home, or sell and move on?.

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,” said Chief Denney, a Rancho Santa Fe investor whose company Compass Real Estate Capital will flip 100 homes this year. “It looks easy … but it could be disastrous for someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing.”

via Is there money to be made in home flips?.

CondoIt may be best to ‘grandfather’ baby into condo

Q: I live in a “55 and over” condominium. Presently, we have a couple who is expecting a baby. This couple was grandfathered when we became a “55 and over” community. What is the law governing this situation?

– R.A. (via email)

A: It is generally unlawful to discriminate in any activities relating to the sale or rental of a dwelling because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.

Familial status is defined as one or more individuals who have not yet attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with a parent or guardian or a designee of such parent. Therefore, a housing provider (which includes condominium and homeowners associations) cannot prohibit the sale, rental or occupancy of a unit simply because one or more of the occupants may be children, nor otherwise discriminate in the terms and conditions of housing against families with children.

via Joe Adams: CondoIt may be best to ‘grandfather’ baby into condo.