Jeanne M. Gavish, CIPS,GRI,SRES,SFR Keller Williams Realty Elite Partners

Why Are Banks Demolishing Foreclosed Homes? I have had this topic brought to my attention by a couple people who know that I am a blogger, wondering what I thought of this phenomena. I can only relate to it from a personal perspective.

In Florida, even with an "As Is" short sale transaction, the seller is bound by Florida Law to disclose any known facts that are not readily observable that materially affect the value of a property.

Lenders do not have this obligation. They claim they have no knowledge. This makes no sense to me, since any insurance claim results in a check made out to the owner and the lender. So how can they not know?

Nevertheless, the lenders make a disclaimer that they have "no knowledge" of any defects and make no warranties to the condition of the home. In Florida, a short sale owner is still bound to the duty to disclose any defects. For all of the bad press that short sales receive, this is one advantage over foreclosed homes. This information helps buyers who may otherwise end up buying unrepaired sinkhole homes. Beware of buying For Sale By Owners who do not think they have to disclose this information.

Taking my primary residence of 24 years as an example, I had a flood in 2008 in the upstairs bathroom of my 3 story home. Because of the Insurance Company refusing to give me enough money to fix my home, my home was overtaken by deadly black molds (Stachybotrys, Penicillium, Aspergillus (farmers lung), and Cladosporium.

I received so many calls from prospective buyers, and I could not in good conscience put this home on the market, or allow anyone inside, due to the health hazards that almost killed me and my family.

When my home was finally foreclosed, the listing agent assigned to it called me. When I told him of the hazards, he was so disturbed he said he did not want to enter the home. Hopefully as a result, my home will be one of the ones demolished. The Health Department for the State has indicated it will be. It will be a sad day but I do not wish the health issues we endured on anyone.

Things are not always as they appear, and many of these homes ase so toxic they need to be destroyed, at least in Florida.
,

The Second Annual National Dance Day is July 30.  All around the Country, in Six Flags Parks, in local Zumba Classes throughout the Nation, in Living Rooms, Everywhere!  People will be celebrating movement and participating.  Will you? 

Dancing is a wonderful and joyful way to get moving and promote good health.  National Dance Day was recognized by Congress last year, as over 30 percent of Americans are obese, and grassroots movements to promote healthy living are being recognized.  On July 6th, 3 dance routines were introduced on the So You Think You Can Dance website.

So you think your a dancer?  Check out the Master Class video and learn the routine.  If you're not up to the challenge you can try the Intermediate Intensive video.  For the rest of us?  It's the EVERYBODY DANCE!

In Spring Hill Florida, at Gold Gym, we have been practicing the EVERYBODY DANCE after our normal Zumba Class, preparing for the July 30th event.  On Saturday July 30th, we will be videotaping our class dancing and post it on You Tube.  Dance 4 Your Life! will be grabbing clips from all around the Nation post a collage of dancing to celebrate health and movement.

There's still time to get your groove on!  Learn the moves and dance in your living room, dance at your  gym, dance anywhere, just dance!

Visit Dance 4 Your Life! for more information.

This is a great video post from a USDA expert who describes the difference in correcting a deficiency on a credit report and getting a new score, which can take 3-5 days, versus credit dispute, which can take weeks. Check out this great, informative video that explains the benefits of challenging incorrect information, versus challenging charges in order to skew the scores. Most importantly, have a trusted and knowledgeable mortgage professional whose ethics match your own. Today's lending climate is unusual at best.

P.S. http://www.usdaloanpro.com/what-is-credit-rescoring/ Here is the direct link. It appears that I have a flaw in my link. Thanks all for the heads up.

They say the more you know, the more you know you don't know! This was especially true for me last night as I sat through a FAIR HOUSING TRAINING seminar last night offered by the Florida West Coast Chapter of NARPM.

First of all, I am a Florida Licensed Real Estate Instructor. Secondly, I have had a real estate license for 21 years, 14 of which as a Real Estate Broker. I thought I was pretty smart regarding the ins and outs of Fair Housing.

So let's see if you are:

Have you ever seen a symbol like this of someone's faith on their business card? Violation of Fair Housing Law if they are in any business that relates to housing.

How about using "Active Adult Community" in your advertising? (Oops, somebody better tell this National Builder!) This wording is a Violation of Fair Housing Law on TWO counts! The first is Active, which is a violation against the protected class of People with Disabilities. The second is a violation against Family Status, which forbids discrimination against families with children.

But Wait? I thought "The Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995" exempted this type of community? Actually, it does. The permitted advertising words (and this includes the community sign) are

• Housing for Older Persons
• 55+
• Retirement
• Senior

The Fair Housing Continuum, Inc. gave a riveting (yes, riveting) and interactive presentation on Complying with Federal, State and Local Fair Housing Laws, Setting Policies to Pass Fair Housing "Testing, and Keys to Avoicing Fair Housing Liability. Their Mission is to Ensure Equal Housing Opportunity and Eliminate Discrimination in Florida.

As a Professional Property Manager, I was very impressed by their presentation. We sometimes have problems with Homeowner's Associations who harass and intimidate Landlord Owners and their Tenants. It was explained that most of the Association Rules are defined by people who live in the community, and the attorney who represents the Association is rarely well versed in Fair Housing Law. I was relieved to know there was an ally I could call, instead of having to incur or have my Landlord Owners incur legal fees to defend their rights under the Law.

It was well worth my time and I came away with much more knowledge than I ever expected to learn.