Lessons learned from IRMA.

Looking back on Irma 2017

Consumer update.

IRMA came quickly but not without warning!

• This isn't about staying or leaving  as Irma made her impending arrival known.
• The fact that FEMA never came out to check on us after our daughter called, because we were cut off while talking on the phone, after the storm hit, to see if we were alright.
• Or having to have 17 mature pines and palms removed leaving our property looking like a war zone.
• Or having no power or real hot food for 10 days.

NO!

The beginning of the problem started when we began to access any damage to our home. Yes, we were luckier than many when we realized the roof had tiles that were lifted, cracked or moved around. But the process of finding someone to make the repairs without taking advantage of us, was where it all began.

• Our regular roofer, I called who we learned to trust over the years; we certainly understood that there were many people with our same problem and that we needed to wait our turn. 
• wouldn't come out to access the damage or let us know what could/should be done to make our roof hole again,
• told us without even looking at the roof that they needed 50% up front before they would even look, or help us with the insurance claim,  scare tactics.
• So we felt forced to look elsewhere.

It started after we thought we had enough information and trust as we selected our contractor. There was much back and forth between the contractor who said, "you will not have to pay anything even the deductible" and our insurance carrier; later came to realize this was a play on words. 

"As a consumer thrown into a very unfamiliar situation you find yourself prey and this contractor used that. "

In May 2018 we gave the contractor 1/4 of the total contracted amount but they did not start until  August 30, 2018.

• At that time they started to remove the old roof and prepare for the new going from tile to metal; which took them about 1 week when underlayment was installed over entire roof,
• metal delivered on September 11, 2018,
• so looks like we are well underway, right!!!!

Well on September 13, 2018 at 9:30 PM a large noise alerted us and we turned on the outdoor lighting; thinking it had to be a large tree. WRONG, our entire pool cage collapsed onto the pool area so we stared to take pictures. 

The next morning we began to access what had happened only to find that the structure had been pried away from the roof then a saw was used around the entire structure which removed all support. 

Saw marks

Immediately called my insurance company and got 3 enclosure contractors  to look at and send me quotes for the work to remove and replace the enclosure.

My insurance carrier has denied our claim because it was caused by the contractor.

So 60 days later and the contractor has refused to take responsibility even after our insurance company sent out an engineer to evaluate the situation. His findings were clear, confirmed by the many pictures and measurements he had taken;  with that information he determined that the construction company was at fault so the insurance refused our claim.

Here is where we are; 

• Fighting with a contractor whose workers were negligent in what they did to our enclosure. They have insurance for such things but are refusing to take responsibility.
•  Attornies Morgan and Morgan and Sean King who advertise extensively here will not handle the dispute because the monitory value is not high enough for them.
• an unfinished roof, with a questionable area clearly visible from the front of our home.

• payment now at 50%.

My take away at this point;

• Don’t Panic!
•  As long as nothing has landed on the roof and water is coming in, try to take  a little time to evaluate the situation before spending any money.
• Try to be on the property or have someone you trust on the property when any work is being done,
• Select your contractor from the area where you live,
• DO NOT select a General contractor,
• Select a contractor specializing in your particular situation, ie roofer, plumber, electrician,
• DO NOT SELECT a larger company based all around the country,
• Check the internet for comments on any company you are considering,
• Be sure any disputes have been taken care of and if possible call the complainant for additional feed back,

 

So, Your building a new home in Naples!

Decisions you should have already made;

• What does you and your families lifestyle require;
• Geographic location; Park Shore, Moorings, Coquina Sands, Olde Naples Port Royal and Royal Harbour;
• Gated community or Free standing;
• Gated, we have 73 plus gated communities in the Naples area, will present association fees of one sort or another in addition to your taxes and day to day expenses.
• Free standing, as I like to call it, will give you more property, NO association fees, but you will of course be obligated to pay your taxes and day to day expenses such as you require for your life style.
• You have now visited so many newly constructed Open Houses; l know because I see many of you at my New construction Open Houses,  you are more confused as to what you want than before, look forward to seeing you at my next Open House;
• Once you have secured the land you are in a better position to sit down with an Architect, Naples has many architects, or two and decide which you trust with this new project of yours;
• This choice can be based on price, referrals you have received on their work or just as simple as who can get your drawings the quickest?
• Now on to the Builder; again many new Builders have risen in the Beach corridor of Naples, that being the area west of US 41 ie, The Tamiami Trail North on the West to Royal Harbour on the south and Park Shore on the North ending at Pine Ridge Rd.
• Interior designers, these folks will help you with what type of faucet, sinks, tiles, paint etc will best complement your new home.

My special note to you as you complete this task; be sure you have detailed lists, to put into binders, of everyone and everything that has been build into this home you will remember me years down the road for this advise, which I will share has come from many of my buyers and sellers over the years.

I wish you Luck!

WOW factor, What is yours?

Buyers come to me with many different criteria!

• Price
• Cash or mortgage
• Square footage
• Bedrooms, baths
• Location
• Amenities

But recently my buyers criteria in Old Naples included the WOW factor but has yet to identify what it is.  So as I begin my search I am trying to determine just what it might be.  This homes WOW factor was its closeness to the beach.

What is your WOW factor?

Here in Naples we have one significant "Season".

Most of us grew up with and are aware of the Four Seasons of the year; Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall or Autumn!

Here in Naples we have one significant "Season".

• As a Home Owner "Season" could be described as the time of the year; when you can not get into your favorite restaurant, or park your car close to your favorite store or make an appointment (for anything) for the next day, or get to 5th Ave S in 15 minutes. Or park near the beach unless you get an early start.
• As a Winter Vacationer, "Season" is described as the time of year they make reservations to rent a condo or single family home to enjoy the warm winter months, averaging 75 degrees during the day. It is another part of their life. 
• As a REALTOR, "Season" is when our vacationers turn into Buyers and our home owners turn into "Sellers". It's like when Marshall Fields used to decorate their store fronts with all the prized merchandise and include fun displays to attract the buyers attention. Our Naples displays include, "For Sale" and "Open House" signs.   

How do we REALTORS know that the "Season" is here or has started; the car carriers start to arrive with as many as eight cars per drop all over Naples, every day and every make you can imagine.  

Which community will see the most carriers hard to tell!  Old Naples, Aqualane, Port Royal, Pelican Bay, Grey Oaks, Tiburon, Vanderbilt Beach, Parkshore/Moorings area, Imperial Golf, Naples Square - new construction? 

What  are your current real estate wants and needs? Start your search here! Then contact me for your private showing or more information on any property.

Agnes Tabor REALTOR®,
ABR® - Accredited Buyers Agent
e-PRO® - Electronic Internet Professional
MCNE - Master Certified Negotiation Expert
239-564-0384
agnes@agnestabor.com

Benefits of moving to Naples Florida!

"Did you know the City of Naples has approximately "

• 6,686 residential structures
• 1,264 commercial structures 
• 43 high-rise structures
• 7,666 acres or 11.98 sq. miles of land
• The city limit area is 16.47 square miles
• A total population of 19,537
• 2012 total market value $ 17,730,212,166

City Ratings: 

• The City of Naples currently is rated a Class 2 (Fire Rating) Community by the ISO (Insurance Services Organization). A Class 1 rating is the highest rating and a 10 rating is the lowest. This high rating benefits our residents by allowing them to purchase property insurance at a reduced rate.
• The City of Naples has once again been awarded a Class 6 rating by the CRS (Community Rating System). This high rating allows residents to realize a 20% reduction in the cost of obtaining flood insurance. 
• The City of Naples currently rated a Class 3 BCEGS (Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule) for both residential and commercial buildings. A Class 1 rating is the highest rating and a Class 10 is the lowest. This high rating benefits our residents by allowing them to purchase property insurance at a reduced rate.

What  are your current real estate wants and needs; start your search here https://homeasap.com/agneshtabor ?

Agnes Tabor, Florida Licensed Real Estate Professional 

REALTOR®,

ABR® - Accredited Buyers Agent

e-PRO® - Electronic Internet Professional

MCNE - Master Certified Negotiation Expert

239-564-0384

agnes@agnestabor.com

Naples Florida

I am an 

ABR-Accredited Buyers Representative!

• What does that mean, why would you need me,
• Can you help me negotiate, price, conditions etc,
• Will you be there throughout the transaction process,
• Do I need you if buying new construction,

My job is to first listen to you, my buyers, to determine your motivation, time line, lifestyle, what are your families "Wants and Needs" and  budget.

• Is this an investment,
• Permanent residence,

Geographic location is first, whether to be close to the beach, in a golf community or a preferred school district?

What  are your current real estate wants and needs?

Agnes Tabor REALTOR®,
ABR® - Accredited Buyers Agent
e-PRO® - Electronic Internet Professional
CNE - Certified Negotiation Expert
239-564-0384  agnes@agnestabor.com