All Forum Posts by: Marelyn Valdes

@Alexandra Cernasov You might want to check Martindale's peer reviews of Aaron Thalwitzer, Esq before you hire him from Cocoa Beach to handle a case in Marion County. https://www.martindale.com/organization/gordon-thalwitzer-at...   Fellow attorneys rate him 1.5 or 2.5 out of 5.  

Maybe all of the investors should file a complaint with the Florida Attorney General - https://www.myfloridalegal.com/consumer-protection/consumer-...

https://www.lawmrm.com/jon-mcgraw/  Just call and make an appointment or request one online on his site. 

With all the negative comments and concerns over the houses not being completed per the contract dates, perhaps all the investors should speak to a local real estate attorney and see if they can get their money back or other concessions.  I personally used Jon McGraw in the past and he is extremely knowledgeable in the field.  It's certainly worth the cost of having him review the contracts and inform you of your rights.

@John Underwood It's the World Equestrian Center drawing a lot of high dollar competitors to Ocala, in addition to the long standing HITS circuit (Hunters in the Sun). WEC is expanding and has a fabulous facility with air conditioned barns, the best hotel in Ocala, shopping, a vet hospital and more. They even created their own STR rentals nearby and Golden Ocala has expensive STR's. Vacant land nearby is selling for $100,000 an acre or more and farms with barns or homes are well over $1M.

I would contact the local state attorney and explain you were told he was licensed and insured and explain the fraud he committed.  Make copies of the documents and send to them and ask to file charges.  Although a permit was needed (most dishonest contractors will get the homeowner to pull a permit themselves) you are out of state and relied on his assertions. Did you sign a contract listing what was covered?  I know of a local "contractor" that works the way yours did, including buying every tool needed for the job and then keeping them.  Ask if that is theft by deception.  DO NOT PAY HIM ANY MORE MONEY.  As Mr. Karg state, file a complaint with the DPBR and google your contractor.  Recently several local news stations have investigated crooked contractors and they have been arrested.  Also check the clerk of court to see if there have been other lawsuits involving him.  My fear would be that he pocketed all the money and didn't pay the subs or suppliers, who may put a lien on the property.  BTW, if I buy tools for workmen on my properties, they are my tools.   If they are not included in your contract, then see if you can file theft charges for him taking them.

@Kim N.I always have sent a check with "return of security deposit in full" in the notation line and mail it to the last known address.  I don't use Zelle, so don't know if that's sufficient, but as long as you can show it's the return of the entire deposit amount to the ex-tenant, it should work.  

I rented my old home to someone I knew at reduced rent and had my property stored in one locked bedroom.  When they moved I found they had opened the room and prowled through my items.  Their excuse was that they were just curious what was in there.  I would never do that again, even though I don't think they took anything.

Timber harvest companies usually have a 10 acre minimum (and leave stumps all over).  You rarely get much if any rent for leasing to a farmer.  You would have to check if that small a parcel is zoned AG or not.  What you get is the lower taxes if you can AG it.  RV storage is very big in the Ocala area, as most people can't park them in their yards.  Your area may be the same.  You would have to decide whether or not to have cover, pave the lot or do gravel, electrical hookups (maybe pay as you go), and whether you allow renters to stay in the RV at all or work on them.

If you loan her the money, I would have her put your name on the deed for that percentage of ownership in the new house.  Then help her find a decent realtor to sell her current home and if she repays you, deed your share back to her.  BTW, I have had to show proof of funds on any cash offer I have made in Florida.