All Forum Posts by: Marelyn Valdes

This happened at one of my old rentals in Tampa and the branch crushed my carport as well as the tenant's van underneath.  The rule is if it's a dead tree, you must notify the neighbor in writing (send certified return reciept) of the dead tree or they don't have any liability.  In my case, my insurance paid for replacing the electric to the house and the carport less my deductible.  The tenant did not have comprehensive and ended up with a totaled van and no money.  You are allowed to remove any branches overhanging the property line unless it will kill the neighbor's tree.  Check with your insurance agent.

I would just notify them that you are going up on the rent, but not to market value.  I always notify the tenant that the rent will be "X" starting in 30 days and if they choose to move to notify me by return mail.  Normally my rents are raised between $50 and $100 a month each year, rather than raising to the market level and my tenants tend to stay put.  I wouldn't wait to raise the rent because you never know what the govt. will do next and they may do another eviction moratorium, so best to make whatever move you want now.

Have you checked the regulations on Airbnb's in Miami?  https://www.miamidade.gov/buil...   Read the rules - I doubt they are registered and paying taxes.  Did you see the required notice posted when you inspected?  

Enforcement

Violations to the standards provided in these regulations as well as other provisions of the County Code are subject to the civil penalties schedule provided in Chapter 8CC of the Miami-Dade County Code of Ordinances.

Operating a vacation rental without a Certificate of Use is a violation of the County Code and the civil penalty schedule is as follows:

• 1st Offense = $100
• 2nd Offense within 24 months of 1st offense = $1,000
• 3rd Offense within 24 months of most recent of the preceding offenses as well as subsequent offenses = $2,500

Penalties accrue and a lien may be placed on the property if the fines, enforcement costs and administrative costs are not paid or the violation not corrected.

@Iris More I am in Ocala and use Suzanne Wigginton at Homerun Realty for my transactions 352-875-3594.  I also recommend First International Title for closings - fast service and they try to save on fees when possible.

The title company handling your closing should have a record of the agents and their brokerage information to pay their commissions after the closing.

You might check with Royal Shell Real Estate in Ocala, FL. They have STR's in Golden Ocala Gold and Equestrian Club next to the World Equestrian Center and manage the STR's. From their website:

"Royal Shell has more than 500 vacation rental homes on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and about 1,500 mainland and island homes throughout Southwest Florida, and in Ocala and North Carolina. We can accommodate nightly, weekly, monthly and annual stays. Additionally, our homes come in a variety of styles and sizes. In fact, some homes can sleep up to 16 people.

"

https://www.wfla.com/8-on-your...

If you plan on building, the current wait time to get a new well drilled is 2 months or more and most homes not in HOA areas are on wells and septic tanks. My realtor does build MF's at reasonable prices. PM me if you want her contact information. When I spoke to the manager of the new World Equestrian Center, they are filling their RV spots and people are looking for STR's and the hotel is also filling up - they are building a larger hotel at their recently purchased Ocala Jockey Club. There are very few SFH rentals available in the Ocala area and prices keep going up. Finding a place to buy at a reasonable price is almost impossible lately and anything that comes up is under contract the first day or two.

@Ronald Allen Barney don't think distressed properties are easy to buy. I just did a full price cash offer, no contingencies on a fixer upper that was dirty and smelled awful (cats) - needed a new roof, doors, windows, both bathrooms and a new kitchen as well as most of the windows and a lot of pressure washing. I saw it the day before it hit the MLS at $96,000 for a 3/2 and every time I went past it had lookers in the yard. It was under contract in 2 days and I didn't get it. I saw couples checking it out and believe HUD preferred a homeowner, but the requirement was move in within 60 days or be subject to a $10,000 fine and there was no way I could get it ready for my daughter in that amount of time. The selling agent told my agent they didn't even have time to clean the house and the appliances shown in the original pictures were not there when it was listed for sale.

Check out the new World Equestrian Center - huge and still growing and has a large residential area (very expensive).  There are numerous distribution centers north of HWY 27 next to the interstate (Fed Ex, Autozone, Chewy, Amazon, and a new one being built).  There is a lack of rental housing (and over a 6 month backlog of new homes at Top of the World - 55+) and The Villages is always expanding (also 55+ community). I personally do not buy in Marion Oaks, The Shores, or the Ocala National Forest areas.  I have lived in Ocala since 2003 and still don't know the small pockets that are good in those neighborhoods.  

I just purchased a 2/2 older mobile home in Ocala Estates for $50,000 on 2 lots that I am rehabbing and expect to rent for $950 a month.  There seems to be a lot of new construction in that area and 1/4 acre lots are still inexpensive.  Roads are paved and high speed internet is available.  You might be able to buy a double lot and build a duplex for $200,000.   If you are interested in a new duplex, my realtor works with a contractor that specialized in duplexes, so feel free to message me.

 I also stay out of the city limits since there is less regulation and taxes are lower. There are several new developments (luxury apartments over retail) going in downtown.  It's a historical area, so a great place to live, but a lot of regulations.