Garth Schutte, 40, is under a conservatorship. His family isn't allowed to know where he is or speak to him. What's funding this is your tax dollars.

SACRAMENTO, Calif Garth Schutte, 40, has been taken by the state.

His mother, Jill, and older brothers, Ian and Russell, aren't allowed to speak to or see Garth. They don't know where he lives.

That's because Garth has been placed under a limited conservatorship.

In California, a conservatorship is a legal tool approved through the probate court which takes away the rights of someone who is unable to care for themselves and gives them to another person.

While general conservatorships strip someone of their civil rights entirely, limited conservatorships have seven separate powers that can be taken and given to another person depending on the conserved persons unique needs and ability to handle certain aspects of their lives.

But Garth has not been conserved by just anyone; he is under the custody of a $12 billion state agency:The Department of Developmental Services (DDS).

DDS serves hundreds of thousands of Californians with disabilities and their families with services and support. The Schutte family shared their story with us in hopes it will shine a light for others who receive these services especially those considering conservatorship.

360,000 people could potentially be subject to this system, said Ian.

360,000 is the number of people the Department of Developmental Services serves as of our interview. In 2023, that number is expected to increase to over 400,000.

I want to help as many of those 360,000 people as I can because even it just happening to one person is awful, said Ian.

We never expected anything like this, said Jill. If I couldve predicted this... we wouldve left the state of California.

Garth has developmental disabilities; autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, court and medical records show. For the first 39 years of his life, he relied on his mother to assist him with everyday things like showering, shaving and even using a catheter because ofa diagnosis of catatonia.

He was catheterized in the home and I was trained by three different medical staff, said Jill. Kaiser was providing all his medicine and his catheter, which was being mailed to the house. You cant buy catheters theyre prescription only.

The catheter is part of how Garths conservatorship began.

In Aug. 2020, record-breaking heat hit Sacramento. Jill noticed Garth wasn't eating or drinking quite as much and took him to the doctor.

Garth says things differently and he mentioned to one of the nurses, My mom puts a red plastic straw in my private part,'" Jill said.

Hospital staff are mandatory reporters. By law they have to report any sign of potential abuse Jill said Garth was trying to explain how he needed to be catheterized and it sent an abuse alert to Sacramento Adult Protective Services (APS) as well as Alta Regional Center the state-run facility under DDS providing services and support directly to people with disabilities as well as their families.

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When we look at California state law regarding mandated reporters, the reporters only report suspicions. Its the sheriff and police that do the investigation, said Jill. Adult Protective Services expand the investigation, not the regional center.

Yet court records show Alta Regional Center took Garth and placed him in a state-funded care facility.

Jill, Ian and Russell were not notified, despite Jill having Kaisers model of power of attorney over Garth.

For three months, no one told their family where Garth was.

We had absolutely no idea. They would not even say, is he in Sacramento? Jill said. We did not know.

This wasnt unfamiliar territory to the Schutte family.

Fifteen years prior, Garth had been taken by an Alta Regional Center employee who was helping watch Garth in Jills home. In court records, the regional center wrote Jill was unable to care for Garth, but a court investigators report later said Garth was taken in a deceptive manner.

The first time Garth was taken, it took Jill nine months and an attorney to get him back. 15 years later, in 2020, they were at a loss, which is why the Schutte family decided to get conservatorship over Garth, despite not doing so for Garths 39 years of life to help maintain his independence.

As they began the lengthy legal process, Garth was suddenly dropped off at Jills home by medical technicians after three months with no knowledge of his whereabouts.

I was shocked. I was thrilled, said Jill.

Less than 24 hours later, three Sacramento sheriffs deputies arrived saying Garth had been returned to Jill due to a clerical error.

The deputies took Garth outside and spoke with him alone. Ian recorded all 47 minutes the deputies were there; throughout the recording, Garth expressed his desire to remain at home with his mother to the deputies several times.

After Garth made his wishes clear and the deputies did a home inspection, their concern vanished.

Were glad hes got such a good home here, a deputy said.

The deputies updated Adult Protective Services and Alta Regional Center on their welfare check. Before leaving, one deputy offered the Schuttes advice: The most important thing you can do is go get that conservatorship as quickly as you can because thatll prevent them from pulling all this.

The Schutte family took it to heart and moved forward with the legal conservatorship process.

By petitioning the probate court for conservatorship, several things are instigated, including the court appointing an attorney for the potential conserved person.

The court appointed attorney Dewey Harpainter to represent Garth. Harpainters office is in Auburn.

As Garths attorney, Harpainter is legally required to advocate and represent what Garth wants. Jill says Harpainter refused to meet in person with Garth.

At one point I said, If youd like I can drive Garth up to Auburn. I will sit in the car so you can have private questioning with him,' Jill said. He denied that at least five times.

When the Schutte family attorney brought this up in court and requested a new attorney be appointed for Garth, the judge refused, Jill said and court records show.

At the time of our interview with the Schutte family in early June 2022, Harpainter had yet to meet with Garth.

That changed less than a month later after we reached out for an interview. Court records show Harpainter eventually met in person with Garth after we began investigating. The meeting took place just six days after our initial interview request to Harpainter.

Harpainter did not respond to repeated requests for an interview.

When a conservatorship is requested the court also appoints an investigator to interview the conservatee, assess the family dynamic, and write a report that goes directly to the judge.

The court investigator called me and we talked over many, many things, said Jill. I (also) encouraged him to talk to Garth privately.

After the investigator spoke with Garth in a one-on-one phone call, he wrote that Garth expressed a very strong desire to remain at home and told the investigator, (I) dont wanna go to a group home. I would like to live at home.

Criminal background checks were done on Jill and Russell who were petitioning for shared conservatorship custody. The investigators report also went through Adult Protective Services records and past abuse referrals, which were deemed inconclusive.

It means they didnt have evidence to confirm or deny Garth was abused, APS told us.

The court investigator recommended to the judge that his family care for Garth, and the conservatorship should be granted.

But the state regional center, Alta, told the judge a different story it claimed a number of allegations of abuse by the family from medical professionals in their written assessment of Garth.

Jill said shes had years of experience with Garth as well as a 22-year career as a disability expert for the California State of Rehabilitation and that, at no time did any doctor or professional advise me that anything being done was abusive.

The assessment also alleged Jill locked Garth in a windowless room, which Jill admits to, for Garths own protection. Because of his OCD, Garth often tries to break through the window glass in his room so he can pick up litter at all times of the day and night.

I mentioned that to a doctor the doctor said, Can you put a plywood or something based on the size of the window? Jill recalled.

She did, but not before she said she consulted with the fire department about it.

Its always putting Garth first, Jill said. His needs and wants but above his needs and wants... his safety.

The assessment also said Garth spoke directly to Roseville police after a lieutenant contacted Garth and the regional center following the Schutte's filing a missing persons report when Garth was taken in 2020. The assessment said Garth told the lieutenant he didn't want to return to his mothers house as well as recounted physical and sexual abuse by his mother and brother.

We reached out to the Roseville Police Department. They said they have no records of the call and therefore couldnt confirm it.

The regional center told the judge just because APS reports of abuse were inconclusive, it does not mean the claims are unfounded and that Jill and Russell would be inappropriate conservators.

Instead, they recommended the Department of Developmental Services be appointed as conservator. They also said DDS should ask for a power the family didnt: control over who Garth sees.

Ultimately, the judge listened to the regional center. He gave temporary conservatorship of Garth to DDS... not to the family as recommended by the court investigator.

With the conservatorship appointed, DDS decided Garth should move out of his mothers home and into one of their care facilities what they call a vendor.

After 39 years of living with Garth, Jill moved Garth into the new facility.

We did not want him to see our tears as we drove away, Jill recalled.

But the DDS care home struggled with Garth.

Because they couldnt help him sleep and he couldnt sleep - they call 911, Jill said she learned.

Court records show Garth had been hospitalized for 43 out of 88 days after being moved to care homes and under the care of DDS, meaning between November 2021 and February 2022 Garth spent about half his time at that point in emergency rooms rather than the care home.

Because Garth is under the conservatorship of DDS, taxpayers are footing the pricey ambulance rides and hospital stays.

One of the caretakers had so much trouble she actually asked for help from the family Garth had just been taken away from.

She would call (us asking), Can we come help her? Jill said. She actually wanted us to spend the night there.

Jill shared text messages between her and the care home facilitator with us. Here are a few, including the facilitator addressing the regional centers abuse allegations:

Garth no longer lives at this care home. Jill said he has moved residences five times in six months. With each move, Jills involvement in Garths life has been drastically cut by DDS, claiming Jill and Ian are triggering Garth. Jill believes whats triggering is the memory of the home Garth had with her.

As of mid-July 2022, Jill hadnt seen or spoken with Garth for 12 weeks. Visitation, including phone calls, between Garth and his family, has been severed... especially between Jill and Russel, the two who tried to get co-conservatorship.

We have not been (to his care home). We are not allowed to go there. We are not allowed to know the exact address, said Jill. We have not seen him or heard from him.

Its not for a lack of trying; Jill has repeatedly requested visitation with Garths regional center service coordinator, who is acting as his conservator in making decisions for Garth on behalf of DDS.

We cant provide you a date when you will be able to call or visit Garth, his service coordinator wrote in an email to Jill. She also said, Garth has not expressed any interest in having contact with you at this time.

Jill said shell respect his wishes, but wants to hear them from Garth himself.

Because we will follow the instructions, said Jill. [The regional center] could not do that.

We also reached out to Garths service coordinator asking to speak with Garth. Alta Regional Centers legal manager responded with the same message: Garth has expressed no interest in speaking with you.

We asked if Garth was informed that an investigative reporter wanted to speak with him and if we could ask him directly. We never got a response.

We were, however, able to speak with Garth directly during a visitation with his brother Russell.

Since DDS got conservatorship, Russell has laid low in hopes of continuing to remain in contact with Garth, unlike other family members who've lost all visitation. As of June 2022 he hadn't seen Garth for six months. Russell requested visitation and was approved. He, his wife Elizabeth, and their kids met at a local park while a care home worker supervised.

About halfway through their visit, we were able to speak with Garth.

I terribly miss my mom, Garth said.

When asked who he would like to live with, he told us his family, specifically his mom.

Garth also expressed the same desire weeks later directly to a judge.

On July 27, 2022, the Department of Developmental Services temporary conservatorship over Garth expired. The agency wanted to renew it and a court hearing was held in Sacramentos probate court.

Judge Gevercer granted us permission to film, despite DDSs repeated objections.

During the 40-minute hearing, the judge gave time for all to speak including Garth himself, who until this point has rarely had a voice in court.

I want to live with my mom, Garth said to the judge.

The judge told Garth to talk to his court-appointed attorney, Harpainter, about his desires. He also ordered DDS and the Schuttes to meet and hopefully reach an agreement over Garths current situation.

In the meantime, he extended DDSs conservatorship over Garth until the next hearing in December.

We requested an on-camera interview with the Department of Developmental Services for seven months. They declined all requests for interviews.

Prior to releasing our investigation, we sent them a three-page letter outlining our findings and asking 15 questions related to allegations of failed practices, including a 2022 state audit that found numerous failures for the last 10 years.

They refused to answer our questions and sent us a written statement (available in full at the bottom of this article) about how their priority was to keep their clients safe and a short video (below) of Director Nancy Bergmann reading the written statement. Neither answered any of our questions.

So, we attempted to talk to DDS attorney Meredith Nixon following the hearing. She also refused saying, no comment.

Two days prior to our investigation airing, the Department of Developmental Services announced immediate "actions to support" the individuals they conserve in a three-page press release. The release named three items DDS will do to improve the system for those in "conservatorships where DDS is the court-appointed conservator." They include forming a panel of experts to conduct a review of DDS' conservatorship program, forming a "working group" from multiple state departments to review their conservatorships, and "enhance oversight and review."

However, the press release didn't include direct actions or steps, like budgeting nor an exact time frame of when these items will take place. We reached out again asking for an interview so we could ask about the specifics of their new plan. They declined.

Jill had retired to care and spend more time with Garth. Following the hearing, she decided to return to work at an organization assisting people with autism, like Garth, so she can continue paying for the costly legal fees in hopes of gaining care for Garth.

The Schutte family plans to continue fighting in hopes of getting Garth home. They also hope in sharing their story, they shed a light on limited conservatorships and the system around it for others - as well as taxpayers.

Read this article:

'I want to live at home' | The battle of a conservatorship funded by tax dollars - ABC10.com KXTV

OLX Autos Outlook Business: Q&A

Spokesperson - Amit Kumar, CEO, OLX Group

To understand the trends in Indias automotive market we spoke to Amit Kumar, CEO, OLX Group on the road ahead for pre-owned cars in India and how COVID brought about a fundamental change in consumer behaviour towards the same.

Q1. Where do you see the trend of the growing popularity of used cars going in 2022? Has it slowed down? Has it accelerated further?

Owing to the increased need for personal mobility, affordability, support from financers, and low new car penetration in India, pre-owned car sales are expected to reach 1.5x times that of new car sales over the next five years.

A recent study conducted by OLX Autos with CRISIL on the pre-owned car market, reveals that by 2025- 2026, the Indian pre-owned car market will reach a size of over 7 Mn vehicles and outpace the new car market.

Q2. Going by the trends, which car models will be popular in 2022? Could you share some data on the most popular car bought and sold on OLX?

Based on the recent trends, the top three brands being sold on OLX Autos are Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Mahindra. In terms of the car models, the top-selling ones include hatchbacks such as Swift, Alto and i10. In addition, SUVs such as XUV500, Innova and Scorpio are also gaining huge traction. The average selling price of used cars was up by approximately 17%-20% year-on-year from approx. INR 4 lakh in January 2021 to INR 4.8 lakh this January 2022.

Q3. The current market environment has put a lot of stress on the supply of new cars chip shortage, restricted availability of raw materials, and longer wait times. How will this impact the supply side of used cars?

The demand for pre-owned cars is way ahead compared to pre-covid times. There are multiple factors behind this growth, the sector supply crunch, the need for personal mobility, and the desire for upward mobility. While chip shortage, rising cost of new cars and longer wait times are slowing the new car market, the pre-owned car market is gaining momentum.

As per our study with CRISIL, replacement demand this fiscal year made up only 19% of all new automobile sales, this typically ranges between 24-25%. This increase in demand is affecting the pricing for pre-owned cars, given their limited supply. This pressure on supply is also evident in the typical age of cars being traded which has increased from approx. 6-7 years during pre-covid times to approx. 8-9 years now.

Q4. How does OLX Autos perceive the used car market in India which has many venture-funded startups operating in the domain?

As stated the pre-owned car market will reach a size of over 7 Mn vehicles and outpace the new car market by 2025-26.

We at OLX Autos believe that given the per capita car ownership in India (23-25 cars per 1000 households as compared to 900+ per 1000 households in the US) is still amongst the lowest in the world it continues to be an aspiration for most Indians.

This unorganised industry is growing and therefore disruption is bound to happen. Startups are poised to take advantage and create that disruption to provide the phygital customer experience that customers are looking for. Ultimately, the player with a differentiated customer experience will succeed.

Q5. Tell us a bit about the recently launched home inspection model. How comfortable are users to sell their cars from their homes?

Pre-covid, most of our business (90%) was an in-store experience. However, during Covid, this was impacted and we created a new way of serving our customers. We pivoted to a model best suited to the customer preferences in terms of safety and convenience to meet the consumer-led demand.

Even though we are back to normalcy, consumers are preferring to take advantage of our home inspection facility which is witnessing a rapid growth

Q6. What has been the growth witnessed by OLX Autos in the last 2 years with the inclination towards personal mobility due to the pandemic-driven growth of the pre-owned car market?

OLX delivered a strong performance for the year, as it expanded its direct-to-consumer autos transactions business. Revenues increased 93% to US$3 billion. OLX Autos contributed significantly to this growth, with a revenue of US$1.6 billion, up 173% YoY. OLX Autos scaled operations significantly, with a record 175,000 autos transactions, up 79% from the previous year. Our core Classifieds business recorded growth across key markets, with monthly app user base rising 7% to 124 million, active listings growing 11% to 174 million and monthly paying listers increasing 10% to 4.1 million, as per a report on the global figures by Naspers.

Q7. How is OLX Autos reinventing itself to keep pace with the competition and changing consumer preferences?

OLX Autos is reinventing itself as a one-stop destination for anyone that wants to sell a pre-owned car, while also catering to the largest traditional dealer network in this space to help them grow with a wide variety of technology solutions.

Some of them being -

Home Inspection Model

Self Inspection Model

Online Price discovery

Q8. With many OEMs entering the used car space with their own branded outlets, do you see this as an opportunity or a hindrance to your plans in India?

This space is too large for any individual player to dominate in a market that is still 90% unorganized. We believe the more the players, the easier it will be to drive awareness about the various channels to sell cars and raise the bar for customer experience. In the past, we have demonstrated that despite the competition, we were able to achieve tremendous growth. This market will grow at a CAGR of around 15% over the next 5 years to reach over 7 mn which leaves a lot of room for growth hence the real battle is about understanding the needs and preferences of the consumers, creating awareness around better platforms that provide a differentiated customer experience.

We are focused and driven to provide great customer experiences that create positive word of mouth for our brand. This is an investment phase for us where we are building the right products, solutions, and capabilities that are scalable.

Read more:

COVID Has Shifted The Balance In Favour Of Pre-Owned Cars For A Long Time To Come - Outlook India

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Real estate companies and agents can now streamline transaction process and gain access to repair estimates

TYRONE, Pa., April 5, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --InspectionGo (iGo), provider of technology and services to the home inspection industry, announces the launch of iGo Network, a national platform for real estate agents, consumers, and investors to order home inspections through a digital, but human-enhanced, booking service.

iGo Network was created to make property inspection booking and delivery more accurate and efficient, and solves the geographical fragmentation in the inspection industry. For real estate or technology companies seeking inspection services across multiple markets, iGo Network provides a central, digital solution for tapping into reputable inspectors nationwide. Participating inspectors meet ongoing service standards and are committed to maintaining a high bar for E&O and general liability insurance.

"We are excited to launch iGo Network," said Celeste Starchild, COO of iGo. "The majority of home inspections today are ordered via a 12-minute phone call, making it cumbersome and error prone. We are changing this, and now with a modern national platform, the inspection can be incorporated into a more cohesive and enjoyable consumer journey."

Every inspection booked through iGo Network comes with a repair estimate report from Repair Pricer the industry's most accurate AI-powered home repair cost calculator. With an accuracy rate of 98%, Repair Pricer reduces time and stress associated with gathering repair estimates from contractors during a critical time in the closing process.

"We are thrilled to join forces with iGo to launch iGo Network," said Christian, co-founder of Repair Pricer. "Agents have been asking us for years for an easy way to book with inspectors that will provide them with Repair Pricer reports as standard. iGo Network not only meets this demand, but it brings best-in-class tools and services together to deliver a game changing experience for the industry as a whole."

Inspection companies gained advance access to join the iGo Network at iGo's annual conference in February, where more than 400 inspectors signed up for the platform. With dozens of market-leading multi-inspector firms participating at launch, iGo Network is positioned to bring a higher level of professionalism and standards to the industry.

For inspectors, iGo Network provides a source of new business without compromising control and confidentiality of their client data. "The inspection industry needs a trusted partner to meet the opportunities of the future. I believe that partner is iGo, and Axium Inspections is proud to be a founding member of the iGo Network," said Wade Williamson, CEO of Axium Inspections.

Order a home inspection through theiGo Network athttp://igobooking.com/. For inspection companies interested in joining iGo Network, visithttps://inspectiongo.com/igo-network/.

About InspectionGo (iGo)iGo, is a leading provider of technology and services for the home inspection industry. iGo's vision is to empower home owners and their agents with professional, digitally driven home inspection services and actionable insights about their homes, making home ownership more joyful. Based in Tyrone, PA, iGo also operates iGo Community, the nation's largest business coaching group for inspection company owners, iGo Academy, the gold standard for home inspector education in 17 states, and iGo Booking, the nation's foremost home inspection booking service.

To learn more about InspectionGo visitinspectiongo.com.

About Repair PricerRepair Pricer is an AI-powered repair estimator that can turn any inspection report into a highly accurate fully-interactive repair estimate. The buyer's agent receives this report, with the option to modify the final display for their buyer. Customizable, universal, automated and secure, Repair Pricer is demanded by real estate professionals and investors nationwide.

To learn more about Repair Pricer visitrepairpricer.com.

PRESS CONTACTNAMEMonika SolleePHONE951-249-6386WEBSITEhttps://wavgroup.com

SOURCE InspectionGo (iGo)

Read the original here:

iGo Launches iGo Network: A National Home Inspection Booking Platform - PR Newswire

Each week, Just Reduced spotlights properties in Arlington County whose price have been cut over the previous week. The market summary is crafted by Arlington Realty, Inc. Maximize your real estate investment with the team by visitingwww.arlingtonrealtyinc.comor calling 703-836-6000 today!

Please note: While Arlington Realty, Inc. provides this information for the community, it may not be the listing company of these homes.

Were keeping it real here in 2022, so lets get straight to the point: A property with a reduced price does not always mean youre getting a good deal.

Say whaaaat? we hear you proclaim.

Well, its the truth and here are a few amid many, many reasons why. A discounted price could easily be covering up and/or distracting from big-time costs ahead. This could come in the form of a forthcoming condo assessment, needed repair or to-be-discovered item stemming from a home inspection report. Plus, while a property may be discounted, it still may be way above its true value or comparables.

It can be easy to be lured in by a Just Reduced property. We get it and at a minimum on the positive side it can show buyers that a seller is willing to work with you on price.

But, to get the best bang for your buck, youll need a trusted team by your side that can help you weigh all the factors ahead. When that time comes, the time-tested team at Arlington Realty, Inc. has your back, as always. Until then, here are this weeks Just Reduced numbers.

As of April 4, there are 105 detached homes, 41 townhouses and 200 condos for sale throughout Arlington County. In total, 16 homes experienced a price reduction in the past week, including:

2512 Washington Blvd., 22201 NOW: $1,250,000 (Reduced: $49,000 on 3/31)

5850 20th Street N., 22205 NOW: $754,000 (Reduced: $5,000 on 3/28)

3409 Wilson Blvd. #210, 22201 NOW: $692,000 (Reduced: $10,000 on 3/30)

4853 27th Road S., 22206 NOW: $515,000 (Reduced: $25,000 on 3/28)

2943 Dinwiddie Street #A2, 22204 NOW: $499,900 (Reduced: $15,000 on 3/31)

851 N. Glebe Road #1216, 22203 NOW: $410,000 (Reduced: $15,000 on 3/31)

2016 N. Adams Street #708, 22201 NOW: $380,000 (Reduced: $10,000 on 4/1)

Please note that this is solely a selection ofJust Reducedproperties available in Arlington County. For a complete list of properties within your target budget and specifications, contactArlington Realty, Inc.

Continued here:

Just Reduced Properties in Arlington - ARLnow

Residents of a 60-unit apartment building in the city of North Miami Beach, Florida, were subject to an immediate evacuation order on Monday, April 4, after a team of structural engineers deemed the five-story structure, built in 1972, to be structurally unsound during an inspection leading up its 50-year recertification process. As detailed by the Associated Press, Miami-Dade County requires recertification inspections every 10 years following an initial 40-year recertification process.

The news comes just months after the Crestview Towers, a 10-story condo tower also in North Miami Beach, was evacuated shortly following the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in the nearby city of Surfside last June. Ninety-eight people were killed in that horrific structural failure, which occurred as the aging building was undergoing its 40-year check. Per the AP, North Miami Beach, a small city along the Intercoastal Waterway thats home to roughly 43,000 residents (and confusingly, no beaches within city limits), has been especially proactive in evacuating residents from buildings where inspections show structural problems. The residents of Crestview Towers have not been allowed to return since that building was evacuated.

According to a press release issued by the city, the owner of the latest North Miami Beach building to be evacuated, Bayview 60 Homes, had been carrying out major renovations and repairs within individual units in advance of the 50-year inspection process. During this preparation process, the property owner and the City of North Miami Beach received a letter from the structural engineers advising of critical structural issues and immediate evacuation due to a deflection in the elevation of the buildings floor slabs was required, the city explained. Said letter was issued after working hours on Friday, and the city took immediate action on Monday.

We are in direct communication with the property owner of Bayview 60 Homes to ensure that all residents are immediately notified and evacuated from the unsafe apartment building, said city manager Arthur H. Sorey, III, in a statement. The City is working with the owner to ensure that all residents will receive proper assistance as they relocate within the next 24 hours. The safety of the residents is our number one concern and were working as quickly as possible to mobilize our resources to the building site.

A majority of the apartments at Bayview 60 Homes, which is located in North Miami Beachs Eastern Shores neighborhood, were leased as rental units. All residents impacted by the evacuation will receive refunds for Aprils rent payments and have their security deposits returned. Residents, in limited numbers at the same time, will be allowed to return to the building throughout this week to retrieve personal belongings and furniture. Theyve also received initial three-night hotel vouchers and the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust and the American Red Cross will step into provide housing assistance if needed North Miami Beach Mayor Anthony DeFillipo relayed to the AP.

Compounding an already stressful situation is the fact that many of those living at Bayview 60 Homes are reportedly elderly residents who have been in the building for years and pay rents that are relatively affordable for an area with a dearth of affordable housing options.

One thing to note is the rents in this building that just closed are between $1,500 and $1,900 a month. And If you know anything about South Florida that is very cheap rent right now and affordable, Sorrey explained to the AP. Thats going to be the issue right now with those individuals trying to find something along the same lines and the same price. Its going to be very hard.

This latest building evacuation also comes just weeks after Florida lawmakers failed to pass condo safety reform legislation that would have required minimum structural recertification inspections at aging condo buildings; currently, there is no state law on the books requiring such inspections. The proposed legislation, which failed when negotiations broke down between members of the Republican-led Florida Senate and House of Representatives, would have also established a mandate requiring required condo buildings to conduct reserve studies that determine how much money building owners needs to be set aside for repairs. Currently, a loophole in state law means that building owners can circumvent setting aside these funds.

Following last months legislative stalemate, Martin Langesfeld, whose sister and brother-in-law both perished in the Champlain Towers South collapse, told NBC News that it was shocking and disappointing to see how little attention was given into changing legislation to avoid a horrific catastrophe from occurring once again.

Change must be made. Lives are at risk, he said.

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Another North Miami Beach apartment building is evacuated following structural inspection - The Architect's Newspaper

In years past, the spring sunshine and warm weather brought out home shoppers. I hear from local relators that theres an inventory shortage. There are more home buyers than there are houses for sale.

On average, national housing values appreciated substantially year over year. Many experts anticipate the trend will continue. It might, but I question how much longer housing values can continue to escalate.

For a number of years, mortgage rates have been well below 4 percent. But with benchmark interest rates increasing, its likely that mortgage rates will follow suit and soon exceed 4 percent. While thats a favorable rate in my opinion, I wouldnt be shocked if mortgage rates moved well beyond 4 percent.

Even though theyre still relatively low, theres a problem beyond mortgage interest rates in the housing market. Thats especially true for first-time homebuyers. Most tend to be young people, just launching their careers.

Historically, young people scrimped and saved for a down payment. If a new homebuyer could come up with 20 percent, they likely qualified for a mortgage. In more recent years, as mortgage lending became more flexible, you could qualify for much less than 20 percent.

In fact, all the traditional ways of buying an initial home seem to be going by the wayside, and its hurting the first-time buyers. How? Well, theres a lot of competition for what are often called starter homes. And some parties that are not first-time buyers are making it even more competitive.

https://www.theoaklandpress.com/2022/03/28/michiganders-seeing-rent-costs-soar-affordable-housing-options-depleted/

Its difficult enough with starter homes in short supply. But now, individual investors and even corporations are entering the market, with the intent to flip the homes for a profit or rent them out. A large number of buyers and a shortage of inventory obviously lead to higher prices.

And it gets worse for first-time buyers. If youre selling a home and you had an offer from young people with a mortgage and an all-cash buyer, which would you choose? Keep in mind that a mortgage requires a home inspection and cash buyers can waive the inspection requirement.

I think its quite likely that most sellers would prefer the all-cash deal. And equally likely that first-time buyers would not have all cash.

There was a time when owning a home brought pride. It was the great American dream come true. But things are rapidly changing and the dream appears to be fading away. Were becoming a nation of renters.

But even that is problematic.

Have you seen the cost of renting an apartment or house lately? If not, youre in for a shock. Just like home prices, rental prices have gone through the roof. And escalating prices arent the only issue in the housing market.

It appears the pandemic has generated an increasing number of foreclosures. Thats not surprising because the government protections that were implemented to help people remain in their homes are beginning to wear off.

I cant predict how a large number of foreclosures will affect the housing market, but I suspect it will be more volatile than experts anticipate.

Is it possible that skyrocketing interest rates and home prices might create a bubble? Only time will tell. But if youre looking to buy a first home, you might want to take that time.

Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. E-mail your questions to kenmorris@lifetimeplanning.com. Ken is a Registered Representative of LPL Financial. Ken is Vice-President of the Society for Lifetime Planning. All opinions expressed are those of Ken Morris. LPL and Society for Lifetime Planning are independent companies. Investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

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Ken Morris: Its becoming increasingly difficult to be a first-time homebuyer - The Macomb Daily

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau is warning residents about a scam involving what appears to be a free roof inspection as the weather gets nicer.

Officials said the scam starts when residents receive a call or a person shows up at the door claiming to represent a roofing company. The BBB Scam Tracker shows that the fake roof inspectors often use the name of the state plus "roofing" or "construction" as their business name.

The person claiming to be a roof inspector then offers a free inspection by saying their company is working on a neighbor's home and wants to inspect those living nearby, the BBB says. If a consumer asks questions about the business or services, officials say the person claiming to be a roof inspector will most likely give vague answers. If the conversation is over the phone, the person may just hang up.

Once the person accepts the free inspection, the person claiming to be a roof inspector shows up at their home. "If they dont find enough wear and tear to merit a whole new roof, they may fabricate it, by tearing off shingles to mimic wind damage. Or they may simply show you pictures of someone elses damaged roof," the BBB warns.

Consumers are urged to be wary of hiring these types of companies and are encouraged to do research first.

The Conn. Better Business Bureau has some tips to avoid roofing scams:

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CT BBB Warns of Free Roof Inspection Scam - NBC Connecticut

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Real estate industry experts say the focus should be on creating more supply

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Provinces from B.C. to Nova Scotia are rolling out a wave of new measures aimed at reining in rampant home price appreciation, but many in the real estate industry question whether the moves alone will be enough to tame the countrys housing dragon.

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A Bank of Montreal report last week, authored by economist Robert Kavcic, characterized the latest policy changes and the Bank of Canadas anticipated interest rate moves as a full-scale attack on Canada home prices.

Among the new measures is a cooling off period introduced in B.C., that would give buyersan unspecified amount of time to be revealed later this yearto change their minds after making an offer, leeway to pursue a home inspection or perform other due diligence.

Ontario, meanwhile, increased its non-resident speculation tax to 20 per cent and expanded its coverage across the province. Nova Scotia also set its sights on non-resident taxes as more demand comes in from outside the province.

When asked directly if the cooling off period would slow B.C.s hot housing market, Elton Ash, executive vice president at RE/MAX, offered a blunt No.

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The whole measure as the government is proposing is flawed, Ash told the Financial Post, because a buyer can rescind their offer on a home, leaving the seller in the lurch.

Ultimately, to realistically work towards controlling price appreciation, its supply. Thats purely what it is, Ash said.

A similar measure had been previously rolled out for pre-construction condominiums, allowing buyers a seven-day period to reconsider their decision. While Ash said the measure had no impact on condo valuations, it would be an apples to oranges comparison with the resale housing market.

Of course, the reason its in there is to allow consumers a sober second thought as opposed to the hard sell tactics of a developer, Ash said. Its a different environment.

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What Ash and other B.C. real estate professionals proposed instead was a five-day pre-offer period that would allow buyers to do their due diligence with property inspections, financing, appraisals, etc. Ash said this could remove unneeded stress from both the buyer and the seller.

Steve Saretsky, a real estate specialist at the Vancouver-based Saretsky Group, said the governments aimshouldbe to promote transparency in the house-hunting process, something that would ease the competitive frenzy that leads buyers to make rash decisions. The cooling off period, he said, could come with some unintended consequences.

I think it has the potential to backfire because you basically create a situation where maybe if everybody has a seven-day rescission period and you can use that to back out, you can basically just go and tie up two, three properties at a time to figure out which one that you want, Saretsky told the Post. If youre looking to create more affordable housing, Im not sure this is actually going to help create a more affordable housing market.

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In Ontario, Premier Doug Fords government increased the non-resident speculation tax from 15 to 20 per cent and expanded the measure throughout the province as opposed to focusing on the Greater Golden Horseshoe region.

For John Pasalis, president of Toronto-based real estate analytics firm Realosophy Realty Inc., the policy focus should be on creating more supply.

It's still a seller's market, but we're just starting to see a lot less competition

John Pasalis

I dont think these foreign buyer taxes are bad, theyre just not the solution, Pasalis said. Certainly, the bigger policies that the provinces can be focusing on are things like obviously increasing density, adding supply, probably doing some sort of provincial ban on things like Airbnb those types of things.

Pasalis added that there is a continued mismatch with the federal governments plan to rapidly grow the population through immigration and the provinces lag in creating sufficient supply to house them.

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Its this disconnect thats kind of really causing a lot of the problems we are seeing with high home prices, he said.

However, Pasalis noted that hes seeing some of the heat come out of the market already after demand was pulled forward ahead of rising mortgage rates. Pasalis added that listings volumes are increasing and buyers are starting to sit on the sidelines amid rising rates.

Its still a sellers market, but were just starting to see a lot less competition, he said.

In Nova Scotia, meanwhile, the provincial budget outlined a plan to implement a five per cent non-resident buyer tax as well as a two per cent annual property tax on non-resident owners of properties with three or fewer units (unless they are rented out to a local).

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Even with a pandemic-fuelled rise in interprovincial migration that saw buyers move from hot markets like Toronto and Vancouver to more reasonably priced Atlantic markets, Nova Scotia-based Re/Max broker Ryan Hartlen does not believe the influx of out-of-province buyers is strong enough to make the tax a game-changer.

We dont see this as a big enough segment of the market that its going to have a material impact, Hartlen said. I mean, we might see some ripples through the industry as people adjust to it but most of the buyers, even most of the non-Nova Scotia buyers that are buying properties here, have full intentions of moving here.

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While the real estate industry is not holding its breath on the recent measures the provinces have in store to tackle high home prices, they tend to agree that bringing more supply onto the market and encouraging more cohesion between all levels of government for geographically targeted solutions are whats needed not more tax-related measures.

I think the only thing realistic is trying to have some sort of plan and set out in place to work with municipalities to actually get supply built, Saretsky said. In terms of federal budget I wouldnt mind seeing them make a further commitment to increasing rental housing supply.

Email: shughes@postmedia.com | Twitter: StephHughes95

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Provinces launch 'full-scale attack' on home prices but it likely won't be enough to slay housing dragon - Financial Post

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A: Soffit and fascia are more than just architectural elements that make the exterior of your home look goodthey also protect your home by keeping pests like birds, bats, and squirrels from gaining entrance to the inside of the house.

What are soffit and fascia, anyway? Fascia and soffit are the exposed siding under a roofs overhang and are traditionally constructed of aluminum or wood. Fascias and soffits can show wear and tear over timeespecially if you live in a climate that receives consistent heavy rain or experiences prolonged, snowy winters.

When your soffit or fascia board shows signs of water rot, cracked or flaking paint, or pest infestation, it may be time to contact a professional for fascia repair or soffit replacement. If you need to know who repairs soffit and fascia, the following guide can help you narrow down which professional to call to get these outdoor elements back in mint condition.

Need soffit and fascia repair?

A roofer may be the pro for you. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from roofers near you.

Licensed roofers and contractors can usually take care of soffit and fascia repair. These professionals can either repair or replace your fascia and soffit, depending on the specific requirements of the project. You can start the repair process by searching soffit repair near me and vetting the individuals or businesses that come up by reading reviews. You can also reach out to neighbors and friends and ask who theyve used for similar projects, including any roofing repairs or replacements. If several homes in your neighborhood were built around the same time, they might be experiencing similar issues with soffit and fascia related to general wear and tear.

For fascia board or soffit repair, a roofer or contractor will likely need to inspect the damaged area. Theyll provide a quote for what repair or replacement will cost. If youre already going to hire a professional roofing contractor, you may want to inquire about a roof inspection. Issues with soffit and fascia can sometimes indicate issues with the roof structure as a whole. As with any home repair project, its best to get to the root of the problem rather than trying to patch over issues cosmetically.

A gutter expert is another professional who can provide soffit repair or fascia replacement. Since soffits and fascia are located so closely to your gutters, the gutters could be causing any issues, especially if theyre moisture related. The fascia often provides a layer of support to help keep the homes gutters stable, and problems with fascia are often discovered once gutters are removed or repaired. Companies that repair or replace gutters will typically teach their technicians about the basics of roofing, including soffit and fascia. Whether youre having your gutters serviced or not, a professional will likely need to replace or repair the fascia first, then the soffit and gutters.

Need soffit and fascia repair?

It may be a job for a gutter pro. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from experts near you.

Its wise to take photos of the damaged areas before you hire a professional to address the problems, both for your benefit and theirs. This way, you can send your pictures to roofers, contractors, or gutter experts beforehand so they can determine the best course of action and estimate how much repairs or replacement might cost.

Plus, photos of the damage will be helpful in case the root cause of the soffit and fascia problems is a peril that homeowners insurance policy will cover. If a roof leak due to sudden damage or heavy snow causes damage to your soffit and fascia, your insurance company may pay for some of the repairs. Its advised to read your policy before attempting to file a claim or contacting your insurance agent to determine whether the issue will be covered or not.

Because they are located on the exterior of your home, soffit and fascia are more likely to show signs of exposure to moisture. If you live in an older home, a home with wooden soffit and fascia, or an area that experiences harsh winters or severe storms, your soffit and fascia are even more prone to moisture, mold, and rot. Suppose rotting fascia and soffit arent addressed. In that case, it could potentially lead to damage to the homes interior, which would end up being much more expensive than the $15 to $30 per linear foot that it costs for fascia board repair or soffit and fascia replacement.

If you see signs of mold on your fascia or soffit, you can attempt to remove or treat it with a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water applied with a cloth or small brush. Although this can remove mold in some cases, you may be dealing with a problem that could return or even spread if the mold isnt completely removed. Mold removal professionals should treat areas of mold that are larger than 10 square feet. Areas of rotting wood or corroding metal will need to be replaced.

Soffit, fascia, and gutters make convenient hiding places for pests. Evidence of animals, bees, or wasps in soffit and fascia requires the help of a pest control professional. This issue should be addressed before you contact someone to repair fascia or soffit, since the pests presence will need to be eliminated first. Experienced pest control professionals will be able to create an effective plan to remove any insects or animals that have made a home on or in your roof.

Need soffit and fascia repair?

A roofer may be the pro for you. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from roofers near you.

As well as being at risk for water damage, wooden soffit and fascia are potential feeding and breeding grounds for termites. If youve already spotted termites inside the home, theres a good chance theyre already damaging parts of the homes exterior, too. Typical indicators of termites include small piles of sawdust and visible wood rot or wood that has literally been eaten away.

The presence of termites will also mean youll need to call a termite removal pro before hiring someone to repair or replace the soffit and fascia. This first step ensures the termites are entirely removed from your property so that they dont return to wreak more havoc on your home once the repairs are done. If the damage is bad enough, your fascia or soffit may need to be completely replaced to make sure your homes structure is sound.

When it comes to performing work on your roof, your specific city or state may have different certification requirements for roofing or gutter professionals due to the precarious nature of working on roofs. For example, in Austin, Texas, or Newark, New Jersey, roofers are licensed at the city level. Before you hire a roofer, contractor, or gutter expert to work on your fascia or soffit, you can search online for their license by state to verify that theyre qualified. These professionals have to provide proof of formal training or a specific amount of on-the-job training to obtain a license. Verifying their license and qualifications beforehand helps ensure theyre legally able to do the job and have the experience to perform it well.

Need soffit and fascia repair?

A roofer may be the pro for you. Get free, no-commitment project estimates from roofers near you.

You may be an experienced DIYer with enough confidence in your skill set to take on a repair job like this. However, for the sake of safety, its always best to hire a professional for roofing problems. One wrong move could result in a devastating injury when heights come into play.

A professional roofing company or contracting company will have crew members who are not only insured but also have their work covered by a warranty in case anything goes wrong or needs to be fixed after the initial repair. Although it may be tempting to take these repairs on yourself, any money you save could potentially be lost to medical bills due to injuries sustained during repairs or damage you inadvertently cause. The cost may be more up front than if you did the repairs yourself, but having a professional do the repairs will pay off in the long run.

Sources: HGTV

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Solved! Who Repairs Soffit and Fascia? - Bob Vila