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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Castles in the Sand

Bigger waterfront homes, bigger insurance

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Have you forgotten the collapse of the condo in Surfside, Florida yet? Those of us who live on the water in Florida may never get over it, it will just keep coming back like a bad dream. The good thing is the unfortunate collapse of the building and the death of so many residents appears to be more unique to the building’s construction and maintenance than many first thought. Nevertheless, living on barrier islands with direct ocean and Gulf exposures leaves you vulnerable in many other ways.

Last week I talked about the changes being made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the federal National Flood Insurance Program they manage. The program went into effect on Oct. 1 and will start to impact homeowners who have flood insurance through the government’s National Flood Insurance Program as their renewals come due. But there are a lot of moving parts to flood insurance, especially for high-end waterfront homes.

First of all, if you are part of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, your coverage is a maximum of $250,000 in damages. FEMA does make additional funds available if a disaster is declared, which is one reason why governors of states quickly declare disasters after significant storms in order to help individual property owners as well as make states eligible for funds in a declared disaster situation.

Of course, $250,000 is not a lot of money to repair damage from a storm in a property worth over $1 million, which almost all waterfront properties in Florida are valued at. The answer is to purchase excess flood insurance coverage. As waterfront property values increase, there is a growing sector of private insurers who are filling the gap with a variety of policies. These policies could be a supplement to homeowner’s policies or could stand alone. They could be combined with the National Flood Insurance Program policy, which also offers excess flood insurance coverage. However you structure the insurance you need to meet your lender’s flood insurance requirements as well as protecting your home and investment should be reviewed with a flood insurance professional.

In addition, private flood insurance policies can go beyond what’s covered under the National Flood Insurance Program’s coverage. This might include reimbursing you for loss of income, additional living expenses coverage and even the costs of flood prevention, such as sandbags. All of the coverages available vary by the insurer, as do the rates, so purchasing excess flood insurance coverage is an important part of waterfront living and needs to be addressed with a competent insurance broker who is a specialist in flood insurance, particularly on expensive barrier islands and other waterfront regions.

Another caveat is to determine the true replacement cost for your property. Costly high-end finishes may be difficult to put a value on after a storm. Homeowners should document every detail of the home that could be in dispute if it became a total loss. Pictures and videos created before an event will become valuable when the insurance adjuster shows up.

Just to add to your stress a little more, the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for more transparency in flood risk and climate change, predicts the following: In the next 30 years, economic damage due to changing environmental conditions is estimated to jump to 7.5 times the current average insurance payout, up from 4.5 times.

You can’t dwell on things you can’t change, like a once-in-a-lifetime building collapse, but you can prepare for your own individual circumstance. Know what you need and get the best possible advice to protect your home and family because no one wants to move inland.

The return of red tide may be driving away some tourists

Return of red tide may be driving away tourists

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide hit the Island this year in mid-April. By mid-September, it appeared the worst had subsided. A stroll down Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach or Pine Avenue in Anna Maria was free of coughing shoppers, and the air smelled like fresh donuts and grilled seafood rather than dead fish.

Unfortunately, this relief was short-lived, and red tide returned in a concentration high enough to cause concern for locals and tourists alike.

“We can’t take it, my daughter and husband have been coughing constantly,” said Jacksonville resident Jillian Sovine, who is staying in Anna Maria with her family and two friends. “Tomorrow we’re going to drive down to Siesta Key and see if it’s any better there. There’s nothing we can do; we’ve already paid for the house so we’ll sleep here, but as long as it’s this bad, we can’t have any fun on the beach or even by the pool. We’ve talked to other people on our street who are doing the same thing.”

A drive by the Coquina Beach public parking lot last week was a sign of the wrath of red tide. Even with construction that has temporarily closed hundreds of parking spaces, there was ample parking available with some areas completely free of cars. Bridge Street, which makes use of The Old Town Tram parking shuttle service due to very little public parking, had plenty of empty spaces even during the busy lunch rush. This could be a bad sign, but not everybody is seriously concerned.

“On a scale of 1-10 as far as being concerned, I’d put it at about a five. I have two young kids under the age of two, so of course there is concern,” said Joe Lehman, of Columbus, Ohio. who is visiting Bradenton Beach for a week with his family. While red tide wasn’t the optimum scenario for Lehman and his family, they all agreed it was a great choice to visit the Island and it wasn’t going to spoil their vacation.

Red tide around AMI increased from low to medium concentrations last week, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Related coverage

Red tide increases to medium concentrations

Red tide returns in low concentrations

Red tide respiratory irritation risk remains

Red tide increases to medium concentrations

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide has been detected in medium concentrations in Anna Maria Island waters, an increase from last week’s low concentrations, according to today’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

The toxic algae began appearing in mid-April after 215 million gallons of contaminated water was dumped into Tampa Bay from Piney Point, a former phosphate plant. The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as a fertilizer for red tide. The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prevent contaminated water in a holding pond on top of a compromised gypsum stack from flooding the area. Piney Point is the subject of two pending lawsuits and is in receivership.

Red tide dissipated in Manatee County from Aug. 30 until Sept. 14, when low concentrations were detected. On Sept. 21, medium concentrations were detected in water samples taken at the Rod n’ Reel Pier in Anna Maria and at the 10th Street Pier in Bradenton Beach. Low concentrations were detected at Key Royale (School Key) and the Longboat Pass boat ramp, according to the report.

Fish kills and respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in Manatee County over the past week.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Updated red tide forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Related coverage

 

Return of red tide may be driving away tourists

 

Red tide returns in low concentrations

 

Red tide respiratory irritation risk remains

Holmes Beach leaders and Bali Hai owners face off

Holmes Beach leaders and Bali Hai owners face off

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – No agreement has been reached concerning the operations of the Bali Hai Beach Resort between the hotel’s owners and the city of Holmes Beach, despite a pending court case, numerous code compliance hearings, fines and a pending site plan amendment approval.

Attorney Louis Najmy, representing the resort’s owners, including local developer Shawn Kaleta, appeared before commissioners on Sept. 15 for a site plan approval hearing. Due to issues with the site plan and a lack of compliance with city regulations, the site plan approval was postponed to the first meeting in October. This would allow the resort’s representatives additional time to work with city staff to create a site plan proposal that meets all of the city’s requirements and determine what action needs to be taken by the resort to come into compliance with city regulations until the proposed site plan for activities on the resort property.

During the Sept. 15 meeting, city commissioners agreed that they were unable to approve the site plan as presented but that they’d rather provide at least a partial approval instead of outright denying the presented site plan and risk going to mediation in the court system. Najmy argued that the site plan as presented has met all of the city’s expressed requirements. He said that his client has not complied with the code compliance order from a special magistrate to cease operations at the restaurant’s bar and lounge, obtain after-the-fact permits for construction work done and cease operations at an installed spa or cease holding special events at the resort. His reasoning for the non-compliance is that he thought his client should be able to continue with operations as-is until a site plan was approved and then the resort’s operations would have to come into compliance. City commissioners said that was not the case and that compliance has to be achieved and fines paid before the resort would be considered to be operating in good faith.

Najmy said he believes the $1,000 per day fine currently in force against the resort due to non-compliance with city codes was enacted erroneously and he is contesting it.

The issues between the city and the Bali Hai go back over a year to when work was done at the resort without permits from the Holmes Beach building department and a bar and spa were opened on the property for guest use without an approved site plan for the change in use.

The work done on the property includes installation of railings on the second floor of the resort, the demolition of an owner’s unit on the second floor of an accessory building and a storage room on the bottom floor of the same building, the conversion of those spaces into an office and bar/lounge area and the conversion of a resort laundry facility into a spa.

On behalf of his clients, Najmy argued that the resort’s owners do not need site plan approval from the city to open a bar/lounge on the property. City Planner Bill Brisson said he can find no record that a bar/lounge was ever approved for the site, meaning that a site plan approval from city commissioners is required for the amenity to operate legally within Holmes Beach city limits.

Najmy said that his client is seeking to operate in good faith with the city, though commissioners pointed out that his client is still operating the resort in violation of city regulations.

City Attorney Patricia Petruff said that there can be no approval of the site plan without the resort’s owners being willing to first come into compliance with city regulations. She added that a path forward needs to be determined to bring the issue to a conclusion before the courts truly get involved.

Though there is a court case pending in Manatee County Circuit Court, a hearing was not scheduled as of press time for The Sun.

The site plan is scheduled to come back before commissioners on Oct. 12.

Related coverage

 

Legal issues put a damper on wedding plans

 

Bali Hai legal dispute continues

 

Bali Hai owners receive code fines

Rash triumphs in state investigation

Rash triumphs in state investigation

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – At the conclusion of a four-month-long investigation by the State of Florida Commission on Ethics, Commissioner Kim Rash is breathing a long-awaited sigh of relief.

Rash was accused of violating a section of the Florida Constitution by his former neighbor, Anastasios “Tosh” Tricas, in early May. Among other things listed in a May 1 complaint filed with Holmes Beach police following a noise complaint at Rash’s Holmes Boulevard residence, Tricas accused Rash of abusing his position as a city commissioner by stating that he did not have to comply with laws and regulations because city departments and staff members “work for him.” A hearing held Sept. 10 in Tallahassee found that there was no probable cause to substantiate the claims made by Tricas, and his complaint against Rash was dismissed.

Rash

With the conclusion of the investigation comes a measure of peace for Rash and his family. In speaking with The Sun, Rash said the accusations against him and the following investigation caused a tremendous amount of stress for his family, who supported him throughout the entire process. Unable to discuss the investigation until it officially concluded, Rash said that without the support of his wife, Theresa, and daughter, Melissa, the situation would have been unbearable. Now, he’s just happy to have the hearing and investigation over with and to publicly be cleared of the accusations.

“I’m just happy it’s over,” he said, adding that he can now move forward in his duties as a commissioner with a renewed focus on the residents he represents.

In a written statement, Rash said he wished taxpayer funds could have been put to better use than investigating the claims made by Tricas.

“I believe the unfounded allegations against me by my former neighbor, Tosh Tricas, were the result of retaliation following my family’s decline of the Tricas’ request for a shared pool,” Rash said in the statement. “Electronic and photographic evidence, as well as testimony from direct witnesses, show that allegations submitted by Mr. Tricas to the Florida Commission on Ethics were fabricated. I demonstrated, item by item, with a wealth of documentation that each of Mr. Tricas’ allegations were categorically false. I fully cooperated with this investigation and was 100% confident that there would be a full exoneration of these false and damaging allegations.”

Rash said he feels the issues between himself and his neighbor began when Rash had a pool installed on his side of the duplex lot the two shared until Tricas sold his side of the building in late June. Rash said Tricas and his family wanted to go in on the pool so that it would be shared with the two units. For resale purposes, Rash denied the request, putting the two neighbors at odds. When Tricas sold his side of the duplex, plans were shown on the listing for a courtyard pool that could potentially be installed on his property, however, Holmes Beach building records show that no one applied for permits for that pool.

Tensions between the neighbors came to a head early in the morning of May 1 when officers responded to the Holmes Boulevard property just after 6 a.m. to a noise complaint. Tricas said a stereo left playing in Rash’s living room while that family was out of town was disturbing his neighbors for a few days before calling the Holmes Beach Police Department to report the noise.

Videos from Rash’s security camera system show HBPD officers, joined at one point by a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy, blocking traffic in front of the residence and walking the property while investigating the issue.

Rash sent a friend over to turn off the stereo and was issued a warning by officers, which would have ended the issue, but Tricas gave a five-page written statement to officers outlining other issues between himself and Rash. It was those complaints that made their way to the state ethics board as Tricas escalated the complaint.

Tricas could not be reached for comment.

With the conclusion of the ordeal, Rash said he’s happy to finally be moving forward and putting this issue behind him.

“Throughout this whole ordeal, I have continued to work and advocate for the residents of Holmes Beach. That is why I was elected, and this has continued to be my focus,” Rash said in his statement. “I am glad I finally have the opportunity to speak so that the residents of Holmes Beach finally know the truth. I am grateful for the support that I have received from so many of our Holmes Beach residents.”

Related coverage

 

Holmes Beach commissioner receives noise warning

 

Changes come to noise ordinance

 

City buzzing about noise regulations

Castles in the Sand

Home renovations not for the faint of heart

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

So, you think you want to renovate, and you think you should do it before you sell. You’re done with the nasty old bathroom and a large kitchen island has been on your wish list forever. But do you have the stamina and patience required?

If you want to do home renovations, bathrooms and kitchens are the most popular; for your personal use, that’s one thing, but if you’re doing it to enhance your resale, that’s another. The philosophy of doing renovations prior to putting your home on the market is one of those calculations that depends on who you talk to and on the existing real estate market.

Right now, housing inventory is at an historic low and sellers tend to feel they can sell anything, so why go through the expense and hassle of renovating? Some of that is true – in today’s market, everything will sell eventually, no matter what condition it’s in. The issue is, do you want to attract the most qualified buyers in the fastest time frame and get the most money?

Many buyers today want a turnkey home in move-in condition, and are willing to pay a premium for a property that’s ready to go; this is why new construction always sells. They want to avoid the headaches involved in the renovation process, especially if it’s a retirement home or a second home. With so many $1 million and over properties on Anna Maria Island, buyers for these properties are going to be picky, even in this market. They will focus on the smallest detail and will look for high-end finishes and sleek modern baths and kitchens. If you’re in a position to give them what they want, do it; you’ll get the best offers and come out ahead in the end.

Whether you’re renovating for personal use or resale, the process can be tedious, long and fraught with problems. This happens to be something I know about since I just completed a primary bath renovation, converting a dated jetted tub to a walk-in shower stall.

When you start a project, sometimes the thing you think is the easiest is actually the most complicated. My energy was spent picking out tile, vanity, showerheads, mirrors and ceiling fans. When it came to the plumbing and electric work involved, I didn’t have a clue about the process or the cost. Well, that was my first shock, which also involved several issues to iron out from day one.

Some of it was funny, listening to the vendor in before the last one complaining about how they did their job, but most of it was annoying. Be ready for anything from a shortage of tiles to cracked tiles that require removal and placement of a new one, light fixtures that didn’t fit because of a plumbing line we didn’t know about and a missing toilet. The final insult was when my microwave decided it had enough after less than five years; at this point, I had enough after only three months. The day of the cracked shower tile I said to my husband, this is the reason new construction and gut renovation properties sell at a premium; I think by then he understood.

Finally, everything took much longer than I expected. Every professional trade company is blow-out busy; it appears everyone is coming out of the pandemic with money in their bank accounts and a pent-up desire to renovate. Also, expect to wait up to two weeks for appointments with most vendors.

I’m done for now, and maybe forever. Just keep in mind why buyers, even in a tight market, want move-in ready and why it might be a good idea to do the work before selling, as painful as it is.

Red tide returns in low concentrations

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Featured, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide has returned to local waters after a two-week respite, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

The toxic algae began appearing in mid-April near Piney Point after 215 million gallons of contaminated water were discharged into Tampa Bay. The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as a fertilizer for red tide.

The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prevent the collapse of a compromised gypsum stack containing the contaminated water. The former phosphate plant – the subject of two pending lawsuits – is in receivership and is slated for closure and the disposal of the remaining contaminated water.

Red tide dissipated in Manatee County from Aug. 30 until Sept. 14, when low concentrations were detected in water samples taken at the Rod n’ Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Very low concentrations were detected at the Longboat Pass boat ramp, and background concentrations were detected at Key Royale (School Key) and the Palma Sola Bay Bridge, according to the report.

No fish kills or respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in or offshore of Manatee County over the past week, but were reported in Pinellas County to the north and Sarasota County to the south.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials also warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Updated red tide forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Castles in the Sand

Are you ready to be an island investor?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Investing in real estate can be a lifelong dream or a recurring nightmare – usually, it turns out to be both.

What sounds better than owning an island home that you can rent for outlandish prices and also use? What can go wrong? Well, plenty can go wrong, but first you have to find the property to complete your dream.

Real estate typically provides a better rate of return than the stock market with the absence of the market’s volatility. Over time, the value of a property increases, building equity and providing more control over the asset than stock market investing. Historically the longer an investor holds onto real estate, the more money will be made. Since real estate is a highly tangible asset and will always have value, it can survive up and down real estate markets.

In addition, real estate investing comes with numerous tax benefits, such as tax deductions on mortgage interest up to federal limits, deduction of expenses and continuing cash flow. However, if your investment property is also one that you plan to use personally, there are restrictions on the time allocated for personal use in order to qualify the property as an investment and the ability to deduct certain expenses.

Looking for an investment property is entirely different than looking for a home to live in. Investors are or should be concerned with cash flow and the vacancy factor. Ideally, an investor wants to at minimum break even, that is cover all the property expenses with the income from rentals. In fact, if you’re looking for an investment property, that should be your first question – how many times does it rent and what is the annual rental income? Also, if you’re looking for a condo investment, read the condo documents to determine restrictions on renting and advise potential renters of the association’s rules and regulations.

When calculating expenses don’t forget to include property tax, mortgage payment, homeowner’s fees and repairs. Conventional mortgages for investment properties could be a slightly higher rate than owner-occupied properties. In addition, restrictions from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will limit the number of conventional mortgages an investor can have. This is usually four, and investors who plan on making more investments may need to look to the private money market for financing.

Most investment buyers on Anna Maria Island are looking for a property to hold long-term since the property values go up almost daily and rentals are lucrative and plentiful. But some are planning to buy low (good luck with that), make improvements and flip the property to another buyer.

There is also an emotional aspect to owning investment property. When your phone rings in the middle of your daughter’s wedding and the tenant has a major plumbing leak, you have to at the very least make a couple of calls. This is why many investors hire management companies to handle emergencies and screen tenants. Hiring a management company, however, does cut into your cash flow.

Real estate is a vibrant business that creates a ton of buzz and is something everyone loves to talk about. Remember the old adage, God keeps making people but not land. On Anna Maria Island, this adage is on steroids; no more land but lots more people.

Castles in the Sand

How not to derail your transaction

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

It’s the night before your home closing and your broker calls and says she was just notified by the lender there is a problem with the title and closing is postponed. The moving trucks on both ends of the transaction are ready to roll, your buyer’s son has already signed up for his new soccer team and everyone involved is having a breakdown.

Last-minute issues come up in almost every real estate transaction and title problems can be the most difficult to deal with. The best way to avoid the drama is to be prepared and be proactive, whether you’re the buyer, the seller or the real estate professional.

If you’re the seller and you have had any kind of county permit pulled for work performed in your home, like a new air-conditioning system or plumbing work that required a permit, make sure that the company that pulled the permit has sent a release to the county closing out an open permit. Same thing if you are having a debate with a contractor and are withholding funds; they may have put a “mechanic’s” lien on the property until they have full payment. Best to get this settled and the lien released before you go into contract with a buyer. Of course, the ultimate title issue is when one of the buyers becomes seriously impaired or passes away. Legal issues and delays will naturally follow, putting the transaction in jeopardy.

Another big derailment issue is financing. A contract for a real estate sale that involves financing will state how much money the buyer is financing and a time frame for application and approval, as well as the amount of earnest money being collected. To avoid any issues with a buyer not qualifying for a mortgage, all buyers requiring financing should be prequalified for an amount equal to the purchase price and amount of funds being borrowed.

The next big issue when working with a buyer who is financing is the property appraising. We are in such an evolving market, with sales numbers going up daily, that determining the appraised value is like trying to hit a moving target. Since appraisers can only use closed properties in their analysis and not properties for sale or under contract, it’s not surprising that appraisals come up short. Buyers need to be prepared in the event this happens to them. Having more cash ready to put down a larger down payment is generally the best thing to do, but in this market, don’t expect the seller to renegotiate the price down.

Engineer inspections are notorious for derailing a sale. Sellers have to get all their ducks in order, making sure the appliances, HVAC, roof and plumbing are in working order if that is what you represented to the buyer. And, at the time of the final walk-through, everything the buyer expects to be there under the contract should be there and working. This includes a buyer expecting the property to be broom clean. More than one transaction has fallen apart at the last minute because the dishwasher quit the night before.

Finally, if the buyer and seller have negotiated personal property to be conveyed with the sale, all parties should be clear on what they are. The more detail you can include in the original contract, the better it will be at the end. If you’re leaving two refrigerators, specify color and model; and if you’re leaving the family room furniture, try not to have your new puppy chew one of the legs the week before closing.

Many of the last-minute problems can be avoided with just a little planning. Don’t let the sales train get off the tracks – once it does, it’s pretty hard to get it back up and running.

Shorebird season scant on AMI

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Birds, Outdoors.

Shorebird nesting season on Anna Maria Island ends this month with only two least tern chicks surviving out of 30 – cats preyed on the rest, according to photographer Kathy Doddridge, a volunteer with Audubon Florida and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring. The two chicks, banded for identification and tracking by Florida Audubon, were a product of the first least tern colony on the Island since May 2016. Least terns, a threatened species in Florida, laid 64 nests this year on AMI.

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

- Kathy Doddridge | Submitted

Castles in the Sand

Buying a condo on the beach is bound to change

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

How many people do you know who actually hired an engineer to inspect their purchase of a condo? I don’t mean just a building inspector to make sure the appliances, plumbing and air conditioning systems are working properly, and there are no obvious leaks from an upper unit, I mean an actual engineer. Well, get ready for the age of geotechnical engineers.

Geotechnical engineering is the branch of civil engineering concerned with the engineering behavior of earth materials using the principles of soil mechanics. In Surfside, Florida, the town sent letters to the owners of almost 40 properties that they begin safety inspections ahead of their 40-year recertification. It was stressed for those buildings on the ocean that they hire not just a structural engineer but a geotechnical engineer to analyze the foundation and subsurface soils.

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, geotechnical engineers specialize in understanding what’s beneath the ground’s surface mostly during pre-construction. However, experts can also be brought in to inspect the strength profile of the soil below an existing building to determine how much the building has settled over time.

Because of the Surfside tragedy, coastal municipalities and buyers of these properties will be taking a closer look at existing properties. Recently in Holmes Beach, a small condo building was voluntarily evacuated by the town because the balconies and stairways had cracks that required further inspection.

As a buyer of waterfront property, doing your due diligence is now more important than ever. In the frenzy of an over-heated real estate market, buyers are waiving structural inspections in order to enhance their offer. However, and I’ve said it before, this would be a very big mistake, particularly for waterfront properties on barrier islands.

Buyers are usually good at reviewing condo documents and financial records of the association they are buying into but frequently do not ask about board minutes that may include discussions regarding special assessments. To be fair, minutes from board meetings are generally only available to current owners and special assessments need only be disclosed to potential buyers once the board has voted on them. Nevertheless, an honest homeowner would indicate to a buyer who is already reviewing the association’s financials the potential of another assessment or correction of a structural problem where the funds are not yet allocated. Remember the spirit of disclosure laws, whether written or verbal, is to reveal defects in the property that could have a future effect on the value of a property.

Going forward, contracts of sale for beachfront and island properties, both single-family and condos, could contain clauses related to disclosure of any recertifications already performed or specific geotechnical testing that may have been done. Also, it’s reasonable to expect that buyers of these properties may also hire their own geotechnical engineers in addition to structural engineers and traditional home inspectors.

Twenty years ago, when I purchased a waterfront condo, I did not have a professional inspection. My husband and our friend went through the unit and determined everything looked just fine. I guess they did a good job because we’ve never had any problems with systems and certainly nothing structural. However, I look back now and wonder what were you thinking? Make sure your thinking is better than mine was; we’ve learned a lot this year, let’s put it to good use.

Red tide respiratory irritation risk remains

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide continues to pose a risk of respiratory irritation in Manatee and surrounding counties. The Florida Department of Health issued a warning that people may experience respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms, with some people who have breathing problems, such as asthma, experiencing more severe symptoms.

High levels of red tide were detected in water samples at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria on Aug. 9 according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Medium levels were detected at the Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach and low levels were detected at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge. Current forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Charlotte counties last week.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Red tide-related fish kills were reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Charlotte counties.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of algae. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide, at 1-888-232-8635.

Lauren Lewe and daughter

AMI photo brings inspiration at the worst of times

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At the age of 39, a Jacksonville, Fla. mother of two didn’t expect to ring in the new year at the Mayo Clinic undergoing surgery for a brain aneurysm, but Lauren Lewe says a picture of her two young daughters on an Anna Maria Island beach helped her get through the ordeal.

Lewe began having worsening symptoms that continued to be misdiagnosed by doctors months before tests showed she had a 17mm unruptured brain aneurysm. She was admitted to the Mayo Clinic on Dec. 30, 2020 with surgery scheduled for the next day.

“When I was admitted to the hospital, my husband Jon went home to get some things for our stay,” she said. “Our oldest daughter, Finley, sent him back with a picture of her and her little sister Emery from our trip to Anna Maria Island in 2020. With pure innocence, she told him it would make me happy. That was an understatement. After seeing the picture, I remember thinking I just wanted to be able to go back there. Please, God, let me live, my family needs me.” 

Lewe daughters
The picture of her daughters that Lauren Lewe kept in her bed during her stay at Mayo Clinic. – Submitted

Lewe said the picture never left her bed the entire time, from the neuro floor to ICU and back to neuro. 

“The picture brought me so much comfort and helped me get through some of the most terrifying moments of my life,” Lewe said. “The doctor that saved my life, Dr. David Miller at Mayo Clinic, asked about it, our vacations to Anna Maria Island and our girls. He told me I would be going back there this summer. He was calm and confident and I believed him. Well, he was right. We spent a week in paradise at the end of July. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this life.”

Lewe said she began coming to the Island as a child and was excited to share the experiences with her children. The family made their first trip together in July 2018 and has been coming ever since, with no plans to stop the tradition. Lewe says a lot of the family’s favorite Island adventures involve food. Ice cream at Dips, morning golf cart rides to Ginny’s & Jane E’s for cinnamon rolls and The Donut Experiment are family favorites.

“AMI allows you to slow down, relax, enjoy quiet living and it brings out pure happiness in our entire family. It is truly a special and magical Island where memories are made. This visit may be the most special and one I’ll cherish forever because I wasn’t sure I would be here to experience it,” Lewe said.

Lewe continues to have a clean bill of health, and looks forward to many years of return visits to the place she calls “paradise.”

City buzzing about noise regulations

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – More changes are on the way for the city’s noise regulations with the proposed addition of the term “plainly audible,” a requirement to face noise-producing electronics toward the rental units and a proposition to get a financial bond or some other financial security for unpaid noise citations.

Commissioners discussed the issue of excessive noise in residential communities during a July 27 work session. Despite Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer saying the city’s current ordinance is working and is “a model ordinance” being emulated by other cities, commissioners are considering adding the current regulations to help curtail noise between houses.

One of the things already being used by police and code officers responding to noise violation complaints is “plainly audible.” Commissioners agreed that the term needs to be added to the current noise ordinance for clarification and enforcement.

Tokajer said he’s instructed officers arriving at a noise complaint to judge if the noise being heard would disturb them at night in their home. If so, he said officers can consider the noise complaint valid. Currently, officers use the plainly audible method in addition to noise meters and the seven noise standards already set out in the ordinance when responding to quiet hours noise complaints between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. A motion to use the plainly audible standard during the day failed to achieve a consensus between commissioners.

With increased enforcement, Tokajer said officers have issued more tickets in 2021 than in 2020, with 37 noise citations issued through the end of June. He said officers issued 29 citations all year in 2020.

He added that officers received 330 calls for service for noise issues in 2020 and 164 through June 30 in 2021.

Commissioners agreed to move the first reading of the amended noise ordinance to a future meeting.

Other changes being considered to the city’s noise regulations include a requirement to face a noise-producing device, such as a stereo or boom box, toward the rental unit where it is located to reduce noise to neighboring properties, and the placement of a sign reminding visitors that they’re renting in a residential neighborhood outside by pools. Both changes are under consideration to be added to the city’s vacation rental ordinance.

Commissioners also instructed staff to look into options for obtaining a bond or some other financial security instrument for unpaid noise citations. Thus far, Tokajer said all noise citations issued have been paid. Commissioners agreed they’d like to get out in front of the potential problem of unpaid fines before it becomes an issue.

Related coverage

Holmes Beach commissioner receives noise warning

Commissioners consider changes to noise ordinance

Castles in the Sand

Are we starting to see a normal market?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand, Real estate | Development.

I’m starting to read in national publications that the real estate market is beginning to return to normal with more new listings hitting the market, especially in what is considered the luxury market. Well, if that’s true, no one told the homeowners and homebuyers in Manatee and Sarasota counties.

But could this be a predictor of the future?

According to Realtor.com, nationally new active listings for June were 43% less than June of last year – an improvement from May of this year, when the difference was 60% from May of last year. Those numbers do show a trend in more active listings nationwide. According to Realtor.com, this change is reflected in the new listing prices going down as well in June.

In addition, Realtor.com is reporting that the number of new listings over $1 million jumped 17.5% for the week ended June 19 compared to the same week last year. By comparison, new listings priced under $350,000 were down 7.4% for the same week. Obviously, lower-end homeowners never have the same flexibility that higher-end homeowners do, especially since many of the higher-end properties are second homes.

Real estate analysts are taking the position that more houses are coming on the market particularly for high-end properties. Owners who decided not to list during the worst of the pandemic when it wasn’t practical to list their homes are now ready to move on. Also, even those homeowners who were not thinking about selling are now rethinking their decision when they see the sale prices zooming up. That said, it is still a hot market with very low interest rates for mortgages. However, per the National Association of Realtors, it is no longer a frenzy where the sky’s the limit.

So, do homeowners in Manatee County believe any of this? It sure doesn’t appear that they do. April, May, and June’s new listings are stable at 797, 787 and 784, respectively. Pending numbers are also very close with April at 1,167, May at 1,180 and June at 1,080. And, there is certainly no negative effect on the median selling price at $405,000 for April, $400,000 for May and $405,305 for June.

That said, the last three month’s new listings, pending listings and median single-family sale price appear to be leveling off. Is it buyer fatigue or are we about to see some changes? Florida has seen a large influx of new residents that started before the pandemic but has accelerated since. We are now the third-largest state in population in the country and have attracted many northeastern homeowners and businesses, alike. So, will Florida follow the national trend?

Maybe. A more normal market would be beneficial for everyone. I just don’t think we’re there yet, regardless of what may be happening in other parts of the country. Florida steps to its own drummer and has always surprised the high-end market in what is considered the more sophisticated areas of the country. But those days may be over.

You don’t need to be a prophet to know that you can’t time the stock market and you can’t time the real estate market. If it’s the right time for you to sell for reasons beyond maximizing your profit, then you must do it. If it’s the right time for you to buy, you need to find the best possible property for your family and try and make it work financially. Thankfully, none of us are Nostradamus. Where’s the fun in being him, anyway?