PAGE 4 Febuary 20, 2008
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Strict Watering Enforcement and
Get the best protection before you sign that contract
Fines to Begin in Citrus County
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
ricane building codes came in
Over the past few months Citrus County has been issuing warnings to those caught
to effect. When the three storms
Last week I asked my readers what
irrigating their yards during unauthorized times. Over 300 such warnings have been issued to
blew through in 2004, most
items they felt were essential to go over with
date. Most of the warnings have been delivered in partnership with the Citrus County
homes that did not have the
their buyer's agent before signing a contract.
Sheriff's Office by the Community Citizens on Patrol. Soon, two certified code enforcement
newer roof standards had on
One answer is that your agent is licensed to
inspectors will enforce the irrigation restrictions full-time in addition to the warnings issued
average more roof damage, and
check that you are getting the best deal. Many
by the Community Citizens on Patrol. Their efforts will be supplemented by seven other code
the homes that had the newer
times there is a foreclosure property not listed
enforcement inspectors who pursue other code enforcement issues, but who will also be
standards just had no or minor roof damage.
in MLS, that is located on the same street as
trained to issue citations for irrigation schedule violations. Fines range from $100.00 for first
A big difference for sure. If you do not have a
the home you have selected for a much lower
time violators up to $500.00 for three or more violations. Repeated violations after that could
buyer's agent, I will be happy to explain these
price.
include jail time. Fines will be issued beginning on March 1st.
hurricane code differences.
Next ask your agent for any "pocket"
"It is unfortunate that we need to go this route", said Robert Knight, Director of Water
Next, make sure your lender sends
listings they have. These are usually expired
Resources. "However, many citizens are using well above the target level of 150 gallons per
your prequalification loan letter to your agent
listings that the sellers will still be willing to
person per day that the Water Management District has set. In addition, we are under
to be submitted with your offer. This letter
sell. Since they may not be in the MLS sys-
proposed consent orders for over-pumping against our water use permits in Sugarmill Woods
has been covered several times in this col-
tem you could get a great deal that no body
and Pine Ridge/Citrus Springs. If we are not successful in getting their usage down signifi-
umn, and in the event of two offers on the
knows about. The beautiful thing is that is
cantly, we are faced with up to $10,000 fine per day. Although we are not technically short of
same property the pre- qual letter makes your
costs you nothing to have your agent double
water in Citrus County, we are in a drought and the dry season is upon us. Any water savings
offer look better than the others. Finally have
check for these other bargain homes. I do not
will help maintain our ground water levels and the health of our lakes and rivers".
your agent ask for a 10 day examination pe-
want it to happen that one of my readers pur-
The allowed irrigation periods apply to water obtained from any source ­ whether a
riod which allows you to get a full home in-
chases a home without double checking for
central utility, a private well, lake or other water resource. The allowed irrigation schedule ­
spection. If anything major shows up in this
these bargains, then a week later we find out
once per day only ­ is as follows:
inspection you can get your escrow money
that there is a similar property they were un-
For Addresses Ending in Can Water Either Before 8 AM or After 6 PM on
back and cancel the contract. Most inspec-
aware of, for $15,000. dollars less. After you
0 or 1  Monday 2 or 3  Tuesday 4 or 5  Wednesday 6 or 7 Thursday 8 or 9*Fri-
tions cost about $200. , and is usually money
sign the contract it is usually too late to help
day *Includes properties with no discernible address
well spent. Thanks for all of your comments
you. Next, we need to address the "protec-
NO IRRIGATION IS ALLOWED ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS
from this quiz, and please slow down before
tion items".
Property owners with 2-acre or larger parcels may water before 10 AM or after 4 PM, but only
you sign that purchase contract so you can
Before signing that contract, your
on their assigned day.
get the proper advise from your real estate
buyer's agent will advise you on flood zones,
Please help us conserve. Unnecessary irrigation not only wastes water ­ and your own
professional. Darryl Diamond and "The Dia-
potential lead based paint problems, radon
money ­ but also drives contaminants into our groundwater, springs and rivers. Visit our
mond Team" are available 7 days a week for
problems, sink hole problems, termite, wood
website at http://www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/utilities/water_conservation.htm and you will find more
all of your professional real estate needs.
rot, mold problems, electrical, and plumbing
than 30 ways you may be able to save water. Kits are also available for performing a water
Please call us at 352-447-4442 I'll see you
problems. Your seasoned professional will be
audit inside your home. For additional conservation information, please contact Bernadine
around "The Campus"
able to explain to you what year the new hur-
Flood at (352) 527-7648.
Public Notice
Edward Michaels
Vote
The Town of Inglis is sponsoring a
for Inglis Town Commission March 11
Public Information Meeting on the
Iwill support you, a bright future, and: d:
Open, honest government for uspefor us
proposed King Road Mine at 6:30 pm
Smart budget control of our money
on February 21st in the
Protection of our aquifer
Controlled, compatible growth of our town
Inglis Community Center.
www.vote4edwardmichaels.com
Paid Announcement Paid For And Approved by Tarmac, Inc.
Paid political announcement paid for and approved by Edward Michaels candidate for Inglis Town Commission (NP)
Realty
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Sunday 5am - 8pm
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