Finally, the end looks near for the Chinese Drywall issue that has hit many states, particularly Parkland and South Florida.  Chinese Drywall manufacturer, Knauf and its Chinese affiliate Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin, recently agreed to a settlement that would give cash to help replace the Chinese Drywall in affected homes.

The settlement will cost approximately $600 million to $1 billion.  According to NBC Miami,  the company will cover all of the necessary Chinese Drywall repairs on all 4,500 houses that were affected.  Among the homes affected, 55% of the homes are in the State of Florida. There are thousands of homeowners, mostly in the South, affected by the installation of tainted Chinese Drywall.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs said that Knauf knew that the Chinese Drywall that they installed in homes was defective and neglected to tell customers. Chinese Drywall gives off a foul odor.  It also corrodes wiring and metal in appliances and causes health problems.  Settlements have been reached with other Chinese Drywall manufactures and more should follow.

This is great news for many Parkland and Florida homeowners that have been dealing with the Chinese Drywall saga for many years.  This news will also help stabilize the overall Parkland and Florida real estate market as more and more homeowners will receive settlements in order to finally remove the Chinese Drywall in their homes.  As a result, homeowners, and their families, will soon be able to enjoy their homes that they had built.  We will continue to provide the Parkland community with updated information on the Chinese Drywall court proceedings.

Know the neighborhood. Know the value. Know your hometown agents: The Parkland Parrot Real Estate Team. If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Parkland or South Florida and are looking for experienced local Realtors, please do not hesitate to contact the Squawk at 954-609-0591 or send us a message here.

The Parkland City Commission voted last Thursday night by a 3-1 vote to permit Bonita Springs-based builder, WCI, to commence building 196 homes on the land that it owns in Parkland’s Heron Bay community

Our team was present during these council meetings and could definitely feel the frustration in the air.  In particular, a former Heron Bay homeowner, John Willis, led the charge in making a valiant claim to deny WCI the right to build.  Mr. Willis, and other concerned homeowners, presented evidence that WCI executives were aware about the tainted Chinese Drywall that was being put in their homes, but instead decided not to inform buyers in order to sell more houses.

But, WCI came prepared with their attorneys and argued that the City of Parkland did not have the legal right to deny them the bid to build the 196 homes because of Chinese Drywall issues.  The city commissioners heard other disgruntled residents state their claims.  But, in the end, the city approved WCI’s bid, because they did not want to be sued by WCI.  Parkland Mayor Michael Udine was quoted in the Sun Sentinel recently as saying, “I’m in agreement with how they (the Parkland residents) feel. Our hands were completely tied. We had to do this by law.”

Earlier this month, I wrote an article that received a lot of attention from our readers entitled, Should Builder WCI Be Allowed To Finish Parkland Heron Bay Community? Remember, WCI filed bankruptcy in 2008 and has never fixed any homes with Chinese Drywall.  Unlike WCI, builder Toll Brothers, who recently bought and took over the Parkland Golf & Country Club project from WCI, has already purchased dozens of homes in the community with Chinese Drywall and is totally re-mediating them to resell.  Many upset homeowners are angered how WCI has turned a blind eye towards their handling, or lack of handling, of homes with Chinese Drywall in Heron Bay, Parkland Golf & Country Club, and other Florida communities.

These homes must be built.  Having them stay vacant will only hurt Heron Bay and the overall Parkland real estate market in the long run.  But, it will be difficult to break the stigma that is associated with WCI as being a Chinese Drywall builder that cares more about money and their business than their residents.  How as real estate professionals am I supposed to sell the great features and benefits of Heron Bay to new perspective homeowners without being honest to my own personal concerns of how WCI has publically and privately handled the Chinese Drywall issues in Parkland?  I really hope that actions speak louder than words and that WCI builds 196 amazing homes in Heron Bay and goes above and beyond the call of duty for all residents to be 100% satisifed before, during, and after the building process!

We know the numbers, we analyze the market, our clients make better decisions. If you are interested in buying in Parkland or South Florida and are looking for experienced local Realtors, please do not hesitate to contact the Squawk at 954-609-0591 or send us a message here.

To stay updated with all Parkland real estate information, receive our blog posts via email by subscribing here. After registering, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

Not a week goes by that our team does not receives a question from perspective buyers and sellers regarding WCI Communities and the tainted Chinese Drywall issues.  For the past few years, Chinese Drywall has certainly hurt the public’s perception of overall Parkland’s Heron Bay and Parkland Golf & Country Club communities.

Tonight, all Parkland residents should attend this City Commission meeting at City Hall at 7:00 p.m. where the Commission will consider WCI’s request for approval to commence building the two new Heron Bay communities:  Somerset and Sawgrass Bay.

Important question that all Parkland residents should consider: Should we support WCI building the two Heron Bay communities? Remember, the “old” WCI was the former company that went bankrupt.  As a result, their equity was canceled, and the claims against the builder, including homes with Chinese Drywall are being addressed pursuant to the reorganization of the company and through the bankruptcy procedures.

The “new” WCI has gone through a full company face-lift including brand new shareholders, Board of Directors, CEO, and project management team.  As a result, the “new” WCI is requesting city approval to build homes in the two new Heron Bay neighborhoods.  Also both of these communities still have some homes sitting dormant for the past several years.  The following list are the commitments made by WCI:

• Funding and installing the traffic signal at Pine Island/Trails End at the City’s request, well ahead of official traffic counts warranting it.
• Funding the construction of the Plat 4 berm (a portion of Heron Bay’s northern boundary along County Line Road), well ahead of approvals requiring its construction.
• The total restoration of the Heron Bay buffers and landscaped median areas along Nob Hill Road.
• The commitment to construct the third (northern most) entry into Heron Bay in advance of approvals requiring its construction.

We strongly believe that these two Heron Bay communities must get finished.  Years have gone by, and nothing has been done to address this issue.  Also, building these homes will provide significant economic benefits to the City of Parkland. A June 2009 study by the National Association of Home Builders found that more families will move in to the Parkland area, which will generate 53 on-going local jobs, over $21 million of one-year local income, and $3.1 million of on-going local income.

I encourage all Parkland residents to attend tonight’s event.  There will be protesters that will also have their voices heard, so I look forward to this discussion and hearing from both sides.

We know the numbers, we analyze the market, our clients make better decisions. If you are interested in buying in Parkland or South Florida and are looking for experienced local Realtors, please do not hesitate to contact the Squawk at 954-609-0591 or send us a message here.

To stay updated with all Parkland real estate information, receive our blog posts via email by subscribing here. After registering, you must activate the subscription in a follow-up email.

Sun-Sentinel reported yesterday that a Palm Beach County circuit Judge Glenn Kelly ruled that installers of the toxic Chinese Drywall can be held strictly liable under certain conditions.

This is a huge win for Parkland and other homeowners whose homes have Chinese Drywall.  Now with this recent ruling, attorneys representing clients that have Chinese Drywall do not have to prove negligence, but only that the product used is defective.

The article also points out that other counties, such as Broward County, are likely to follow Judge Kelly’s recent ruling.  This ruling was a 180 degree from last month’s ruling where Judge Kelly ruled that only manufacturers and distributors, and not builders, could be held accountable.

Our team receives calls almost on a daily basis regarding the Chinese Drywall issue in the City of Parkland.  Most homeowners effected by Chinese Drywall left their homes and are struggling both emotionally and financially.  Hopefully with this recent ruling, homeowners with Chinese Drywall can finally receive the compensation that they deserve!

Recent Chinese Drywall Posts:
WCI Knew Parkland Golf and Country Club and Heron Bay Had Chinese Drywall As Early As 2006
New Federal Chinese Drywall Identification Guidelines
Parkland Chinese Drywall Task Force Established

We know the numbers, we analyze the market, our clients make better decisions. If you are interested in buying or selling real estate in Parkland or South Florida and are looking for experienced local Realtors, please do not hesitate to contact the Squawk at 954-609-0591 or send us a message here.

To stay updated with all Parkland real estate information, receive our blog posts via email by subscribing here. After registering, you must activate the subscription in a followup email.

WCI Communities Kept Quiet About The Chinese Drywall Problem As Early As 2006

Yesterday, Sun-Sentinel article reports that Bonita Springs-based-homebuilder WCI Communities was aware that homeowners were complaining about Chinese Drywall as early as 2006.  Unfortunately, WCI kept quiet and said nothing to its customers and the government.  This new information was ascertained by ProPublica and the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

The Chinese drywall issue did not catch the public’s attention until early 2009, when South Florida residents started to complain about foul smells and damaged appliances.

We reported that WCI emerged from bankruptcy protection last September. WCI built Heron Bay and Parkland Golf & Country Club, which are among the region’s hardest hit by Chinese drywall.

If WCI Communities hid the Chinese drywall problem from the many homeowners that purchased in their communities, then there is no telling what else they could be covering up from the public!

Buyers beware!  I urge perspective Parkland home buyers to hire professional and licensed home inspectors that also specialize in Chinese drywall inspections.  Any home built in 2001 or sooner should have a Chinese drywall inspection performed.  It is better to spend the extra money, so you do not become another victim of Chinese Drywall or other issues caused by WCI Communities.

WCI Communities -  Shame On You! Shame On You!

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If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland or South Florida, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

Local attorneys representing homeowners with Chinese Drywall said that FEMA’s refusal to offer relief and further investigation to this major problem is proof that the federal government does not understand the extent of the problem. FEMA has stated publicly that Chinese Drywall does not constitute as an emergency or major disaster.  However, the Florida Division of Emergency Management will try other options in order to help homeowners receive the necessary aid.

Parkland homes effected by Chinese Drywall are selling at bargain prices.  As a result, it is negatively impacting the local market in Heron Bay and Parkland Golf & Country Club.  I recently wrote an article that received a lot of attention in the public:  Buyers Can Steal Parkland Chinese Drywall Homes.  Many of these homes are now selling in the $200,000-$300,000 price range.

Click Here to Read More Article On Parkland Chinese Drywall

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If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

We have written numerous articles on Chinese Drywall and how it effects the Parkland community here on our website.  But, we have not discussed and showcased the current active homes in Parkland that were built using Chinese Drywall.

Many of our clients and readers have asked us for information regarding purchasing these homes at significantly discounted prices.  The communities that have been effected by Chinese Drywall are Heron Bay and Parkland Golf And Country Club.  The two single-family subdivisions in Heron Bay that have homes with Chinese Drywall issues are Banyan Isles and Sable Pointe.

Please click on the following hyperlink: Parkland Available Homes With Chinese Drywall to search the current inventory of Parkland homes on the market for sale with Chinese Drywall.  If you are a cash buyer and willing to pay to fix the problem, then there are some great deals out there.  Prices are as low as the $200,000 to $300,000’s, as banks want to sell these homes as soon as possible.

We are working with local, licensed Chinese Drywall inspectors that can help detect and give estimates to clear the Chinese Drywall problem. Remember, that banks are not financing homes that have evidence of Chinese Drywall.  As a result, cash is king!  Banks are willing to take huge losses.  Their loss could be your gain!

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

All in all, homeowners effected by Chinese Drywall must hire professional inspection companies that specialize in finding the tainted Chinese Drywall by identifying the presence of metal corrosion and other visual problems.

Other articles on Chinese Drywall:

• Dog Sniffing Out Chinese Drywall In Parkland?
• Unlike Florida, Louisiana Passes Law For 5 Million For Chinese Drywall Repairs
• 50% Reduction In 2009 Taxes For Homeowners Affected By Chinese Drywall
• December Chinese Drywall Deadline Fast Approaching
• FEMA Emergency Assistance To Chinese Drywall Victims?
• Finally Good News For WCI Homeowners With Chinese Drywall
• Parkland Chinese Drywall Task Force Established

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

For decades, dog-sniffing canines have been used to detect bombs and drugs. Now, these trained dogs are being used to detect Chinese Drywall in South Florida homes.

K-9 Detection Services is a local company combining trained police dogs  and home inspection.  The dogs are trained to sniff out sulfur, which is the common chemical in Chinese Drywall.  The rotten egg-like odor that comes from Chinese Drywall can sometimes take years for humans to smell.  But, these trained canines are able to detect Chinese Drywall at a very early stage.

Homeowners usually spend hundreds to thousands of dollars just to test for Chinese Drywall.  Now, using trained dogs can be a lot cheaper and just as effective.  There are as many as 36,000 Florida homes that have Chinese Drywall, which corrodes appliances and wiring.

If a perspective buyer is looking to purchase a newly built home from 2001 or sooner, it is advisable to test for Chinese Drywall.  Also, homeowners experiencing the side effects should also have their homes tested.  K-9 Detection Services can be reached at: 800-381-2055.  Hopefully, more federal and state relief will come to homeowners effected by Chinese Drywall.

Other articles on Chinese Drywall:

• Unlike Florida, Louisiana Passes Law For 5 Million For Chinese Drywall Repairs
• 50% Reduction In 2009 Taxes For Homeowners Affected By Chinese Drywall
• December Chinese Drywall Deadline Fast Approaching
• FEMA Emergency Assistance To Chinese Drywall Victims?
• Finally Good News For WCI Homeowners With Chinese Drywall
• Parkland Chinese Drywall Task Force Established

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.

Recently, the State of Louisiana passed a law allocating 5 million dollars  of the state’s grant money used for disaster relief to help repair Chinese Drywall in homes.  Shaun Donovan, secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, toured South Florida homes covered in Chinese Drywall and recommended that Florida look into using disaster relief grant money.

In Louisiana, some of the grant money is also being used to help relocate residents with Chinese Drywall to rental properties.  The disaster relief funds are also being allocated to help test for Chinese Drywall and perform home air quality tests.   A recent Sun-Sentinel article reported that there is as many as 36,000 homes in Florida affected by Chinese Drywall.

Big question that I have, as well as many politicians, such as Senator Bill Nelson, is how much money does the State of Florida have left in its disaster relief fund?  Also, could the state place restrictions on how much money a person receives based upon their income levels?

Let’s hope that Florida follows Louisiana, as thousands of Florida homeowners are suffering throughout this long process, especially in Heron Bay and Parkland Golf & Country Club!

Other articles on Chinese Drywall:

• 50% Reduction In 2009 Taxes For Homeowners Affected By Chinese Drywall
• December Chinese Drywall Deadline Fast Approaching
• FEMA Emergency Assistance To Chinese Drywall Victims?
• Finally Good News For WCI Homeowners With Chinese Drywall
• Parkland Chinese Drywall Task Force Established

To stay updated with all of the current Parkland real estate home information, receive our blog posts directly to your inbox by subscribing to the squawk.

If you are interested in buying or selling a real estate property in Parkland, please give us a call at 954-609-0591 or send a note to the squawk.