What Happens To Property Values in Neighborhoods Near Sinkhole Activity?

[elizabeth52]

While many of you who already live in the Villages seem to take the recent reports of sinkholes affecting some homes there in stride, it is a little more than scary to a potential buyer. The deductible for a non-catastrophic event could be catastrophic by itself.

Do you know how having a house with a sinkhole in a neighborhood affects the surrounding property values? Would you buy in a neighborhood that has had a sinkhole?

I think it is scary because there is no warning, so there is no way to prepare. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, snowstorms, are events that usually come with some warning.

With my luck, I'd be backing my golf cart out of the garage and drop right in! I wonder how long it would take my husband to notice I was gone????

Seriously, this is not a "the sky is falling" post, but it does make me hit the PAUSE button momentarily.

[Bogie Shooter]

While many of you who already live in the Villages seem to take the recent reports of sinkholes affecting some homes there in stride, it is a little more than scary to a potential buyer. The deductible for a non-catastrophic event could be catastrophic by itself.

Do you know how having a house with a sinkhole in a neighborhood affects the surrounding property values? Would you buy in a neighborhood that has had a sinkhole?

I think it is scary because there is no warning, so there is no way to prepare. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, snowstorms, are events that usually come with some warning.

With my luck, I'd be backing my golf cart out of the garage and drop right in! I wonder how long it would take my husband to notice I was gone????

Seriously, this is not a "the sky is falling" post, but it does make me hit the PAUSE button momentarily.

I bought in Florida!

[asianthree]

do not worry about things you can not change...if you live your life afraid, you will miss too much of life

[lam1010]

Well , I was a potential buyer with thoughts of purchasing this summer after my 3rd visit but I am now starting to rethink-- a lot more Q and A needed regarding Homeowners -Catostropic ( ect) Ins and what types are avail and not avail now to new homeowners ect .ect . ect. Anybody way in here??

[graciegirl]

Well , I was a potential buyer with thoughts of purchasing this summer after my 3rd visit but I am now starting to rethink-- a lot more Q and A needed regarding Homeowners -Catostropic ( ect) Ins and what types are avail and not avail now to new homeowners ect .ect . ect. Anybody way in here??


If you purchase near Tampa the concentration is greater. We are also the lightning capital of the United States here in Central Florida. All of the homes now built and those that will be built will be sold and we will live happily ever after.


There are AWFUL tornadoes in Oklahoma. Risk of the big one in California, and the chances of something awful happening to you here would be more like a golf cart accident. 13 people have been killed in golf cart accidents in the last four years. But no one from a sinkhole and no home has been condemned. All have been repaired. Eight homes have burnt to the ground in the last seven years in The Villages from lightning strikes.


You can play, or you can pass.

[redwitch]

Actually, there are some warnings for sinkholes -- serious foundation and wall cracks give pretty good hints that you have foundation problems, which seem to equate to sinkholes in Florida.

Every area has problems of some sort. California has mudslides (usually only hint there is a lot of rain and living on a hillside with little old growth) and earthquakes (no warnings there whatsoever); the Midwest has tornadoes (warnings they're coming but no promise of the path they will take); Northeast gets severe snow storms and some hurricanes. You have to pick and choose what risks you can live with. To me, earthquakes, sinkholes, mudslides, fires are things to respect but not something to be overly concerned about. I refuse to live in snow and blizzards and I'm not thrilled that we've have tornadoes (really, really don't like those) and would never live on either coast of Florida (have a thing about living that close to hurricanes).

I don't know if sinkholes lower neighboring property values but I imagine it would drop them somewhat unless someone can show an engineering report that the ground is very stable for a particular house (which I'm not sure is feasible). Actually, I'd be willing to buy a home that had a sinkhole repaired if I could get reasonable insurance for it.

I'd say bigger risk here is lightning strikes, which have been known to burn down a few houses in TV. We're probably going to hear of more sinkholes this year because of the weather last year -- too much rain at the wrong time.

[e-flyer]

Our insurance agency said we had a bigger risk from lightening strikes than sinkholes, I'm beginning to wonder with all this recent activity. I think getting reasonable insurance rates would be the main issue in selling a house that had sinkhole remediation. You would still be covered under your main home policy for catastrophic damage where your home is deemed unsafe to live in (Fl. law), but I'm guessing based on the house past history the rates would be very high. I doubt any company would underwrite a secondary sinkhole insurance policy. Secondary policies cover issues that arise from having activity under or near the house that cause problems such as window/door sticking, cracks in foundation, walls, or slabs and you now have to pay a high deductible like 10-25% unless you are grandfathered in under an existing policy. When we bought last year, we checked out several companies and they all said if there had been a sinkhole within a mile of the home to forget about getting secondary sinkhole insurance. They said a lot of companies that previously wrote policies had stopped, kind of like hurricane policies. We also had friends tell us last year that their secondary sinkhole policy was not renewed on their five year old house (basically, the company stopped writing sinkhole policies in Fl.). I guess it's the chance we take for living in Paradise!

[VT2TV]

I do understands your concerns, but...every place in the country has problems of some kind, either sink holes, weather, dangerous animals, etc. You are concerned about buying a home here. Are you planning on returning to rent or vacation here?? If you are, that doesn't make sense. Sink holes don't just happen to the people who own the homes. They could happen to the homes you are renting. You just never know.I am not trying to make light of this, but there are things you can do to be pro-active to try to minimize sink hole damage to your property. I may have a sink hole tomorrow, or I may get struck by lightening, or I may be in a car accident. No guarantees in life. Just love what you do and do what you love.

[wendyquat]

While many of you who already live in the Villages seem to take the recent reports of sinkholes affecting some homes there in stride, it is a little more than scary to a potential buyer. The deductible for a non-catastrophic event could be catastrophic by itself.

Do you know how having a house with a sinkhole in a neighborhood affects the surrounding property values? Would you buy in a neighborhood that has had a sinkhole?

I think it is scary because there is no warning, so there is no way to prepare. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, snowstorms, are events that usually come with some warning.

With my luck, I'd be backing my golf cart out of the garage and drop right in! I wonder how long it would take my husband to notice I was gone????

Seriously, this is not a "the sky is falling" post, but it does make me hit the PAUSE button momentarily.

You do realize that you answered your own question?

[senior citizen]

While many of you who already live in the Villages seem to take the recent reports of sinkholes affecting some homes there in stride, it is a little more than scary to a potential buyer. The deductible for a non-catastrophic event could be catastrophic by itself.

Do you know how having a house with a sinkhole in a neighborhood affects the surrounding property values? Would you buy in a neighborhood that has had a sinkhole?

I think it is scary because there is no warning, so there is no way to prepare. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, snowstorms, are events that usually come with some warning.

With my luck, I'd be backing my golf cart out of the garage and drop right in! I wonder how long it would take my husband to notice I was gone????

Seriously, this is not a "the sky is falling" post, but it does make me hit the PAUSE button momentarily.


AMEN

Elizabeth....you truly "get it"........as does everyone else I have spoken to**. We pray that everyone and their homes stay safe, but it is a concern and not a minor one at that.

**Except for the apologetics who feel the need to post with disdain towards innocent honest comments or concerns.
The word "apologetics" is derived from the Greek word "apologia" which means to make a defense. It has come to mean defense of the faith. I'm not using it as refers to religion here, but to a defense of their hometown.

Obviously, those already living in The Villages do not get too excited about these news blips on sinkholes in The Villages, that seem to be happening more frequently. More power to them, for their stoicism. Actually, I can understand both sides of any story.

From afar, people can be a bit more concerned perhaps......
At our age in life, it's too hard to begin over again and then over again due to a catastrophic ground collapse. God forbid.

I loved that second to the last paragraph. ditto.
"What?" "Grandma's missing?" I wonder if they'd find me?

My fear would be that it would happen "under the bedroom area" ****and no one would realize that such an event had occurred if they did not see it with their own eyes as compared to an outdoor sinkhole which is more visible. ****(such as what happened to the man in Brandon, Tampa Bay area, where no one could rescue him from his bed)

Again........I say "AMEN". Thanks for posting important feelings, shared by many of us still living out of state but gearing up to list our homes for sale.

[OBXNana]

We're in PA and have sink holes. There is one that keeps developing about 3 miles from Hersheypark. It became a "hot" commercial property. The value escalated as interest grew. There is now a sports bar called the Sink Hole. Within the last 2 months the hole reopened and when the road reopened, the place was packed with patrons. I understand this is a commercial property and not residential, but the owners saw beyond and capitalized.

With rates increasing, housing prices going up, only you can decide what level of risk you're willing to take. We tend to see life through our rose colored glasses and so far, we have few regrets with the decisions we've made. This includes our recent purchase in The Villages.

[BarryRX]

The OP has made a very legitimate comment. How in the world will the home owners of the homes immediately impacted by the recent sinkholes ever resell their homes? I would think that they would have to reveal that there has been major sinkhole repair to their property when selling the home, and with all the homes available, why wouldn't a potential buyer just look elsewhere? I guess the real question that should be asked is " if I have had a sinkhole on my property repaired, is my property in more danger, less danger, or the same danger as a property that has never had a sinkhole." Now, everyone will voice an opinion on this, but it would be nice to hear from a geologist.

[mickey100]

The OP has made a very legitimate comment. How in the world will the home owners of the homes immediately impacted by the recent sinkholes ever resell their homes? I would think that they would have to reveal that there has been major sinkhole repair to their property when selling the home, and with all the homes available, why wouldn't a potential buyer just look elsewhere? I guess the real question that should be asked is " if I have had a sinkhole on my property repaired, is my property in more danger, less danger, or the same danger as a property that has never had a sinkhole." Now, everyone will voice an opinion on this, but it would be nice to hear from a geologist.

Well said. I would not let the threat of Florida sinkholes keep me from moving here, but if I had the chance of buying a house near a house that had previous sinkhole activity, or in a neighborhood that was devoid of sinkholes, it would be a no brainer. I don't see any reason it wouldn't lower property values, unless, there was professional engineering verified reports that the property was safe or safer than other properties.

[jimbo2012]

Out of about 55,000 homes a handful had issues, those are good odds.

You must get full sinkhole insurance when you close not just catastrophic,

[ssmith]

Elisabeth, Good question.

Glad no one has attacked the poster.

It is good to do due diligence before moving and make a decision that you are comfortable with.

I have been on this forum waaayyyy tooo long....STILL a Wannabe.

The Villages has sinkholes, lightening, had a tornado, has black bears, panterhs, snakes, alligators, snowbirds, New Yorkers (Ok just kidding here).

AND YET I would LOVE to live there. There is no place like it!!!! The people are great, the actiities can'be topped, the place is beautiful and again the PEOPLE ARE THE BEST!!!!

[TraceyMooreRN]

Is it my understanding that some homeowners here do not have Sinkhole Insurance? I know when I purchased my home- ASI insurance offered me sinkhole coverage, but at a 10% deductible for the amount insured on my house.

Was this insurance offered to some homes and not others??? I am feeling very sorry for the two homes mostly impacted in Buttonwood and now Mallory. The cost of the one deductible 21,000+/- ....and now seeing Buttonwood problem might not be fixed?

[raynan]

ssmith...Don't forget the 9 wild boars they hunted down and killed over on the Heron golf course last week and the water moccasins on hole #9 on Jacaranda golf course. I'd still live nowhere else. Love it here.

[asianthree]

Sinkhole insurance is not usually offered on preowned

[elizabeth52]

Sinkhole insurance is not usually offered on preowned

So other than a catastrophic event that would be covered by your homeowners policy, the owner of a pre-owned home would bear 100% of the costs associated with any repairs/damage due to sinkholes?

[Bogie Shooter]

So other than a catastrophic event that would be covered by your homeowners policy, the owner of a pre-owned home would bear 100% of the costs associated with any repairs/damage due to sinkholes?

My advice to you. Since you have concerns about insurance, you should call an insurance representative here in Florida. You are only going to get opinions from the posters. Some may be right others will relate what they heard on the 19th hole.
An Internet search can give you phone numbers of local insurance reps.

[Scouty]

Remember the sink hole that swallowed the corvette museum in Kentucky or Tenn? We are really no different than any other place in the USA.

[TVMayor]

It is my personal opinion I have equal risk with sink hole, lightning, tornados. All three have destroyed houses in TV. If I lived on the ocean beach erosion could claps my house in one storm. At another home I owned in FL my home suffered accumulative damage from 3 hurricanes before the insurance adjuster got to my house for a total of $62,000 damage. I can avoid ocean damage, mud slides, avalanches and maybe just maybe earth quakes. Another option would be a house in Detroit, low cost $10,000/$20,000.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The OP has made a very legitimate comment. How in the world will the home owners of the homes immediately impacted by the recent sinkholes ever resell their homes? I would think that they would have to reveal that there has been major sinkhole repair to their property when selling the home, and with all the homes available, why wouldn't a potential buyer just look elsewhere? I guess the real question that should be asked is " if I have had a sinkhole on my property repaired, is my property in more danger, less danger, or the same danger as a property that has never had a sinkhole." Now, everyone will voice an opinion on this, but it would be nice to hear from a geologist.

I think that the sales pitch would be that we've already had a sink hole and it has been repaired and the ground is now stable. The odds against having another one on this property are astronomical. In fact there might be more of a risk in buying a home that's never had a sink hole.

[justjim]

Insurance is certainly an issue with sinkholes. Most have a substantial investment in their homes and insurance companies can be difficult to deal with.

I feel really bad for those dealing with sinkholes in TV right now. They could use our concerns and our prayers.

Where I was raised we had "mine subsidence", another form of sinkhole. The school I went to had to be closed due to mine subsidence. The so called "experts" said it was ok to build back in the same place and guess what? It fell in again!

Lawsuits were filed and it was several years before it was settled. The school was finally built on property about a mile or so away.

Now, would be a good time to check insurance policies. Maybe there needs to be some legislation passed regarding insurance and sinkholes. Something to research.

[tucson]

Sinkhole has expanded....www.**************.com

[tucson]

************** website today...

[jaimeG]

I am sure the value of the home near the sinkhole in TV is affected. How would you feel if you had to make that claim against your insurance. Once you make that claim to them, you are going to be uninsurable to 99% of the company's in Florida. That's why when you make a claim for that you want it to be for the worst case. Even if you make a claim on the sinkhole coverage and its not for a total loss, you will still face the same situation. That is why the extra for sinkhole coverage might not be worth it. Because you want to do what ever you can not report a claim, like I said unless its worse case. Once you do it hurts your chances at getting home coverage in the future and also anyone who ever buys the house too. That will drop the value

[Bruiser1]

Someone asked if sinkholes can be found anywhere else.

Here is proof that it isn't a regional problem. This is the SE corner of Minnesota.


Finding Minnesota: The Sinkhole Capital Of The U.S. « CBS Minnesota (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2014/04/13/finding-minnesota-the-sinkhole-capital-of-the-u-s/)

[hoseman]

FYI only: On the Atlanta morning TV news about the Villages sink hole.

Said the limestone under ground is deteriorating more rapidly than in the past. (or something like that as I really wasn't listening however I was amazed seeing the hole in the ground).

[geri317]

The question was, would you buy a home that has had a sinkhole such as this one. I would not, because there are so many homes in the Villages to buy, why buy one that has had a significant sinkhole repaired. I am hoping the Villages out of kindness will relocate these two families, demolish the homes affected and plant some bushes and plants on the lots. I don't think the owners will ever be able to sell these homes.

[NoMoSno]

I am hoping the Villages out of kindness will relocate these two families, demolish the homes affected and plant some bushes and plants on the lots.

Don't hold your breath.

[Bogie Shooter]

I am hoping the Villages out of kindness will relocate these two families, demolish the homes affected and plant some bushes and plants on the lots. .

Don't hold your breath.

:a20:

[Steve9930]

The question was, would you buy a home that has had a sinkhole such as this one. I would not, because there are so many homes in the Villages to buy, why buy one that has had a significant sinkhole repaired. I am hoping the Villages out of kindness will relocate these two families, demolish the homes affected and plant some bushes and plants on the lots. I don't think the owners will ever be able to sell these homes.

If the home with a sink hole was repaired properly is a home that no longer will have a problem with sink holes. The house now sets on solid rock!

[mulligan]

Funny....nobody has jumped all over the ramifications of dumping all this fill, concrete, etc. into the aquifer. Could make for some interesting discussion regarding pollution of ground water.

[Golfingnut]

We should add sink hole research data to wannabes asking for advise about buying in TV. I would never buy a house in close proximity of a recent sink hole.

[Golfingnut]

Funny....nobody has jumped all over the ramifications of dumping all this fill, concrete, etc. into the aquifer. Could make for some interesting discussion regarding pollution of ground water.

Very true. If a sink hole forms, they should allow it to be a pond and remove homes close by.

[senior citizen]

I also just read that anyone living within a mile of a sinkhole will be affected in the pocketbook.**

These unseen caverns and catacombs under the ground are the frightening part as one never knows where a new sinkhole will pop up next. If I lived next door to the recent one, I would not be so complacent. No one can truly see what is going on under the ground on the entire block of homes.

Also, from what I read....the ones in Lake County can occur "abruptly" without warning.

**Meaning not being able to sell their home, or else if they can sell it to a very brave stoic person (and whom would that be?), the price would be rock bottom.....and who can start over again easily when they are old and retired?

p.s.
Were these potential sinkholes revealed to new buyers years ago?
It might be a class action lawsuit. The old saying, "Buyer Beware" comes to mind.

[Golfingnut]

Are realtors required to disclose nearby sinkholes to buyers?

[In awe of TV]

If the home with a sink hole was repaired properly is a home that no longer will have a problem with sink holes. The house now sets on solid rock!


The house maybe sitting on solid rock, but the area around the solid rock is unstable and still susceptible to ground collapse. No? Just asking.

The hole was filled with concrete, etc and sunk another 6 ft. I realize it was settling however, what's to stop it from sinking further?

[senior citizen]

The house maybe sitting on solid rock, but the area around the solid rock is unstable and still susceptible to ground collapse. No? Just asking.

The hole was filled with concrete, etc and sunk another 6 ft. I realize it was settling however, what's to stop it from sinking further?


Good reasoning; we've been wondering the same.
It's great to be eternally optimistic, but foolhardy not to do the research. There is a wealth of info on Florida sinkholes out there.
Also, which counties they are more prevalent and less prevalent......more severe, less severe; more prone to happen etc.

No one has control over Mother Nature's hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, flooding, etc........but one does have a choice as to where to build or buy their retirement home.

The hurricanes and tornados do not particularly bother me as there will be some warning. Not so for these sinkholes or worse yet, a catastrophic ground collapse. We are definitely not naïve to think they will never occur again, repeatedly......especially with climate change and more frequent rains. Florida's climate has definitely changed, along with the rest of the U.S.


http://water.usgs.gov/edu/sinkholes.html (http://water.usgs.gov/edu/sinkholes.html)

USGS Water-Science School data on sinkholes.
Very educational; keep scrolling downward.

[graciegirl]

Senior. No one knows where a sinkhole will happen so a class action suit is not an answer.


Here is a map showing conditions that can cause sinkholes in the U.S. As you can see Florida is very prone.


http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kPEtXsk68lk/SP9JdEUKk4I/AAAAAAAAEGA/ww8lZdx3USM/s400/fig1.gif

[John_W]

Originally Posted by geri317 View Post
I am hoping the Villages out of kindness will relocate these two families, demolish the homes affected and plant some bushes and plants on the lots.

Our CYV's were new in 2011. One of the homes on our street was purchased by a snowbird and while they were gone there was a major water leak in the slab. When they returned the M/Br and bath were flooded. They called the warranty department and TV fixed the problem free. They replaced everything in that area, new vanity, new flooring, new drywall, new trim, etc. It was a major repair with sledgehammers into the slab and took three weeks.

After it was fixed the owners put the home on the market with TV Real Estate. It sold quickly and when the new neighbors arrived after closing, another neighbor asked them if they had any concerns about the water leak. The new owners didn't know a thing about it. They got a lawyer and contacted TV and was told they didn't need to inform them because the problem was fixed by the warrantly department.

After a few months, those people listed the home with TV Real Estate and it sold quickly again. When the new neighbors arrived, the same neighbor asked them about the water leak. They responded we were never told. That was a month ago, so now were hoping these folks stay. Third owners in three years.

[jflynn1]

While many of you who already live in the Villages seem to take the recent reports of sinkholes affecting some homes there in stride, it is a little more than scary to a potential buyer. The deductible for a non-catastrophic event could be catastrophic by itself.

Do you know how having a house with a sinkhole in a neighborhood affects the surrounding property values? Would you buy in a neighborhood that has had a sinkhole?

I think it is scary because there is no warning, so there is no way to prepare. Earthquakes, Hurricanes, Tornadoes, snowstorms, are events that usually come with some warning.

With my luck, I'd be backing my golf cart out of the garage and drop right in! I wonder how long it would take my husband to notice I was gone????



Seriously, this is not a "the sky is falling" post, but it does make me hit the PAUSE button momentarily.
Is a new construction site tested for sinkholes?
In most cases, no. It is generally not required by building codes, and most building contractors do not provide testing on private home sites because of the additional expense.
In some cases public building construction sites in sinkhole areas may be tested and reinforced as needed for safety and liability reasons.
I am buying a new home and I want to know if there is a sinkhole disclosure law
Currently the Florida Statutes (Statute 627.7073 (2)(c)) require that a seller of real property is only obligated to disclose to the buyer that a sinkhole claim was made against the property and that the claim was paid by the insurer; they must also disclose whether the funds paid were used to repair the insured damage.

Statutes may be modified during annual legislative sessions, so it is always prudent to check the most current statutes (see question #13 above). Most real estate seller’s disclosure forms used in Florida today include a sinkhole disclosure statement that covers sinkholes and earth movements in general. Sometimes it is overlooked. If it is in question, be sure to ask.

[TexaninVA]

Very true. If a sink hole forms, they should allow it to be a pond and remove homes close by.

Just to clarify ... is this a serious recommendation you just made, or are you engaging in a special type of humor?

[surething]

Yes, interesting point you make, and note this link with interesting information about past sinkholes, retention ponds and water quality.....

Sinkholes in The Villages Florida - What You Need to Know (http://www.thevillagesfloridabook.com/sinkholes-in-the-villages-what-you-need-to-know/)

[rubicon]

Our CYV's were new in 2011. One of the homes on our street was purchased by a snowbird and while they were gone there was a major water leak in the slab. When they returned the M/Br and bath were flooded. They called the warranty department and TV fixed the problem free. They replaced everything in that area, new vanity, new flooring, new drywall, new trim, etc. It was a major repair with sledgehammers into the slab and took three weeks.

After it was fixed the owners put the home on the market with TV Real Estate. It sold quickly and when the new neighbors arrived after closing, another neighbor asked them if they had any concerns about the water leak. The new owners didn't know a thing about it. They got a lawyer and contacted TV and was told they didn't need to inform them because the problem was fixed by the warrantly department.

After a few months, those people listed the home with TV Real Estate and it sold quickly again. When the new neighbors arrived, the same neighbor asked them about the water leak. They responded we were never told. That was a month ago, so now were hoping these folks stay. Third owners in three years.

I question how one can skirt Disclosure Laws. someone/or many are game playing and the fact that it was repaired by the Warranty Department means nothing as the water leak needed to be disclosed why it occurred how it was corrected by whom etc. If the facts are accurately recounted then I would never place my trust in The Villages Real Estate.

I pay extra for sink hole coverage and I paid to have my property inspected
before the insurance company would accept coverage.

The insurance companies in Florida have all government officials on the run because if they don't get their way they threaten to pull out of the state

[janmcn]

We won't have to wait that long to find out if adjacent property values are effected by sinkhole activity. There are six new listings today in Buttonwood, out of 11 for sale total, listed with TV. See how long it takes these houses to sell and at what price.

[ilovetv]

Our CYV's were new in 2011. One of the homes on our street was purchased by a snowbird and while they were gone there was a major water leak in the slab. When they returned the M/Br and bath were flooded. They called the warranty department and TV fixed the problem free. They replaced everything in that area, new vanity, new flooring, new drywall, new trim, etc. It was a major repair with sledgehammers into the slab and took three weeks.

After it was fixed the owners put the home on the market with TV Real Estate. It sold quickly and when the new neighbors arrived after closing, another neighbor asked them if they had any concerns about the water leak. The new owners didn't know a thing about it. They got a lawyer and contacted TV and was told they didn't need to inform them because the problem was fixed by the warrantly department.

After a few months, those people listed the home with TV Real Estate and it sold quickly again. When the new neighbors arrived, the same neighbor asked them about the water leak. They responded we were never told. That was a month ago, so now were hoping these folks stay. Third owners in three years.

Maybe the buyers sold quickly because they have a really sh***y neighbor who is not for harmony among neighbors, but is chomping at the bit to cause them angst about a problem that no longer exists.

The slab crack/leakage could have been due to the concrete mix or plumbing pipe/valve problem, and not necessarily to ground movement. I just looked at our disclosure and it is ten pages and asks nothing about the slab. The only question I could find was "f. Are you aware of any plumbing leaks since you have owned the property".

Also, this is why home inspections are done when buying.

[Ron1Z]

We arrived last Saturday only to here about a sink hole in Buttonwood. I can tell you as a future buyer this puts you on edge. Just wondering if other communities have as many as TV? I know they can happen anywhere but not as common as central florida.

[janmcn]

We arrived last Saturday only to here about a sink hole in Buttonwood. I can tell you as a future buyer this puts you on edge. Just wondering if other communities have as many as TV? I know they can happen anywhere but not as common as central florida.


The bigger question is will you be able to get sinkhole insurance. Use this opportunity to sit down with an insurance agent and find that out now before you start shopping for a home.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

We arrived last Saturday only to here about a sink hole in Buttonwood. I can tell you as a future buyer this puts you on edge. Just wondering if other communities have as many as TV? I know they can happen anywhere but not as common as central florida.

Many communities have far more than TV. I've been here two years and this is the first one I've heard about. There are 60,000 homes here and from what I understand less than a dozen sinkhole problems in the past 30 years.

Like someone said, sinkholes happen, hurricanes happen, tornadoes happen, lightning strikes happen. No matter where you live natural catastrophes can happen.

People are reading this thread and getting the impression that this is some kind of widespread problem. It is not. Sinkholes are rare.

[Bogie Shooter]

We arrived last Saturday only to here about a sink hole in Buttonwood. I can tell you as a future buyer this puts you on edge. Just wondering if other communities have as many as TV? I know they can happen anywhere but not as common as central florida.

Then Central Florida may not be the place for you.
Look at the other posts on this thread, there are maps pointing out all the sinkholes in Florida............don't worry about something you cannot control.

[justjim]

We won't have to wait that long to find out if adjacent property values are effected by sinkhole activity. There are six new listings today in Buttonwood, out of 11 for sale total, listed with TV. See how long it takes these houses to sell and at what price.

The Village of Buttonwood is pretty large. Someone living in Village of St. Charles or Village of St. James may actually live closer to the sinkhole than someone in Buttonwood. Unless the home for sale is in the immediate neighborhood of the sinkhole you probably won't find any selling time difference.

People have short memories----I doubt if it makes a difference a year from now. You can be pretty sure there will be another sinkhole in TV-----hopefully not in my yard or yours. :read:

[maryanddoug]

See your name a lot.....please help me as to how to post a thread/post....what is the difference. I have a great lawn service and I want to put something on here about him. Thanks for your help!

[janmcn]

See your name a lot.....please help me as to how to post a thread/post....what is the difference. I have a great lawn service and I want to put something on here about him. Thanks for your help!

Go to the Forum Jump drop down menu at the bottom of the first page and find the category you want to post on. To recommend a lawn service, it would be landscaping. Type your post and hit submit reply. I'm not sure with only six posts you are allowed to recommend someone on this forum.

[elizabeth52]

Many communities have far more than TV. I've been here two years and this is the first one I've heard about. There are 60,000 homes here and from what I understand less than a dozen sinkhole problems in the past 30 years.

Like someone said, sinkholes happen, hurricanes happen, tornadoes happen, lightning strikes happen. No matter where you live natural catastrophes can happen.

People are reading this thread and getting the impression that this is some kind of widespread problem. It is not. Sinkholes are rare.

You are correct that there are less sinkholes that are of the catastrophic ground collapse. That is not the norm. Those types of sinkholes are not widespread; however, it is the sinkhole damage that is NOT of the catastrophic type that is more concerning to me as a potential buyer.

I contacted Allstate insurance and was told that there have been many homes affected by sinkhole problems in the Villages, as well as, all over the State of Florida. And while some insurers currently will offer a policy with a 10% cost of the home deductible, it is anticipated that in the very near future there will be NO sinkhole coverage for new construction or resale homes. Small sinkholes near foundations, under lanai's, garage floors, shifting walls, lanai's, sunkens spots in driveways; windows or door jambs that have shifted out of alignment are more the norm (I'm not talking about normal settling issues). This can run into well into $100,00 or more depending on the extent of the damage. I can deal with a large deductible, but NO insurance????? That's an awful lot of risk.

[senior citizen]

We won't have to wait that long to find out if adjacent property values are effected by sinkhole activity. There are six new listings today in Buttonwood, out of 11 for sale total, listed with TV. See how long it takes these houses to sell and at what price.


They will no doubt sell quickly to some unsuspecting out of staters who are totally unaware and in the dark about sinkholes in Florida.

Good folks who have never done their research prior to buying.........

[senior citizen]

Yes, interesting point you make, and note this link with interesting information about past sinkholes, retention ponds and water quality.....

Sinkholes in The Villages Florida - What You Need to Know (http://www.thevillagesfloridabook.com/sinkholes-in-the-villages-what-you-need-to-know/)


EXCELLENT. Thank you.

[graciegirl]

They will no doubt sell quickly to some unsuspecting out of staters who are totally unaware and in the dark about sinkholes in Florida.

Good folks who have never done their research prior to buying.........



PLEASE know that a sinkhole has to be disclosed. AND will be disclosed or the seller is liable. Those are the laws in Florida and anyone not disclosing would be legally liable just as anywhere else.. It must be disclosed by the sellers. Period.


Sinkholes do not COMMONLY occur. Please reread all of the very good information that has already been printed. The insurance for sinkholes that worked so well was badly abused by insurance fraud and so the laws were changed. There is no conspiracy. This isn't any thing different here in The Villages than the Tampa area for instance, except the Tampa area is MORE subject to sinkholes. We are NOT the sinkhole capital of Florida. It is troubling and worrisome and can be expensive but in life there are no guarantees. There will be more sinkholes and more houses will be burned to the ground due to lightning strikes and there will be hurricanes in Florida and Texas will need rain and get too much and nature will be ugly...EVERYWHERE. There is a huge storm, a dangerous storm predicted for tonight and tomorrow affecting much of this country and tornadoes are predicted.


I can understand your fears. I played golf yesterday very close to the home where the sinkhole was and I thought about it. We are all going about our business as usual. Life becomes shorter everyday. We all have to make choices.


Our Friday golf group discussed it and we are still very glad we are here..HERE.

[senior citizen]

You are correct that there are less sinkholes that are of the catastrophic ground collapse. That is not the norm. Those types of sinkholes are not widespread; however, it is the sinkhole damage that is NOT of the catastrophic type that is more concerning to me as a potential buyer.

I contacted Allstate insurance and was told that there have been many homes affected by sinkhole problems in the Villages, as well as, all over the State of Florida. And while some insurers currently will offer a policy with a 10% cost of the home deductible, it is anticipated that in the very near future there will be NO sinkhole coverage for new construction or resale homes. Small sinkholes near foundations, under lanai's, garage floors, shifting walls, lanai's, sunkens spots in driveways; windows or door jambs that have shifted out of alignment are more the norm (I'm not talking about normal settling issues). This can run into well into $100,00 or more depending on the extent of the damage. I can deal with a large deductible, but NO insurance????? That's an awful lot of risk.


I agree with you.

http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/9630/20140425/villages-florida-sinkhole-reopens-65-feet-wife-deep-between-two.htm (http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/9630/20140425/villages-florida-sinkhole-reopens-65-feet-wife-deep-between-two.htm)


This was just sent to me. Residents have now been evacuated. Not a minor issue.


Friends and relatives have been telling me it is all over their local news t.v. stations......in various parts of the U.S......so the word is spreading. They knew we were planning to retire to T.V.


Guess full disclosure is "out there"...............like the "X Files".












　

[graciegirl]

I agree with you.

http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/9630/20140425/villages-florida-sinkhole-reopens-65-feet-wife-deep-between-two.htm (http://www.travelerstoday.com/articles/9630/20140425/villages-florida-sinkhole-reopens-65-feet-wife-deep-between-two.htm)


This was just sent to me. Residents have now been evacuated. Not a minor issue.


Friends and relatives have been telling me it is all over their local news t.v. stations......in various parts of the U.S......so the word is spreading. They knew we were planning to retire to T.V.


Guess full disclosure is "out there"...............like the "X Files".












　



That news is not up to date. But THIS IS.....;


Quiet returns to Chalmer Terrace after week-long sinkhole drama



All was quiet Friday afternoon on Chalmer Terrace in the Village of Buttonwood.

All was quiet on Chalmer Terrace Friday afternoon following six days of drama after a sinkhole dramatically expanded the day before Easter Sunday.
Gone were the Orlando television trucks, Villages Public Safety and Community Watch.
The lone person to be seen Friday afternoon was a Helicon Property Restoration employee, hosing down the street.
The two homes in the Village of Buttonwood which had dangled Saturday night on the edge of a 60-foot sinkhole, still bear the bright orange signs declaring them uninhabitable.
The owners of both homes were out of the town when the drama unfolded this weekend.
On Thursday, Gina Lambert of the Villages Public Safety Department told the media that it was time to watch and wait. Eighteen truckloads of fill dirt were hauled in mid-week after the sinkhole expanded again.

The scene Saturday evening in the Village of Buttonwood.


This forum does not allow links to the villages (dash) news.com. Nor does it allow cut and pasted pictures of the homes. So I cannot link you, but it is a good way to get valid and up to date news. We live here and know what is happening, minute to minute.

[PaPaLarry]

That news is not up to date. But THIS IS.....;


Quiet returns to Chalmer Terrace after week-long sinkhole drama



All was quiet Friday afternoon on Chalmer Terrace in the Village of Buttonwood.

All was quiet on Chalmer Terrace Friday afternoon following six days of drama after a sinkhole dramatically expanded the day before Easter Sunday.
Gone were the Orlando television trucks, Villages Public Safety and Community Watch.
The lone person to be seen Friday afternoon was a Helicon Property Restoration employee, hosing down the street.
The two homes in the Village of Buttonwood which had dangled Saturday night on the edge of a 60-foot sinkhole, still bear the bright orange signs declaring them uninhabitable.
The owners of both homes were out of the town when the drama unfolded this weekend.
On Thursday, Gina Lambert of the Villages Public Safety Department told the media that it was time to watch and wait. Eighteen truckloads of fill dirt were hauled in mid-week after the sinkhole expanded again.

The scene Saturday evening in the Village of Buttonwood.


This forum does not allow links to the villages (dash) news.com. Nor does it allow cut and pasted pictures of the homes. So I cannot link you, but it is a good way to get valid and up to date news. We live here and know what is happening, minute to minute.
Thanks Gracie!!

[elizabeth52]

I really respect everyone on this forum. And it has been my dream to live here. But I do not understand why everyone keeps saying that sinkholes are rare in the Villages. Maybe these catastrophic types are rare, I agree, but are you saying that sinkhole activity has not affected many homes in the Villages, just like in other parts of Florida? Even the Villages sales rep admits to this lesser form of activity. To say that this is rare is misleading.

[senior citizen]

The house maybe sitting on solid rock, but the area around the solid rock is unstable and still susceptible to ground collapse. No? Just asking.

The hole was filled with concrete, etc and sunk another 6 ft. I realize it was settling however, what's to stop it from sinking further?

And this would be an intelligent concern for any new buyer.....

Apparently, some of the residents in T.V. are supremely happy and not concerned at all about their own property or what might befall it if they are the unlucky ones next time around. God Forbid.
Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I woke up to so many emails this morning, all with links to out of the U.S. newspapers.........I'll just list one, from the United Kingdom. It may be shoved under the rug by some, but it's big news to those around the world and all over the U.S. apparently.

After reading the U.K. news article, I clicked on the video at the bottom and actually was pleasantly surprised to see that NOT ALL THE RESIDENTS are in their 40's/55, etc. but the age of average retirees and how we'll all be when we age. Too old to start over again. (although aging is not a popular topic, it's a fact of life)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2611325/SinFlorida-opening-again.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2611325/SinFlorida-opening-again.html)

Click hyperlink above and keep scrolling to the bottom photos..........aerial views, etc.

Even our good friends "across the pond" in United Kingdom have heard......

Ditto, just got an email from a Canadian cousin......so the "cat's out of the bag" so to speak.
__________________________________________________ ___

I also just saw a 20 foot deep sinkhole story from the Ocala newspaper......(a few months back, opened on county road.)

Just go to the Ocala newspaper online to read story and see numerous photos in slide show....

""Pamela Calero, a spokeswoman for the Ocala, estimated the width of the sinkhole as about the size of a manhole and the depth at around 20 feet.""

If you double click on the side photo, you can see the SLIDE SHOW which is very long.......

The Ocala sinkhole wasn't wide, just the size of a manhole cover, however, I can imagine someone sitting on their toilet in the privacy of their home, alone.

Who would know they were missing?

Our hearts and prayers go out to the homeowners in Buttonwood and elsewhere, as any repair, whether it be for water damage, drainage issues, etc. drain the bank account (no pun intended as we ourselves had to put in French Drains after 20 years of living in this house with no issues at all........torrential rains became the norm , on top of heavy snow accumulation and quick thaw/melt...) however, once that tropical storm hit Vermont, we were so relieved to have spent the money ........as not a drop seeped in. That was the storm that wreaked havoc on the Jersey shore and destroyed roads and bridges up the spine of our Green Mountain State, leaving folks up in the mountain villages unable to go down the mountain, either to the east, nor to the west.......it was a terrible disaster. All new bridges and roads had to be built......it was the first time Vermont made the national news. Will never forget the vision of those homes, barns, horses, cows, etc. floating down the river.

Out of state visitors would call our chambers of commerce to ask if it was safe to come.......we told the truth. Each time we'd go north, we'd see the slow progress of putting things back together again.........

Climate change is here to stay, no matter what state one resides in.

Even new home construction in Vermont is now intelligently adding French Drains during the building process.










　


　

[loveinthesun]

Sink holes are anywhere you go. It's all a chance, just make sure you have the proper insurance is all I'd reccomend.

[Ron1Z]

I agree with you elizabeth. It is our dream also in a few years. I get my best information from the local pool gosip.

[senior citizen]

I really respect everyone on this forum. And it has been my dream to live here. But I do not understand why everyone keeps saying that sinkholes are rare in the Villages. Maybe these catastrophic types are rare, I agree, but are you saying that sinkhole activity has not affected many homes in the Villages, just like in other parts of Florida? Even the Villages sales rep admits to this lesser form of activity. To say that this is rare is misleading.



The smallest of "cave in's" visible in the ground or invisible underground would be concerning to anyone, if truth be told.

About nine years ago we had a massive groundhog invasion.
These critters are super big, bigger than the Florida rodents.

They had tunnels under our back property.............

They build apartment houses with many rooms under the earth, under your shrubs, etc............it took a long time to eradicate them. We finally had all of the old shrubs on the hill removed and the earth bulldozed............this was to get rid of the ones that my husband didn't capture in his have a heart traps......totally reshaped the land back there and put on a deck. .....followed by a three season sun room...........but who knows when they will return? Probably digging their new caverns right now.

We are practical people and want to know the truth; don't have our heads in the sand/ground like the groundhogs.

[graciegirl]

I really respect everyone on this forum. And it has been my dream to live here. But I do not understand why everyone keeps saying that sinkholes are rare in the Villages. Maybe these catastrophic types are rare, I agree, but are you saying that sinkhole activity has not affected many homes in the Villages, just like in other parts of Florida? Even the Villages sales rep admits to this lesser form of activity. To say that this is rare is misleading.



I am not trying to mislead you, only calm you. We bought our first home here in 2006, I think that year there was a sinkhole in or under a major pond near the hospital and it drained out in a very short time. In my memory there has been a sinkhole , of significant size to know about, either reported in the Sun or here on this forum about once a year. There have been sinkholes that I recall at Sunset Point, St.James, and twice in the middle of streets. There have been smaller holes, quickly filled and not much talked about. I don't know what the definition of rare would be, but once or twice a year among 40,000 homes? Once or twice a year in a roughly 100 square mile area?


People who sell houses aren't going to sit down and say, Hey, you might want to know that we have had eight homes burn to the ground here in the last seven years from direct lightening strikes because this IS the lightening capital of the country.. We have had a direct hit from a tornado that completely wiped out Mallory Country Club and several homes and killed several people in nearby Lady Lake. We have had 13 people die in the last four years from golf cart accidents. We haven't got the best medical facilties here for every condition. You can buy homes bigger and cheaper outside of The Villages. THEY ARE BOUND by law to disclose sinkhole activity on any property but they don't have to tell you that there are sinkholes here in The Villages.


Most of us are worried and scared to some degree too. I think that the sinkhole near Tampa last year that swallowed a man in his bed while he slept and his body was never recovered is still in our vivid memory.


But as for living here in The Villages, as someone else so succinctly posted. It is a choice. You can pass or you can play.

[senior citizen]

Well , I was a potential buyer with thoughts of purchasing this summer after my 3rd visit but I am now starting to rethink-- a lot more Q and A needed regarding Homeowners -Catostropic ( ect) Ins and what types are avail and not avail now to new homeowners ect .ect . ect. Anybody way in here??

DITTO HERE.

We've resumed doing our research prior to listing our home here.
Nothing is green yet anyway......so perhaps end of May, or by Memorial Day we will be ready to call in a realtor. Just had the landscapers do a total spring cleanup on the property. Finally NO SNOW.

Now all this about sinkholes.

I do not find any sinkholes on the east coast (Atlantic Ocean beachside) but still doing research on that area...........obviously, hurricanes.

There is always Viera by the Duda Family and also Suntree on the mainland. Both planned communities for all ages and some sections for the 55+ active crowd. We actually love children, even those not our own.....so it wouldn't be a problem.


However, the hurricanes haven't been that prevalent , except for the one that hit Barefoot Bay and Vero Beach several years ago..........but nothing like the damage Andrew did down in the Miami area twenty plus years ago...........mostly power out for a month or so. Our carpenter's mom lived in Barefoot Bay and had to fly north to stay with him.........couldn't survive in Florida without air conditioning/electricity. All of her food rotted. Mold formed all over while she was gone.

Wise to do the research or repent at leisure. Definitely lots to ponder.

The proximity to the ocean beaches is approximately 13 minutes to 17 minutes from Suntree or Viera going across the Pineda Causeway.......then down all the barrier island to whichever beachside community one wishes to visit.

I purchased a slew of these Destination Discovery "fun" maps of the area and the children, grandchildren, cousins and their little ones are excited..........lots of fishing as well for hubby........if not the mainland, also looking beachside where it is a buyer's market right now..........with plenty of activities for all ages, great restaurants, and just nice environment...........who can complain about seeing the sun rise over the ocean in the a.m. and then set over the Indian River Lagoon (intracoastal waterway) in the evening.........long walks on the beach for everyone, of all ages.
We are proud of our adult children and grandchildren. Plus all the little cousins and nieces and nephews who will visit us in our old age.

[elizabeth52]

Sink holes are anywhere you go. It's all a chance, just make sure you have the proper insurance is all I'd reccomend.


And therein lies the rub!

[elizabeth52]

I am not trying to mislead you, only calm you. We bought our first home here in 2006, I think that year there was a sinkhole in or under a major pond near the hospital and it drained out in a very short time. In my memory there has been a sinkhole , of significant size to know about, either reported in the Sun or here on this forum about once a year. There have been sinkholes that I recall at Sunset Point, St.James, and twice in the middle of streets. There have been smaller holes, quickly filled and not much talked about. I don't know what the definition of rare would be, but once or twice a year among 40,000 homes? Once or twice a year in a roughly 100 square mile area?


People who sell houses aren't going to sit down and say, Hey, you might want to know that we have had eight homes burn to the ground here in the last seven years from direct lightening strikes because this IS the lightening capital of the country.. We have had a direct hit from a tornado that completely wiped out Mallory Country Club and several homes and killed several people in nearby Lady Lake. We have had 13 people die in the last four years from golf cart accidents. We haven't got the best medical facilties here for every condition. You can buy homes bigger and cheaper outside of The Villages. THEY ARE BOUND by law to disclose sinkhole activity on any property but they don't have to tell you that there are sinkholes here in The Villages.


Most of us are worried and scared to some degree too. I think that the sinkhole near Tampa last year that swallowed a man in his bed while he slept and his body was never recovered is still in our vivid memory.


But as for living here in The Villages, as someone else so succinctly posted. It is a choice. You can pass or you can play.

Thank you for attempting to allay my fears, Gracie. And, at this point, this isn't even about buying in the Villages. That is a no brainer! It is really a question of being able to obtain insurance to protect my investment.

[billethkid]

the so called sink hole concern should rate no higher than TV being located in "the lightning capital of the world" or Californians waiting "for the big one".

And the population of FL and CA is what?

Sinkholes are something to be aware of but are not deal breakers for a location c'mon down.

[tucson]

[QUOTE=elizabeth52;868284]I really respect everyone on this forum. And it has been my dream to live here. But I do not understand why everyone keeps saying that sinkholes are rare in the Villages. Maybe these catastrophic types are rare, I agree, but are you saying that sinkhole activity has not affected many homes in the Villages, just like in other parts of Florida? Even the Villages sales rep admits to this lesser form of activity. To say that this is rare is misleading.[/QUOTE


I find it AMAZING that people ALSO said that the F3 tornado that went through The Villages and caused major damage to hundreds of houses in 2007 was ALSO a RARE event! Not true... we are in "tornado alley" in this region of Fla. Talk to any native to this area, that is how you'll find out the real truth. This also relates to sink holes. Just do your own research and educate yourself through doing searches via Google on the geology of sinkholes in Central Fl. Good luck!

[elizabeth52]

the so called sink hole concern should rate no higher than TV being located in "the lightning capital of the world" or Californians waiting "for the big one".

And the population of FL and CA is what?

Sinkholes are something to be aware of but are not deal breakers for a location c'mon down.

I guess the heart of the issue comes down to being able to get secondary sinkhole insurance. I REALLY REALLY want to live in the Villages. I wonder if others take the risk of not having secondary sinkhole insurance? If available, I would get it, but if not available ?????

[perrjojo]

State Farm has sink hole insurance. They started writing HO policies again in Florida about 2 months ago. It is not just catastrophic risk and not a 10% deductible. You must have an inspection which cost $60 . Our agent said it was rare for anyone to be turned down.

[e-flyer]

The newspaper today said the chance of a catastrophic sinkhole collapses is 1 in 100 in any given year. Maybe that's a misprint because that would be 1% or 550 homes out of 55,000 currently built here in TV.

[elizabeth52]

State Farm has sink hole insurance. They started writing HO policies again in Florida about 2 months ago. It is not just catastrophic risk and not a 10% deductible. You must have an inspection which cost $60 . Our agent said it was rare for anyone to be turned down.

New construction? And did you use an agent within the Villages? The reason I ask is that I just called the State Farm agent listed in the Villages. That office is currently closed, so they transferred me to the general State Farm number. They said they are currently not offering it. I will check again on Monday, but to check with the Villages agent as they may have additional resources.

[slipcovers]

State Farm has sink hole insurance. They started writing HO policies again in Florida about 2 months ago. It is not just catastrophic risk and not a 10% deductible. You must have an inspection which cost $60 . Our agent said it was rare for anyone to be turned down.

I would not trust State Farm. They certainly have a bad reputation for paying claims. Take your money and bye bye.

[perrjojo]

I would not trust State Farm. They certainly have a bad reputation for paying claims. Take your money and bye bye.
We have had all of our insurance thru State Farm for over 50 years. We have NEVER had a problem with a claim. Their reputation is gold with me.

[elizabeth52]

I have state farm up here in NY and like them also

[slipcovers]

Look what happen after Katrina and other disasters in Florida. Their ratings are low.

[perrjojo]

New construction? And did you use an agent within the Villages? The reason I ask is that I just called the State Farm agent listed in the Villages. That office is currently closed, so they transferred me to the general State Farm number. They said they are currently not offering it. I will check again on Monday, but to check with the Villages agent as they may have additional resources.
Connie Wise Duff agency in TV at 352-259-0900..Julie is our agent. We have always had State Farm until moving here two years ago and had to go with another company. We just switched back yesterday. They are insuring new and existing. You must have and inspection which cost $60. Their rates are higher than our previous company.

[slipcovers]

Connie Wise Duff agency in TV at 352-259-0900..Julie is our agent. We have always had State Farm until moving here two years ago and had to go with another company. We just switched back yesterday. They are insuring new and existing. You must have and inspection which cost $60. Their rates are higher than our previous company.

Are you saying that there is an inspection for sinkholes? I don't believe anyone can predict sinkholes.

[dbussone]

They will no doubt sell quickly to some unsuspecting out of staters who are totally unaware and in the dark about sinkholes in Florida.

Good folks who have never done their research prior to buying.........


The sellers and their realtor MUST disclose the sink hole issue even if completely and successfully repaired.

[perrjojo]

Are you saying that there is an inspection for sinkholes? I don't believe anyone can predict sinkholes.
They only inspect to be certain here is no sinkhole. There is actually a test to predict and it cost $10,000.

[elizabeth52]

Connie Wise Duff agency in TV at 352-259-0900..Julie is our agent. We have always had State Farm until moving here two years ago and had to go with another company. We just switched back yesterday. They are insuring new and existing. You must have and inspection which cost $60. Their rates are higher than our previous company.

Thank you. I will check. I appreciate the information.

[T-325]

Poke around this map for sink hole claims

Closed claims with confirmed sinkhole activity (http://batchgeo.com/map/d1f4a605447bc061854da2e96ed93baa)

[gmracket]

Sinkholes can happen anywhere and they do...perhaps they're more prevalent in Florida and it's just not in The Villages that there have been sinkholes. Several areas in Florida have had several large sink holes in the last several years. Last year in Tampa the ground opened up and swallowed a house including a man in it. He was never found. It's no different then hurricanes or tornadoes. They happen. We used to have sink hole coverage until this year and now it's the catastrophic. I guess they have had too many in Florida like hurricanes. If you do try to get sink hole insurance, you need an inspection first which cost roughly $140.00 non refundable and most of the time your rejected so why bother. You take a chance and hope you stay above ground.

[graciegirl]

...

[Vernster]

If you purchase near Tampa the concentration is greater. We are also the lightning capital of the United States here in Central Florida. All of the homes now built and those that will be built will be sold and we will live happily ever after.


There are AWFUL tornadoes in Oklahoma. Risk of the big one in California, and the chances of something awful happening to you here would be more like a golf cart accident. 13 people have been killed in golf cart accidents in the last four years. But no one from a sinkhole and no home has been condemned. All have been repaired. Eight homes have burnt to the ground in the last seven years in The Villages from lightning strikes.


You can play, or you can pass.

Excellent. I agree

[Vernster]

Sinkhole insurance is not usually offered on preowned

It was offered on our pre-owned home in Mira Mesa through ASI Insurance. We obtained it at the time and are now grandfathered in. I believe it can still be obtained but with a large deductible.

[elizabeth52]

Poke around this map for sink hole claims

Closed claims with confirmed sinkhole activity (http://batchgeo.com/map/d1f4a605447bc061854da2e96ed93baa)

This is very interesting. Especially when you expand it out to see the specific areas. What is the source of this map?

[FoPAA]

Senior Citizen, have you ever googled "Sinkholes in Vermont?"

FYI:
25 Feet Deep Sinkhole Opens Up In Vermont - YouTube
► 1:51► 1:51
GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: 25 Feet Deep Sinkhole Opens Up In Vermont - Swallows Up Two Cars! - YouTube
Apr 26, 2013

PHOTOS: Sinkhole opens up on I-89 in Milton | WPTZ Home - Vermont
PHOTOS: Sinkhole opens up on I-89 in Milton | WPTZ Home - Vermont (http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/...sinkhole-opens.../23939048)
by Vanessa Misciagna
Jan 15, 2014 - A sinkhole on the southbound side of Interstate 89 in Milton has forced road crews to close the travel and breakdown lanes.



GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: More Sinkholes Keep Popping Up In ...
thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/.../geological-upheaval-more-sinkhol...
Apr 26, 2013 - A Vermont family are lucky to be alive after a massive sinkhole opened up in the middle of a mountain road during a rainstorm, swallowing their ...

Sinkhole reopens on Burlington's Battery Street - WCAX.COM Local ...
www.wcax.com/story/.../sinkhole-reopens-on-burlingtons-battery-street
Jul 2, 2013 - BURLINGTON, Vt. -. It started small and got bigger and bigger. The sinkhole that snarled traffic on Burlington's busy Battery Street reopened ...

Pages and pages...

[senior citizen]

Senior Citizen, have you ever googled "Sinkholes in Vermont?"

FYI:
25 Feet Deep Sinkhole Opens Up In Vermont - YouTube
► 1:51► 1:51
GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: 25 Feet Deep Sinkhole Opens Up In Vermont - Swallows Up Two Cars! - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pezLDIz4unc)
Apr 26, 2013

PHOTOS: Sinkhole opens up on I-89 in Milton | WPTZ Home - Vermont
PHOTOS: Sinkhole opens up on I-89 in Milton | WPTZ Home - Vermont (http://www.wptz.com/news/vermont-new-york/...sinkhole-opens.../23939048)
by Vanessa Misciagna
Jan 15, 2014 - A sinkhole on the southbound side of Interstate 89 in Milton has forced road crews to close the travel and breakdown lanes.



GEOLOGICAL UPHEAVAL: More Sinkholes Keep Popping Up In ...
thecelestialconvergence.blogspot.com/.../geological-upheaval-more-sinkhol...
Apr 26, 2013 - A Vermont family are lucky to be alive after a massive sinkhole opened up in the middle of a mountain road during a rainstorm, swallowing their ...

Sinkhole reopens on Burlington's Battery Street - WCAX.COM Local ...
www.wcax.com/story/.../sinkhole-reopens-on-burlingtons-battery-street (http://www.wcax.com/story/.../sinkhole-reopens-on-burlingtons-battery-street)
Jul 2, 2013 - BURLINGTON, Vt. -. It started small and got bigger and bigger. The sinkhole that snarled traffic on Burlington's busy Battery Street reopened ...

Pages and pages...


Here's another one. We used to call these "pot holes".

Sinkhole filled on Route 15 in Underhill, Vermont

http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/story/d/story/sinkhole-affecting-traffic-on-route-15-in-underhil/21952/5sb1miyf3U2IzIcHRXp72w (http://www.mychamplainvalley.com/story/d/story/sinkhole-affecting-traffic-on-route-15-in-underhil/21952/5sb1miyf3U2IzIcHRXp72w)

Potholes usually develop towards the end of a harsh/cold/snowy winter (not under homes)..........

Major cities up north also have potholes galore on their roads at the end of winter. Not just Vermont. The worst that could happen would be damage to one's vehicle....and a great expense....and hopefully not personal injury to driver/passenger.

When we lived in New Jersey, all of the major roads exiting the city had potholes......heavy traffic areas.

In Vermont, I would guess it is more due to the weather. After Hurricane Irene, the roads up the center of our state were really destroyed (all because of the torrential rains undermining the pavement). Big chunks of roadway wiped out. But I believe that is different than what's under the ground in Florida.

BELOW..........THE LAST PARAGRAPH SAYS IT ALL..........

From the WISE GEEK:

""Sometime around early spring, many roads develop deep divots and pockmarks called potholes, and certain cities are even said to have two seasons: winter and pothole repair. The reasons behind this road damage involves both nature and the limitations of road construction.

Most roadways are built in layers, starting with compacted earth and gravel for drainage. Some older city streets may even have a subsurface of bricks. All of these layers are covered with asphalt, which is a gooey blend of , oil byproducts, curatives and aggregate gravel. In an ideal setting, this layer of asphalt repels rainfall and snow, forcing it into bitumin, drains or the shoulder of the road.

Potholes form because asphalt road surfaces eventually crack under the heat of the day and the constant stresses of traffic. These cracks allow snow and rainwater to seep into the underlying dirt and gravel. During cold nights, the water freezes and expands, pushing out some of the dirt and gravel, leaving a hole when the water eventually melts. Drivers continue to drive over these unseen holes, putting even more stress on the thin asphalt layer covering them.""


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The area where the "pot hole / sink hole" occurred is in the northern part of our state which has our one big city, Burlington, on Lake Champlain.......home to the University of Vermont and many colleges, corporations.........more heavily populated area.
But, winter is winter all over the state..........my husband comes home every day from an errand complaining about the pot holes.

Another good one besides "pot hole season" is "mud season".......last year, our daughter in the north eastern side of our state which is quite rural.......had FOUR MUD SEASONS........thaw, freeze and then thaw again and again........that's Vermont.

[T-325]

This is very interesting. Especially when you expand it out to see the specific areas. What is the source of this map?

Here is a link to the newspaper article..which had a chart and link

Fraudulent sinkhole claims? Maps show claims near reported sinkhole-activity - Sun Sentinel (http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2011-03-25/news/sfl-sinkholes-fraud-maps-link-032511_1_sinkhole-activity-florida-sinkhole-research-institute-florida-geological-survey)

[Matzy]

What are you afraid of? Sinkholes? How many people lost their life or got insured because of sinkholes?
Compare to that, how many people lost their life or got insured because of traffic accidents? Did people stop driving? I can continue, asking about danger in case of weather, living in an area where crime is ruling the daily life.......... All things can happen everywhere.
It is always a question about relativity. Live your life, always be careful and see the life as a wonderful gift, that's the way.