Can anyone help this woman?
 

I read this story and it’s been bothering me all day. Her husband was military till he died and she needs help to bring her house up to standards. She seems like a great candidate for a Go Fund me page but I have no experience with that. Do you? Any ideas? There but for the Grace of God...Merry Christmas?



A Villager is claiming her loss of supplemental income is making upkeep at her home too expensive for her to afford.

The home of Ingrid Rickard at 16558 SE 77th Northridge Court in the Village of Calumet Grove was the subject of a public hearing Friday before the Community Development District 4 Board of Supervisors.

A complaint about missing lanai screens and weeds was lodged against her property Oct. 13 with Community Standards. The violation was verified the following day.

Rickard’s husband, a retired Air Force colonel, died in 2012. They moved to The Villages in 2003. The house in Calumet Grove was built in 2004 and they were its first and only occupants.

In the years since her husband’s death, Rickard has fallen on hard times.

She said her supplemental income from retirement has been depleted

“I have no other way of making any money,” the 76-year-old told the CDD 4 board.

She had to trim back on her landscaping budget to save money and friends from her church have been helping her pull weeds.

On Tuesday, she signed an agreement with a contractor who can replace the screens in her lanai. But the contractor is “backed up” and can’t get to her job for 12 to 14 weeks.

Rickard said she understood she could be fined if the work isn’t performed in a timely manner.

“I had to borrow money to have the screens replaced. I cannot afford a daily fine,” she said.

Supervisor Don Deakin urged Rickard to get other competitive bids and potentially use them to spur her chosen contractor to move up the job on his priority list.

CDD 4 Board Chairman Jim Murphy reminded Rickard that she has a responsibility to “keep up the property.”

By a unanimous vote of the board, she was given 45 days to bring the property into compliance. If she fails to do so, she will face an initial $150 fine followed by $50 daily fines.

Where are her neighbors ?

According to Zillow, the house is worth $554K. The obvious possible solutions are to either get a mortgage on the house and use the cash to pay bills, or to sell the house and buy a less expensive house or get a rental. The missing information is what is her equity in the house?

Family?

I think Zillow is way off (too high) with that estimate. We sold our previous home in Calumet Grove last March and Zillow says it is worth $90k more than we sold it for. It is not.

Zillow says they paid $381,500 in 2004. (That seems high to me but I could be wrong.) In any case, I would guess her home might be worth in the mid- to high-400's, depending on condition. If it hasn't been updated at all (which is likely, if her husband passed away 8 years ago) it could be worth less. She might have some equity in the house but not what it might seem like if you go by Zillow.

I agree that she should probably sell it and buy something much smaller. One person doesn't need 2200+ sq. ft. She may not have anyone nearby (adult kids or grandkids) to help her with packing up/moving out of a home where she has lived for 16 years and listing it for sale. Or she may be reluctant to leave the home where she and her husband lived together.

It would be great if a neighbor or two would try and help her. I don't know what we, as strangers, can do but I would be willing to contribute to a GoFundMe if one were set up.

kathy

I’m a very soft touch for charities but this lady has a very nice pension coming in and who knows how much is in the house . I give to some go find me people but they usually have nothing because of some disaster or medical, even if there’s not much in the house she can find many inexpensive nice places to live on that pension and one poster is right where are her neighbors

You may be right, but her husband’s pension may have ended at his death. Not enough info.

The birdcage for sure is pretty disgusting.

To clarify, the house is on a cul de sac, with a nice golf course view, and a large swimming pool. It is valued at $100K to $250K above every other house on the street. I don't think it would be difficult to sell even if it is not upgraded.

There's no reason why she should even still be living in that house, other than sentimental stubbornness. She could sell it for $350,000, far below whatever Zillow claims it's worth, "as is," buy a smaller home in the Spanish Springs area for around $200,000. With the profits she can afford to hire a professional mover, pay the amenity fees, and hire a lawn and pesticide guy for the next 5 years. She'd have plenty left over for taxes and to supplement whatever her Social Security income is.

She needs to sell and move to something she can afford to maintain.

According to Marion County Tax Assessor $381,500 is correct. After 16 years it should easily be worth $450-$500K. Taxes are $5700 which in itself must be tough for her. It's sad to see someone in that state of mind due to finances but family if any or downsize or senior living unit would be her best bets. It's described as a VILLAGES GOLF DESIGNER HOME 2230 Sq feet.

I looked it up too. She paid $283,000 in 2003. I agree with you. I would clean up what I could and sell it and get out from under the amenity fees and live smaller and cheaper somewhere close. I for one would do that far before I would allow a go fund me.

Husband died in 2012. If in fact it took 8 years to identify an upcoming problem with finances, then there is something else going on here. I am sympathetic to anyone falling on hard times, but I am more concerned about taking advantage of the gullibility of giving people.
With the information provided, something smells.

Sound like a reverse mortgage is what would really help her. She would be able to have funds in a line of credit where she could draw monthly income.
This is exactly why reverse mortgages help some.

That would be rare most retired military passes to spouse

Mortage: No - Reverse Mortgage: Yes
 

If there is enough equity in the house, it sounds like a reverse mortgage would be a very good option.

Interesting that the first thought is to throw money at the problem (via GoFundMe). Reminds me of our government. A little research indicates that throwing money is NOT the answer. The answer is a tough love discussion about viable options. There are some great responses here.

How do I get ahold of her to help?
 

thisim story and it’s been bothering me all day. Her husband was military till he died and she needs help to bring her house up to standards. She seems like a great candidate for a Go Fund me page but I have no experience with that. Do you? Any ideas? There but for the Grace of God...Merry Christmas? I’m not a contractor but I am able to do some things and would be happy to help from free



A Villager is claiming her loss of supplemental income is making upkeep at her home too expensive for her to afford.

The home of Ingrid Rickard at 16558 SE 77th Northridge Court in the Village of Calumet Grove was the subject of a public hearing Friday before the Community Development District 4 Board of Supervisors.

A complaint about missing lanai screens and weeds was lodged against her property Oct. 13 with Community Standards. The violation was verified the following day.

Rickard’s husband, a retired Air Force colonel, died in 2012. They moved to The Villages in 2003. The house in Calumet Grove was built in 2004 and they were its first and only occupants.

In the years since her husband’s death, Rickard has fallen on hard times.

She said her supplemental income from retirement has been depleted

“I have no other way of making any money,” the 76-year-old told the CDD 4 board.

She had to trim back on her landscaping budget to save money and friends from her church have been helping her pull weeds.

On Tuesday, she signed an agreement with a contractor who can replace the screens in her lanai. But the contractor is “backed up” and can’t get to her job for 12 to 14 weeks.

Rickard said she understood she could be fined if the work isn’t performed in a timely manner.

“I had to borrow money to have the screens replaced. I cannot afford a daily fine,” she said.

Supervisor Don Deakin urged Rickard to get other competitive bids and potentially use them to spur her chosen contractor to move up the job on his priority list.

CDD 4 Board Chairman Jim Murphy reminded Rickard that she has a responsibility to “keep up the property.”

By a unanimous vote of the board, she was given 45 days to bring the property into compliance. If she fails to do so, she will face an initial $150 fine followed by $50 daily fines.[/QUOTE]

It does not take eight years to figure out you cannot afford a house and sell it to move into a smaller place. Everybody's heart is in the right place but she will be right back here if a change is not made. Very sad.

A lot of advice, but no real help, welcome to Florida's friendliest hometown.

[QUOTE=Eg_cruz@comcast.net;1873146]Sound like a reverse mortgage is what would really help her. She would be able to have funds in a line of credit where she could draw monthly income.
This is exactly why reverse mortgages help some.

I think I read about this and now can't access "the other newspaper" via my google account. Anyhow, I think she has a reverse mortgage on it. It was yesterday or the day before that I saw an article.

I’m sure there’s more to the story. I volunteer at an organization that helps people but vets them first. We review the income and expenses and give recommendations and, if needed, send someone to help with repairs and budgeting. You can’t really jump to conclusions without all the facts. Once you know the facts you can move on from there. I’d be more than happy to visit this person and see what can be done. Many times people aren’t willing to accept help.

I don't think a reverse mortgage would be a good financial decision. This house is on a prime golf course lot with a swimming pool. If it went on the market, it would probably sell very quickly at a good price. As others have noted, the woman could buy a smaller house in the same area and be financially better off.

[QUOTE=Debfrommaine;1873170]There was a story 2 days ago, but it did not mention a reverse mortgage.

Shame on you if you suggested she sell her house. This is not merely her house but her home. Being military it probably is the only one she has known. Did you notice her name. She maybe from Europe and married military man. And military pensions are not automatic the military person has to signup for it at time if retirement for their spouse and there is a monthly premium to be paid that is not cheap.
The residents of the villages many have a great deal of money and it would be the right thing to do to set up a fund to help her Having her move will add to her already difficult situation. Emotional and financial as moves are not cheap.

That’s what I was thinking.

It would be rare, but it happens. The retired miltary person can opt out of the surviving spouse pension. But, they do need to get their spouse's signature approval. However, I have a relative who was a military spouse who signed the approval without even knowing what they signed. The retired military person gets a higher pension if they opt out of the surviving spouse pension.

Not to sound uncaring, but your remedies of a GoFund me, neighbors helping to fix up etc is a temporary fix for a log time problem, house & property maintenace. The issue is on going and her real solution lies in downgrading. I beleive with all the Covid issues and generally the aging population, more & more northerners are heading to the villages. Housing prices have been going up significantly.

Is anyone in touch with this woman? I would be happy to meet with her and potentially purchase the house and let her stay there and pay monthly rent. OR I would be willing to see what she is in need of and help her get workers scheduled and put up funds to get the work done. How do I get in touch with her? Kim Quintana 978-476-1342

Help doesn’t necessarily mean throwing money at a problem. Sometimes the best help is advice. This may be the case here. If you take the time to read each post it becomes clear what the answer is.

She gets 55% of his military retirement - a minimum of $43,000 ($23,600)
Plus Social Security- $35,000.
She needs someone to assist with ensuring she receives her entitlements.

It's time for people to step up and help her.... it's what true neighbors are for, right?

What is the name of this organization?

What is the name of this organization?

God bless you, Kim

There’s always more to the story. I know someone who has plenty of money but they lack the mentality capacity to spend and make repairs. Family has tried for many years to help buy she doesn’t want any. She has the capacity to tell a judge she’s fine so legally theirs nothing wrong with her.

[QUOTE=Debfrommaine;1873170] Was able to get to see article, she does not have a reverse mortgage apparently. Very sad situation.

She gets her spouse's Social Security income, but she may not get a military pension. Her spouse could have opted out of the surviving spouse pension with her signature approval. Some spouses will sign this without even knowing what they are signing.

I fear this is a common situation ...... the obvious solution is for her to sell the house and move to a place she can afford. Even fixing this one up will leave her in the exact situation in short order.