Has there been a history of sinkholes in The Villages? Here is an article I found...pretty scary!

Sinkhole eats lake - more trouble in The Villages

Not scary if you read it carefully , all of it and read that it happened in 2002. And it was in a retention pond which is still there and very pretty too.

I am not trying to argue with you. I just am thinking about all of the nice people who worry who read this forum. Us grown up tend to worry anyway. Let's not make it worse than it is. It is troublesome, but it is rare. I am not trying to protect anything or anyone, I just know how I felt when I was up north and read something like this, with no way to personally assess it.

READ ALL OF IT. I am guessing that lake is the one that is in the center of St. James Circle near Glenview Country Club, but I don't know that for sure.

Poor carguy.

Just asking, I found this article that shows a major sinkhole in Leesburg, in 2011, which really is not that far away. Just trying to get a grasp on how common these are. Not use to seeing the earth open up overnight with such nasty results.

Leesburg, Florida. June 27th, 2011. | thesinkhole.org

I agree... It seems every time someone posts something like this, or say banning golf carts, everyone starts running around like chickens with their heads cut off!

Sink holes happen in Florida.

Central Florida Sinkhole Problem is Growing - Florida Local Information - a Welcome Center - Zimbio

If they bother you, stay in California where there are earthquakes and mudslides, or the mid west or south where the tornadoes are. Or maybe a state that shuts down due to snow storms. The gulf or east coast, near the water with its hurricanes. Every state has it's issues. For Central Florida, it's sinkholes... and alligators... and coyotes.... Oh... and dogs pooping in your yard.... and.... *sigh* :popcorn:

I love my little place in paradise and if a sinkhole takes my home, I will deal with it then.

Thanks for the link, it does answer my question that the sinkhole problem seems to be growing in Florida. I never really heard much about this before. You are so right, live each day, for we can never predict our futures.

I agree with you B-n-B. The house looks solid. Clearly that front porch is a floater and it has settled. It's no fun, but I don't see it as major damage. I think they knock it out, fill it in and pour new. It would be nice to have sinkhole coverage in this case, but even without it I think is an easy fix and back to enjoying life in The Villages.

Not sure, but I'm guessing this is the house. Have to do a drive-by.
1631 Lakewood Dr The Villages, FL - Google Maps

Know your insurance and what sinkhole coverage is. There is Catastrophic and sinkhole activity. Catastrophic is the house is in the hole and activity is the doors no longer close. That is more likely and we have had two cases recently in the Village of Caroline. Both were activity and involved the total value of the home. Important that you understand your coverage.

Yep, pretty close. Google maps indicates about 16 miles from The Villages to Crosby Street in Leesburg.
Don't worry.....be happy.

And now the proof is in a Pic!
 

And I remember all the Flak I recieved about being a worry wart over sinkholes with the last round of questions.

I sure feel good knowing that I have the insurance to cover our new home from major to minor.:popcorn::popcorn:

Yes, you were the smart one.

You can now relax. Enjoy that popcorn.

I would not have to worry about this or any other problem mother nature could throw at me...If you had a wife like I do you would have insurance on things you would probably never need....I still live up north and I bet you I have buffalo stampeeding through my house coverage....

...

Sinkholes are causing some of my friends to be sink at their stomach!
 

If there was sinkhole activity near your home it very well may not be reported here by the homeowner. However, it would seem that legally that you would have to make that disclosure on selling unless it happened in an easement nearby.

It is something that you can choose to protect yourself from by buying insurance or save the money so as to repair or replace the damage unless it would be the horrible scenario where the whole house collapsed into a hole and I don't think that has happened....or has it? I have only been here four years.

To the person who said there had been sinkhole activity in two places in the village of Caroline, which is pretty close to LSL, (for those not familiar to the area,) how bad was the damage, and was it repaired and how was it repaired? It helps to know this for those who worry. Also IF there is activity in your village, does it make sinkhole insurance go up or become unavailable? Does anyone know about the insurance issue?

When the ground is prepared for construction, huge pipes are placed underground and there is always some settling to the ground that has been disturbed during construction. Sand is a new element for many of us. Can an engineer tell us exactly how sinkholes are fixed?

And here are hugs for all who are worrying. Of course it is our life savings in this property. We need to seek more information about insurance protection and repair and rate of occurance.

I know that the vacant lots around us are regularly run on back and forth by huge trucks and large equipment here to do other stuff and I am guessing that may be done to compact the sand.

You been listening to Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye"? http://planetsmilies.net/not-tagged-smiley-13230.gif

Gracie, I can't answer all your questions, but would like to give some input. First, I don't know if it's the same in FL as it is in NY, but when we closed on our home up there a few months back, there was a place on the paperwork where we had to disclosure or indicate any problems. You didn't have to specify anything if you haven't had any problems, but you did if you had. We didn't have any sinkhole problems be we did have slight flooding last summer from storm drain backup, coming from river rising caused by a hurricane followed up the coast from Florida that passed through our area. The waters were from the run in the mountains where the hurricane made it's deposits. As a result we also had to have an engineer's elevation report done or the buyer wouldn't have bought the house. Your having closed on your house in Hadley, you might recall if you had to sign or initial any similar declarations like I've described.

I'm not an engineer and not an expert on fixing sinkholes, but I did see a site that showed how it's done a while back. I didn't book mark the site, but here's a web page that does describe two procedures: SINKHOLE REPAIR PROCESS

Here is also a good post on the subject of sinkhole insurance that was posted by 784caroline last summer: https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...328-post1.html

kidding me
 

I dont think that the Sun wants to give any press about sink holes. Bad for TV overall bussiness...My take is to have insurance for this .

Sink hole coverage
 

I called my insurance company in reference to sink hole coverage. If the house falls in the hole the answer is covered. Complete coverage requied a physical inspection and sink hole will be denied if there is a concrete crack anywhere. The agent told me to forget it a most homes will not pass. Who does not have a driveway crack. That will deny additional coverage.

Just another way for insurance companies to avoid coverage but appearing to 'offer' coverage. Most all concrete has cracks on the most solid of foundations. It's what concrete does, expand and contract with temperature changes. Large slabs have 'expansion joints' put in to control it. Some slabs are prepared in advance with saws that cut in grooves to try and make the crack appear at that point. This is everywhere, not just in TV.

What you said makes sense.

Insurance coverage
 

If I were you, I would check with another insurance company. The house-falls-in-the-hole scenario is covered by the mandatory "catastrophic-ground-collapse" provision. Sinkhole coverage is optional. I have it in my policy, and I am sure that a lot of Villagers have it too.

Of course, you could reasonably decide to run the sinkhole risk and not buy coverage. Here is the link to the Florida Department of Financial Services summary of the matter, which I previously posted. Sinkholes and Catastrophic Ground Collapse

Nope. But I'm a fast learner!

That's funny stuff. :1rotfl:

Thanks for the laugh on such a serious subject.

And I seem to recall that you have to pay for that inspection and that the $$$ could run you in the hundreds.

Since living in The Villages, my house has been hit by three hurricanes, my CYV neighborhood was decimated by a tornado, and my house was struck by lightning. Just waiting for that sinkhole to develop.

Inspection for sinkhole coverage
 

I never had to have an inspection to obtain or retain sinkhole coverage. I wonder if the inspection requirement depends on the insurance company and/or on the location of the property with The Villages.

The company that wrote our H.O. insurance policy required an independent 3rd party inspection before they'd add sink hole coverage to the policy. They made the arrangements for the inspection and split the cost with us. Cost us $75 out-of-pocket - seemed pretty cheap to me!!! And our home passed inspection.

Bill :)

Well the home may have passed but I am curious as to how deep he drilled to see if there could be a future problem????

Our insurance carrier gave us a quote for the sinkhole coverage no questions asked and no inspection.

I moved down in 2006 and all they said was "here's the price take it or leave it and don't ask us to change anything". "And by the way we want 20% up front". I told the agent that since prices had about doubled from 2004 that I had made a list of what would be included in a house I would purchase. If they could not find a house within my price range then look at other southern states. The bad news the housing values tanked about a year later The good news I sold my home within a week of putting it on the market and for my price.

Could you give me the name of your carrier? My insurance carrier cancelled my policy.

I was just wondering if TV allows multiple ownership of home for rent.

Spk, I'm not sure what they did for that inspection as I wasn't present. I do know that they needed to look around inside the house - I made arrangements with our homewatch person to be there to let the inspector in. Externally, I believe all they looked for was any obvious cracking in the observable foundation, sidewalk/driveway, etc. I think our insurance agent also mentioned that they check with whatever source for reports of previous sink hole occurrences in the surrounding area.

Wish I had more specifics for you - sorry!

Bill :)

Are you sure you have the Sinkhole coverage and not just the Catastrophic? I don't believe that the first ever requires an inspection since it's the lesser of the coverage. If you're not sure, check with your agent!

That's quite a collection of stories to tell. How many days have you lived here?

I think he/she needs to switch churches.

Oh dear.... do tell us where you live so we can stay clear.

Oh wait... I think I found your house when I was driving around tonight. :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...troyedHome.jpg

SPOTD Award
 

Catching up on posts while riding in The Village Airport Van on my way to paradise.

Drum roll please.....Swimdawg Post of the Day Award goes to GRACIE!

I, like many others here I am sure, mad a mad dash to my insurance policy to see how my coverage was worded.

My agent told me when I bought the policy I had sinkhole coverage. It does state on one line item under Premium Adjustments a charge of $25.00 for sinkhole loss coverage.

Someone reassure me before I call my agent that this is the accepted sinkhole coverage.

...OH YES.>>>>>The "simple sisters" in 2004. "Frances" and "Jeanne".
....Florida had...4 hurricanes in 6 weeks...... and ....
.............................The Villages only got "kissed" by 2 of them.

......Then their ugly cuzzin' "WILMA" stopped by in 2005.

AND then..02-Feb-2007...along came their "windy" Brudda-in Law "Tornado Tommy"
... I named it Tommy after MY Bro-in-Law ..he is "windy" in many ways.
He can toot-talk-burp-AND-walk...ALL at the same time.
That Dude is talented.

...sure am glad YOU were O.K. ...and ONLY had "stuff" damaged.

Mark, You better check with your agent. My sinkhole coverage is $245.61 per year. I own a designer, not sure what size home you are insuring.

Make sure you know how your policy defines a "sinkhole". Is is a sudden ground collapse (owners required to vacate property by a government authority) or is it gradual movement of the earth that simply causes foundation or wall cracking (most common form and typically called sinkhoile activity)......and if both are covered, what are the deductibles for each definition.

BTW you need both types of coverage!!