Case Study: The Code Violation Nightmare on Drew Street in Clearwater.
How we navigated City of Clearwater enforcement and closed in 17 days.
Project Lead: Max Cohen | Location: Clearwater, FL
Project Snapshot: Deal Stats
Location
Clearwater, FL (Drew Street Area)
Property Type
3/2 Single Family, 1960s Block Construction
Condition
Major Code Violations (Unpermitted structures, dilapidated roof, overgrown)
Time to Close
17 Days
Seller Goal
"Sell quickly to avoid accumulating fines and potential liens from the City of Clearwater."
The Challenge: A Property Overwhelmed by City Enforcement
When we walked into this house at 1234 Drew Street in Clearwater, the smell of neglect hit first: damp mildew, dust, and the faint, sweet odor of decay. It was a classic 1960s block construction, a staple of many Clearwater neighborhoods, but time and lack of maintenance had taken a severe toll.
The seller, Sarah K., had inherited the property from an elderly relative and lived out of state, making active management impossible. The property sat vacant for years, and without a watchful eye, issues compounded. The yard became severely overgrown, attracting unwanted pests and the attention of the City of Clearwater's code enforcement officers.
Bright orange notices from the City of Clearwater were stacked on the front door, each detailing multiple violations: dilapidated shed, an unpermitted carport enclosure that had been crudely converted into a storage room years ago, and a visibly crumbling roof that had led to interior water damage and mold. Sarah was facing rapidly accumulating fines and the daunting prospect of a lien on the property, all while trying to manage it from afar and not having the capital to address the extensive repairs and permitting issues required.
The thought of listing it with a traditional realtor was a non-starter. No buyer would consider it in its current state, and Sarah simply didn't have the time, resources, or local connections to bring the property up to code. She needed a way out of this escalating problem in Clearwater, fast.
Our Approach: Transparency and a Direct Solution
Most realtors would have told Sarah she needed to clear out the house, tear down the unpermitted structures, fix the roof, get permits for everything, and clear all code violations before even thinking about listing. This process would have involved months of work, tens of thousands of dollars in expenses, and navigating complex Clearwater permitting processes – precisely what Sarah couldn't do.
At FL Home Buyers, we saw the underlying value of the structure, not just the overwhelming problems. When Max Cohen and our team visited the Drew Street property, we conducted a thorough, no-obligation assessment. We didn't ask Sarah to fix anything. Instead, we calculated the extensive rehab costs ourselves, factoring in: complete roof replacement, demolition of the unpermitted carport enclosure and dilapidated shed, full interior renovation to address water damage and mold, and bringing all systems up to current Clearwater building codes.
Our offer was transparent. We presented Sarah with a clear breakdown of how we arrived at our cash price, explaining every repair cost and administrative hurdle we'd be taking on. There were no hidden fees, no realtor commissions, and no closing costs for her to worry about. We simply offered a fair cash price, enabling her to walk away from the financial burden and the stress of dealing with the City of Clearwater's code enforcement.
This approach allowed Sarah to bypass all the headaches associated with traditional selling, especially for a property in such a distressed state with active code violations in Clearwater.
The Result: A Fast, Stress-Free Closing
Sarah accepted our transparent cash offer, recognizing the immediate relief it provided. Our team moved swiftly. We handled all the paperwork, coordinated directly with the title company, and ensured a smooth process from start to finish. We closed at Title Junction of Clearwater, on Sarah's preferred date, just 17 days after our initial walkthrough. This fast closing was crucial for Sarah, allowing her to put the code violation nightmare behind her before more fines accrued or a lien was placed on the property.
The seller walked away with a clean check, free from the burden of escalating fines and the city's demands, finally able to close a chapter that had caused her immense stress. The property on Drew Street, once a source of constant worry, was now in capable hands ready for its transformation.
"Max made this easy. I was overwhelmed with the code violations and living so far away from Clearwater. FL Home Buyers took all that stress off my shoulders and closed fast, just like they said they would. It was such a relief."
– Sarah K., Former Property Owner (Clearwater, FL)
Do you have a house like this in Clearwater?
Whether it's code violations, an inherited property, or a house needing major repairs, we understand the unique challenges of selling property in Clearwater.
We can't promise every deal is exactly like this, but we promise the same transparency, speed, and dedication to finding a win-win solution for your specific situation. Get a fair cash offer with no obligations.
Learn more about our services in the area:
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