Case Study: The Unpermitted Addition on 20th Ave N in St Petersburg.

Project Snapshot: Deal Stats

The Challenge: A Lifelong Home Plagued by City Violations

When we first spoke with Mrs. Eleanor Vance, she was under immense stress. Her beautiful 1958 block home near Crescent Heights, where she had lived for over 60 years, had recently become a source of anxiety, not comfort. The City of St Petersburg Code Enforcement office had sent her a series of escalating letters, citing numerous violations.

The primary issue was an unpermitted patio enclosure that had been converted into a bedroom decades ago. What started as a simple DIY project had, over time, deteriorated, leading to exposed, hazardous wiring and a sagging roofline. Beyond this, inspectors also flagged original cast iron pipes that were visibly leaking in the crawl space and an outdated electrical panel that was a fire hazard.

Mrs. Vance, in her late 80s, simply didn't have the energy, the funds, or the desire to tackle such extensive repairs. Every phone call from Code Enforcement was a source of dread. Realtors she spoke with insisted she needed to spend tens of thousands of dollars and months on permits and renovations just to list the house, a prospect that felt impossible.

She needed to sell the house 'as-is,' quickly, and without the burden of repairs or accumulating city fines. The property at 20th Ave N, once a cherished family hub in St Petersburg, had become an overwhelming liability.

The Solution: Transparency, Speed, and Taking on the Risk

Our approach for Mrs. Vance was rooted in directness and transparency. Unlike traditional realtors, we didn't ask her to lift a finger or spend a dime on repairs. Our team visited the St Petersburg property promptly, assessing the full scope of the code violations, electrical issues, and plumbing problems.

We understood the complexities of dealing with the City of St Petersburg's permitting process for unpermitted structures. We calculated our rehabilitation costs, which included:

• Permit Remediation: Engineering and architectural plans to bring the unpermitted addition up to current St Petersburg building codes.
• Full Electrical Upgrade: Replacing the entire electrical system, including a new panel, wiring, and fixtures.
• Plumbing Replacement: Rerouting and replacing all cast iron pipes with modern PVC.
• Roof Repairs: Addressing the structural integrity issues and partial roof replacement.

Based on our detailed assessment, we presented Mrs. Vance with a fair, no-obligation cash offer. This offer accounted for the significant rehab expenses, allowing her to sell the house completely 'as-is,' avoiding any further fines or repair headaches. We also took the proactive step of contacting the City of St Petersburg Code Enforcement on her behalf to inform them of the impending sale, helping to temporarily pause the accrual of fines.

Our commitment was to remove the burden entirely and provide a clear, swift path to closing.

The Result: A Stress-Free Sale and a Fresh Start

Just 21 days after Mrs. Vance accepted our offer, we closed the deal at Lighthouse Title in St Petersburg. There were no last-minute demands for repairs, no surprises, and no real estate commissions to pay. Mrs. Vance received her funds as promised, allowing her to confidently move closer to her daughter in another part of Florida, free from the worries of her old home.

She shared this feedback with us after closing:

"Max and the FL Home Buyers team were a godsend. I thought I was stuck with that house forever, drowning in code violation letters. They understood my situation immediately, offered a fair price, and handled everything, closing so fast. It was truly a stress-free process."

- Eleanor Vance, Former Homeowner, St Petersburg

This St Petersburg property, once a source of deep frustration, is now slated for a comprehensive renovation. Once complete, it will be a beautifully updated home, ready for a new family in the vibrant Crescent Heights neighborhood.