As a fellow REALTOR in Florida, I applaud your HONESTY and INTEGRITY! Too many salespeople are in it for the money only with NO conscious whatsoever. Scamming the elder;y, or unwary, should be a police matter....
You are a blessing. My mother in-law almost fell for the same con artists till i stepped in. Man were they mad ! When they went over her ac system they closed off vents and turned her hot water heater to the lowest setting. Then had her walk through with them showing low ac flow and low hot water temp. After they left she called me. I went over with the realtor and reset it all back to normal with video coverage. Stuff hit the fan!! Always have a inspector of quality and honesty before buying a home. Thank You so much for this video.
Wow ! Those scammers actually tampered with perfectly good machinery in order to try and scam your mother in law ? Horrible ! I hope they paid dearly. Thank you for being there to prevent this !
Before you buy in Florida, if you come from a totally different area, go down and rent somewhere for a year. Make sure its what you want. I lived a while in the Villages area, then over to St. Augustine area then back to the central part of the state near again The Villages. For some, maybe most, its fine or even great. For me, after renting for about a year and a half, I guess I just couldnt get use to the lay of the land, the flatness. Loved the ocean, for a while, and I've spent time on the gulf side and the Atlantic side. Now, I dont golf. And after a while, I decided I missed the hills and mountains in NW Arkansas. The change of seasons. But my point is, I'm glad I dipped my toes in the water so to speak before I bought. No state income tax, but oh boy the property taxes, the insurance if you live near a coastline. Just saying to sample the menu before you order.
I wouldn't buy a house in Florida again and imo and observation if the entire neighborhood is newer than 20 yo chances are good its sitting on former swampland thats been filled with quarry rock. Its only a matter of time before sinkholes and foundation cracks appear but each to their own..roll the dice.
Unfortunate as this may be, but it is all too common on every retirement community. The punishment should be doubled for this predatory practice by low life scum bags. Thanks for sharing this very important public service announcement. Every senior community needs to form a watch group for people to call and get advices on. A group of handy man / woman can serve in this group.
As a retired widow I found this to be wonderful! Maybe this poor lady never knew about how to take care of such things in a home before because her husband always took care of them... Thanks so much! I’m sharing this...👍
I Pray for more realtors like you. Decent, honest , kind & trying your best to help others , especially widows, as we are afraid & hesitant . TY for being who you are ! God Bless You !!!
My elderly mother and I have a deal: no big purchases (over $500) without talking about it with me first. I have been able to help her not just avoid scams, though that is certainly an issue, but just to get the best deal (not best price, necessarily) on things. It usually takes just a little bit of research and calling around, talking to others - something that my mother has no patience for. The way businesses take advantage of the elderly is a huge problem and happens all the time.
Okay I'm gonna pause the video and say this... Please listen, i work at a home improvement store there In the villages and some of the things my customers come in and tell me are outrageous!!! I try my best to tell them the truth so that they can save their money all the time!! Just because you have money (or live in a community known for money) doesn't mean you have to spend it!! Always get a second opinion before signing any contract
When you move to a very different area, the scumbags crawl out from under the rocks. You are giving your clients the service they need and you are a good neighbor. I lived on the Mexican border for awhile and saw the same things happening. Good work. I am not moving to your area but you give us Southerners the good name that most of us deserve.
Thank you Sir. My husband is a retired electrician and he has always been the one to install and repair and build on our home. If he passes on before me, all that knowledge will go with him. So I'm doubly grateful to you for showing me what could happen should I ever live alone.
Boomer1941 noname I’m 63, i was a Merchant Mariner 20 years and then a graveshift Cab driver in a Casino Town 20 years, I just look sweet and have already had to take a few down!! Lol!!
I hope the state was contacted for each of those suppliers that took advantage of that poor lady's ignorance of mechanical systems and whether they were needed and how much she was charged. Serious offenses in Florida, especially against the elderly...
Probably useless. Those sectors have their own business lobbys even in small low population states to get regulations that favour them. FL would have been top priority. There's all sorts of regulations to keep people from going off the grid for example.
The Villages management could be circumventing the scammer problems in their area with some simple rules...but they don't care about these people so they continue to be scammed along with other serious issues in the Villages. I wouldn't let my Mother consider moving here because of all their issues. 👎👎👎👎👎
@@argtv100 You should watch my latest video... I made it for people EXACTLY like you.... You don't know me nor have you ever worked with me so how can you make any such claims?
@@kidgreenhorn ....Sometimes it's the children or other close relatives who stand to gain freebies who are THE WORST. My ex husband was involved with a woman who conned her own sick and dying (of dementia) mother into signing a full power of attorney plus....change her will to give the daughter EVERYTHING, screwing over the other siblings completely. With offspring like that, who the hell needs enemies?
@Marjo .....OMG. POA doesn't give anyone the right to just steal. Of course, only you can decide whether it would be worth it to legally challenge your sister. I urge you to speak to your State's Atty, the AG's office, office for elder affairs or contact someone at AARP who could refer you to the proper agency acting as advocates for seniors' rights. What my ex's girlfriend and your sister did is not only immoral and unethical---it's downright criminal!
@Bonnie Holman ....Yes, she was and still is a conniving scumbag who played my ex and his one brother like a fiddle. That woman is a curse who causes emotional pain and financial loss for those close to her but they overlook it all and I will never understand why. Thankfully we had no children......really getting to know my ex and his family played a huge part in that decision.
I winter in Sebring, and after Irma moved through, several of my neighbors were scammed. One is a friend of mine, and a visit from the sheriff provided a full refund.
Having been a realtor years back I can see you are an honest professional realtor, kudos! I worked in a Vancouver, BC area realty office for 2 years with the most unethical realtors I have ever seen. Many contract closings with missing critical information for the buyer. Sickening. One bought a resort only to find out after purchase the municipality take a large section of his property for public road expansion. Realtor knew, but withheld this. Made lots of money from this transaction. Sickening. You are providing an excellent service bringing light to this garbage. Thank you.
It is great that you are looking out for people. You are a true member of your community. Your service to others is above and beyond . I have a home service company. For the last 30 years I have seen heartless actions by salesman.
I have seen this first hand in the villages. As an Hvac technician on vacation visiting my brother, he asked me to inspect his a/c unit that a local contractor told him was corroded beyond repair. It was in excellent condition and had plenty of years left. Seems to be a general lack of integrity taking advantage of unknowing trusting people.
@atterol jones - So the homeowner is to blame for living in a nice home in a nice community? He’s to blame for almost being conned by a scammer HVAC tech?
Some of these a-holes can get pretty aggressive and intimidate newcomers. My advice, DO NOT do business with solicitors, if you need something, only work with local businesses who have been in business more than 15 years and get recommendations.
A quick scam is the 300 dollar capacitor when they come out to service ac unit. the part is 15-25 bucks retail. I was told I needed one 11 years ago told the guy get out of my house. It's been fine for 11 years.
I had a some pap smear tell me I needed a new air conditioner. Said it would be about $7000. I did some research on TH-cam and thought I would just replace the capacitor and see. That's all it was. Cost me $30 and I put it in myself.
@@paulkoller8104 shame there are so many predators. it's bad in fl where they take advantage of seniors who retire to enjoy their golden years. it's theft plain and simple.
A Capacitor should cost no more than $3, the one you are talking about is an electrolytic and I have a few in my workshop. Pity Radio shack is no more.
Sorry, I have lived in Florida off and on for nearly 50 years, 35 of them as a homeowner, and these types of rip-offs are prevalent all over Florida but are usually targeted at folks seen as elderly snowbirds. This poor lady did not do her homework. If nothing else it doesn't sound like she bothered to get multiple estimates for work done. Again, sad story, but not confined to The Villages.
If you take advantage of a person of any age just because you can, then you are no better than the gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe. This story breaks my heart.
I don't know how old this lady nor do I know her circumstances. One thing is certain though, the older you get, the harder it gets to do your "homework".
When your ready to retire it best to rent. Anything goes wrong let the management of the complex deal with it. If things don't get fix, just move. Avoid buying a lot of stuff, less things to move.
@@tradingwithwill7214 just don't move to a large city that's booming, where large corporations are relocating to. Then rent prices will sky rocket along with it.
You performed a great service to your community by posting this. The world needs more people like you that are honest. Are you saying the HVAC contractor sold the lady the water heater as well? How old is the house? I would think an air handler would last about 10 years or so, mine lasted 7 or 8 before I had to swap out the coils, but the unit had a 10 year warranty so that was labor only.
Part of my duty as an estate management service technician. Is every homeowner and/or client is to give any non scheduled service or utilities representative my phone contact or info. That usually settles everything. Funny how they don't call me or harass my clients about any "imperative" issues after being informed of estate management hurdle. Even if you don't have an estate manager... Just act like you do!
Thank you for posting about scamers. I bought a property in 2012 at Del Webb Golf & Country Club and I got scammed a few times. I was not familiar with many appliances & devices since my main residence is in Canada. I learned the hard way. Last time I reported a scamer to the local chamber of commerce. I suggest to check with it before contracting with any vendor.
It's hard to believe that it's been over 6 years since Dena & I began watching your videos. It's been 2 years since you worked your magic so we could buy our home, and we appreciate you! News Flash folks - Ira Miller knows his craft and can help you secure the home of your dreams!
Im lucky cause i have no problem not answering the phone ever and when i sometimes do i answer who's calling and have no problem just cutting off the conversation ! People that scam are evil should be charged with elder abuse also
I usually answer with " Fraud department, how may I help you? I never say yes if someone asks me if I can hear them. I just keep saying no, I can't for my hearing aid!! Then i start yelling at them to call me back tomorrow 😂😂😂😂😂. I also speak to them in German or another language, or just gibberish!! I've also threatened to sue the hell out of them as I'm on the do not call list!! That usually works pretty well also. I keep my voice mail full, and don't answer the phone unless I recognize the number. That may not work for everyone especially if your doctor's office etc isn't on your contact list.
Those houses are all fairly new there. Why would she already need a whole new A/C system? Thanks Ira, exposure is the best prevention with these crooks.
Because builders only use the smallest AC unit per square foot the code allows. Often the units are 2 small and need to work harder to cool and heat and wear out sooner.
Good video. It's not only the villages. It's all of Florida. When I first moved to Florida my dad was here 6 months. I asked how are the people around here and he slyly chuckled "watch your back".
Thank you Ira for being so honest and genuinely concerned about people. I'm a younger widow, and although my husband taught me alot about many things, life turns upside down and it is very difficult to make these kinds of decisions without our husbands knowledge and support. I'm so sorry for this woman but thankful she has family to return back to. I appreciate your videos and have been researching the Villages as a possible future home. I find your videos to be very helpful.
Yes ! I am 62 & single . Empty nester & proud , blessed Gramma. I like to look at videos on the Villages , and other places in FLA ... gathering info for possible future move. I am the demographic these predators would go after. Thank you to this kind gentleman for warning us ! I am sorry for your loss ! Liz
Call the Elder Abuse Hotline and report these companies! They will go after these companies. These should be part of the Aging and Disability Resource Dept in most states.
thank you for protecting senior citizens most especially and all of your clients I wish i had one like you when i bought my house . Now i will seek someone like you when i buy my retirement home thank you . God will reward you richly .
This is so true! They pull this type of scam on EVERYBODY that does not have knowledge. I'm in property management in Tampa and we have gone through many AC contractors, Plumbers and others trying to find good, honest businesses to deal with. If you have questions, call someone in the real estate business you trust and ask them. we are more than happy to help!
I love getting these guys in my house and letting them talk. Then I rip them a new asshole. Or I sometimes ask questions that I know they can't answer. Sometimes I sign a contract and cancel the next day, just to break balls. I'm a retired HVAC Engineer. I pretty much know everything mechanical.
Try being a widow...they all think you're demented....my engineering degree makes fools of them all, and my accountant is a demon who hates this sort. My lawyers downright scary, Ladies and gentlemen, get the legal help you need...this mani s a great start.
If there were more people in the world like you Sir, the world would be a better place. You can lose everything but if you still have your integrity, you've got a lot and it will go a long way in life!
I do not know the age of the owner. I am just wondering why she did not consult with her children? Great advice from this realtor. I know as my parents aged I was thankful that my dad always consulted me on large purchases.
Most of these people are easy prey BECAUSE the will not trust their kids or their local people like their banker or even their doctor...but a Con man tell them what they want to hear...Many first hand experiences from people that I know and coworkers....of aging parents who hide their finances from them and give away whatever they have to the con man...sometimes substantial amounts ...but sadly often just all that they have... In one case that I am familiar with...one of my coworkers a middle aged man....got a call from the bank....the banker called him and the Sheriff...His Dad was down at the bank with a stranger and he was trying to close out his account and get his cash to give the guy....The banker was stalling....but the fact is it was Dad's money and he can do what ever he wants with it....The guy wasn't intimidated by the sheriff or the banker...Because he knew where he stood with the law....They eventually got a judge to give control of the remaining money to a guardian...but Dad never forgave his son..Quote...."You kids just want to get all of my money"!.... Frequently they are consumed with the need for secrecy....while at the very same time also compelled to to place absolute trust in a stranger...I know that my own Mother and Stepfather absolutely didn't want any of the kids to know any of their business while they were alive...and Yes they were exploited by Financial Advisors and Estate Planners...Falling prey to setting up trusts and placing no assets in them....making investment choices that only profited the advisor and so on... The point is that if you want to have free choice...It by definition has to allow the ability to make bad choices!....It is simply binary there is no other way...Either Mom & Dad...are adults who have the autonomy to make their own choices ....Or they don't and they need a keeper!...
I can’t even watch the whole video I can feel my blood pressure rising. Maybe the Villages needs a better POA, maybe they need a good neighborhood Facebook page. But you’ve done a wonderful thing. Thank you for being responsible.
I was at Home Depot and a lady in a booth asked me if I wanted a free home testing of my tap water. I agreed and next thing I know I have a high pressure salesman at my house trying to sell a Rain Soft water system for $5000.00. Never speak to sales reps .
My wife wanted to enter a contest for a trip but the only trip we took was to court where they were crooks and never pulled proper permit for the job. They mailed us a check for what they never did and we had another company do the job for half.
Ira, you might also want to add that there are special laws in place in Florida for taking advantage of the elderly. They apply to anyone 60 or older and include penalties which are in ADDITION to existing laws against consumer fraud. I am also an MLS Realtor in the area, but I'll refrain from saying which company! Nice video sir.
Great job. I used to live there and so it MANY TIMES, one water guy tried to sell me one for $8000, I laughed and showed him my filtration system I installed for $150 myself. LOL. Call it naive, or call it stupid--yes, that why they are predators because so many people just do not research things before they sign on the dotted line.
This is so common. I live in another country now so when my mother needed minor work done, she was badly scammed in California and sold items they claimed were essential for her new built-in stove. She was usually cautious but did not understand the technical jargon they used. The over only needed the easily replaceable heating element for the bottom. I had replaced on in her former house for $19 in parts. But they charged her $2300. Later she went in for her annual checkup at 74 years old, and her doctor was on vacation so she got a referral to another doctor who had to admit rights to the same hospital. She had some ailments but nothing that was not well controlled by medication. The doctor she did not know took a look at her record and saw she had a golden medical insurance program as a state of California employee most of her life. He told her she needed a heart operation immediately and there was no time to wait for her doctor to return from vacation or to contact me 9,000 miles away. She got a million-dollar heart operation, and both her doctor and I were shocked. A nurse in her doctor's office contacted me and said she wanted to apprise me of the situation. Her doctor came back to find his long-time patient was conned into a dangerous unneeded operation but could not say anything to me directly in case we wanted to make a formal complaint or lawsuit.. It was a difficult recovery but she did recover in about 6 months and twice had developed staph infections when visiting the hospital for checks. Those staph infections were very hard to knock down and since she refused to stay in the hospital the insurance would not cover home care so she paid for it. The antibiotic she needed for the hospital-induced infection was in liquid form and had to be injected 1 time a day for 1 days. But it was not available for home care unless using a pump that connected to the phone line and only after a check cleared for each day, for $782 was FexEx'ed to the company back east would turn on the pump to inject it. On the 4th day of that routine, I found out from my sister what as going on. She gave me the name of the antibiotic and I checked with a girlfriend who was a doctor and she said she knew of it but it was not imported to where I was living, in St Petersburg Russia. She put in touch the distributed in Germany where is the company located. I was able to get an import waiver for it in 2 hours with the help of the doctor to get an import license. I flew to Germany and bought the antibiotic that cost me $14 per dose!! I flew back the same night and was in California 18 hours later and she was able to finish the course of injections without the pump and $782 per day charges. We considered suing the surgeon but my mother had been through so much that we decided it would be too hard on her. So it is all salesmen and even doctors who prey on the elderly. Many communities I found out later, have elder care watchdog groups to try to shield the elderly from being scammed but they are from a generation that tended to believe authority figures or government so many never reveal they were scammed. The water heater she had is a Demand Heater which draws a lot of current to heat the water as it is flowing to the shower or kitchen, but only when the hot water tap is flowing.. They are very good for people who sometimes now around to use hot water, such as those who work all day and return in the evening, because it does not rise any power keeping the water in the tank hot. I used one that was the size of a shoebox for a shower in my barn when I had a ranch. It sold me on the concept. Later when I moved to Russia found all apartments have a gas version and new construction country homes that most city families have which they might not visit all winter. She would have been better served if she never talked to the company which sold her an unneeded water heater but she probably never knew what that box outside was.
Thank you for Good.people like you who have true compassion for others, especially for strangers. One aspect of Love is to share knowledge. Thank you for your honest and conscientious videos. All the best to you sir.
5/19/19.....I live near The Villages...in Lady Lake & used to be a real estate broker in Atlanta. So many not-too-smart agents + lots of money-scammers in/around The Villages....esp bad on widowed ladies with nobody to "guide" them once they come to this area....b/c lots of ppl just don't know how to look for/choose the property that's "right for them" @ this retirement stage in their life. i've seen your ads & been to some of your open houses. You have done a great job making this video. Next time I'm looking for a house, I'm hiring you! I KNOW your video will help a bunch of ppl!
Yes, older people...heck I am 71...but of a newer generation....grew up in a time when authority figures or government were trusted unless proven otherwise. It was a different world when they grew up and trust was the default position.
You're right, very much not specific to the villages or even Florida for that matter. My parents were talked into getting a new furnace when there current one was still working, only about 10 years old. But in the villages, the scammers have a much bigger barrel into which they are shooting.
HOA Horror Story #1. My wife and I discovered that our friends on the board of our HOA were not our friends at all when we had the exterior of our house repainted. We had the house painted gray with pink shutters, like you might find on a New England cottage. We got a lot of compliments from our neighbors. Then the notice came from our HOA. The gray was fine, but our pink shutters were too?pink. We had to drab them down, or face a battery of consequences, including accelerating fines, that the notice apprised us were the associations legal right to pursue. All color schemes that departed from the original that came with your house required pre-approval by the board. So much for freedom of choice. HOA Horror Story #2. One of my best friends (who moved into the same neighborhood after we moved out) got a notice from the HOA telling him he needed to put curtains on the second floor windows of his house. The reason: ?neighbors? (an HOA?s favorite subterfuge) complained that they could see the furniture in his bedroom windows. I still can?t make sense out of that one, but it was similar to the notice that we received for the offensive paint job on our shutters. HOA Horror Story #3. A mortgage client of mine received notice from his HOA that he and his wife needed to store their three-year-old daughter?s toys out of sight, rather than letting them sit in the backyard. I?m not sure exactly what the crime was here, but they were forced to comply. HOA Horror Story #4. A distraught friend of mine called me one day telling me that she had just received notice from her HOA informing her of a recently passed rule requiring all vehicles to be garaged between the hours of midnight and six a.m. No overnight parking of vehicles either in driveways or on streets would be permitted. Since all houses in the neighborhood had no more than a two car garage, this was a fundamental issue for anyone with kids who also have cars. I?m not sure what they were going for with this one either, but I thought that it would create a security risk, since the entire neighborhood would look abandoned overnight. She sold and moved out shortly after.
They all sound like reasonable rules to me. (and I hate HOA's, and would never live in one) I guess you enjoy living in sheetholes where a neighbor can put up a Puerto Ricand flag and drop property values overnight.
There rules are meant to maintain property values and quality of life. Everything you describe are eyesore issues. They should have read the CC&Rs provided during escrow and not bought there. They probably liked the orderly neighborhoods, then didn’t want to do their part to keep them that way.
Us older folks are frequent targets of the scammers. I get phone calls all the time about home repairs. If I were to move to The Villages and thought I needed a water softener, I'd talk with my neighbors. It's a good excuse to get to know them, and I'd find out if they had a softener, and if so, who installed/serviced it, and if they were happy with it. I have never hired any home service without a careful investigation of their reputation and their work.
I dont know how people can sleep at night scamming anybody especially the elderly. This is terrible, just terrible. I appreciate your honesty & integrity. I think this would be a great place to retire but, I haven't been down there to stay for a week. Still deciding. Thank you so very much for sharing & doing this video. Stay safe and God bless!
Bobby Jo Cowpoke A lot of the elderly today are usually women not ever having to do anything to hold jobs and their husbands did everything, so they are left on their own and do not know how to deal with these Scam Artists....
You Sir... Are 100% Correct...!!! I have been a technician for 40 Years. I have seen this BS happening to people over and over. Its Crazy. Good Job..!!! You can sell me my Next Property.
This is so disturbing, and disgusting! Ira, its appreciated, your showing the problem. The real problem - many of the elderly don't have someone to call, to 'check' these things. Also, as people age, they become more passive. I saw this with my aging father; any solicitation that came in the mail, he sent money to, because it 'looked' like a bill. It makes me think that here is a real 'needful' service: but ONLY for an honest person!!! Be an expert generalist, who can go in, and explain/show/advise people on various things, or tell them if a service pitch is baloney and a rip off. I hope those predators - wherever they may be! - are shut down permanently.
From having lived in coops and condos in the past - beware of management companies who send their own contractors. First, they don't hire a contractor unless they get a kickback; Second, these contractors usually do shoddy work
Thank you for doing this video., I am so proud that an agent took the time and energy to do this., It should save a lot of people a lot of money. You have to watch wherever you are buying. I am lucky because my husband is a Certified Home Inspector....Certified...that is the big deal...months of school and studying and then a 6 hour test. He actually caught the Villages trying to get away with a few things before they found out that he was certified and then they were back checking themselves. People should always get a reputable Home Inspector before buying any home. Again, Thanks Ira. Good Job.
This happens everywhere, no matter where you buy a home. I wouldn’t say this is The Villages fault. I do understand that sales predators see all retirement communities as easy pickings, but that’s not The Village’s liability or any other 55+ community.
These are the common bastards who DONT put their company stickers on their work. Dont do business with a big box store , I got quotes from the infamous blanlety blanks that was nearly double that of two reputable companys. They add big money to every job. Then you see the founding father of one of tge big boxes on a financial channel pounding on the poor!!
@PJ T: Look at the video, unless you are watching this on a smartphone the company names are visible. On a not quite related note: I am a retiree, and have AAA because I drive older cars, so when I wanted to get some work done on my car I went to a AAA recommended shop. They gave me an estimate for the work that was astronomical, I decided to find another shop. A more reputable shop told me that not only was the estimate grossly inflated, I didn't really need the job. Yes, folks take advantage of the elderly...but not just the elderly, and everyone needs to learn: get more than 1 estimate if the job exceeds $50-$100.
Many businesses in Florida Target the elderly with BS stories of what they need and what must be repaired. Most repairs they try to sell are not needed.
![[#2024MAMA] ROSÉ (로제), Bruno Mars - APT. | Mnet 241122 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgGqD28J6aQ/mqdefault.jpg)
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 88 | คู่เอก "ป้อมเพชร vs อัสลามจอน"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1ZqTVVbMgbo/mqdefault.jpg)
The world needs more humans like you. We need to put a stop to the theft!!! Especially our elderly!!!
A Realtor that actually cares about his customers after the sale? Now THAT is unbelievable. Good job bruh.
Fred Ost this kind of personality doesn’t exist too much.
@@vg5157 , I thought so to but I am blessed with a beautiful caring realtor with whom I call a friend.
Most Realtors do care about their customers after the sale.
Imagine how many foreigners fall for this terrorism tactics, scaring and threatening them to death if they don't buy their services and products!
@@tombennington4348 Most? Let me clarify………99%
Your parents taught you the values of honesty and integrity. Applause!!!
AMEN !!!
As a fellow REALTOR in Florida, I applaud your HONESTY and INTEGRITY!
Too many salespeople are in it for the money only with NO conscious whatsoever.
Scamming the elder;y, or unwary, should be a police matter....
It is, so long as they’re actions rise to the level of fraud
Thank you Sir for alerting us to the dangers of getting conned into things that should come with a home. Im 66 and I'm just gonna rent.
@@lindaharris6146 That's a good plan Linda.
Imagine how many foreigners fall for this terrorism tactics! Scaring them to death if they don't buy their services and products!
@@briancline7349 "... _they're_ actions..."(they are actions) ?
*their* actions (possessive form)
You are a blessing. My mother in-law almost fell for the same con artists till i stepped in. Man were they mad ! When they went over her ac system they closed off vents and turned her hot water heater to the lowest setting. Then had her walk through with them showing low ac flow and low hot water temp. After they left she called me. I went over with the realtor and reset it all back to normal with video coverage. Stuff hit the fan!! Always have a inspector of quality and honesty before buying a home. Thank You so much for this video.
Wow ! Those scammers actually tampered with perfectly good machinery in order to try and scam your mother in law ? Horrible ! I hope they paid dearly. Thank you for being there to prevent this !
Before you buy in Florida, if you come from a totally different area, go down and rent somewhere for a year. Make sure its what you want. I lived a while in the Villages area, then over to St. Augustine area then back to the central part of the state near again The Villages. For some, maybe most, its fine or even great. For me, after renting for about a year and a half, I guess I just couldnt get use to the lay of the land, the flatness. Loved the ocean, for a while, and I've spent time on the gulf side and the Atlantic side. Now, I dont golf. And after a while, I decided I missed the hills and mountains in NW Arkansas. The change of seasons. But my point is, I'm glad I dipped my toes in the water so to speak before I bought. No state income tax, but oh boy the property taxes, the insurance if you live near a coastline. Just saying to sample the menu before you order.
I wouldn't buy a house in Florida again and imo and observation if the entire neighborhood is newer than 20 yo chances are good its sitting on former swampland thats been filled with quarry rock. Its only a matter of time before sinkholes and foundation cracks appear but each to their own..roll the dice.
Great advice. Thanks!
Sounds good to me… thanks 😊
Unfortunate as this may be, but it is all too common on every retirement community. The punishment should be doubled for this predatory practice by low life scum bags. Thanks for sharing this very important public service announcement. Every senior community needs to form a watch group for people to call and get advices on. A group of handy man / woman can serve in this group.
Karma
As a retired widow I found this to be wonderful! Maybe this poor lady never knew about how to take care of such things in a home before because her husband always took care of them... Thanks so much! I’m sharing this...👍
You’re a decent human being, sir! Thank you for posting this video!
Thank you so much for this positive comment.
I Pray for more realtors like you. Decent, honest , kind & trying your best to help others , especially widows, as we are afraid & hesitant . TY for being who you are ! God Bless You !!!
That’s Exactly what I was going to post. You’re absolutely right. Ira is the man!
My elderly mother and I have a deal: no big purchases (over $500) without talking about it with me first. I have been able to help her not just avoid scams, though that is certainly an issue, but just to get the best deal (not best price, necessarily) on things. It usually takes just a little bit of research and calling around, talking to others - something that my mother has no patience for. The way businesses take advantage of the elderly is a huge problem and happens all the time.
Not just the elderly. Any vulnerable person (disabled, naive, immigrant).
Okay I'm gonna pause the video and say this... Please listen, i work at a home improvement store there In the villages and some of the things my customers come in and tell me are outrageous!!! I try my best to tell them the truth so that they can save their money all the time!! Just because you have money (or live in a community known for money) doesn't mean you have to spend it!! Always get a second opinion before signing any contract
When you move to a very different area, the scumbags crawl out from under the rocks. You are giving your clients the service they need and you are a good neighbor. I lived on the Mexican border for awhile and saw the same things happening. Good work. I am not moving to your area but you give us Southerners the good name that most of us deserve.
Thank you Sir. My husband is a retired electrician and he has always been the one to install and repair and build on our home.
If he passes on before me, all that knowledge will go with him. So I'm doubly grateful to you for showing me what could happen should I ever live alone.
Dirtbags will always prey upon the elderly, any retirement community is a prime target for them.
Boomer1941 noname I’m 63, i was a Merchant Mariner 20 years and then a graveshift Cab driver in a Casino Town 20 years, I just look sweet and have already had to take a few down!! Lol!!
I hope the state was contacted for each of those suppliers that took advantage of that poor lady's ignorance of mechanical systems and whether they were needed and how much she was charged. Serious offenses in Florida, especially against the elderly...
Probably useless. Those sectors have their own business lobbys even in small low population states to get regulations that favour them. FL would have been top priority. There's all sorts of regulations to keep people from going off the grid for example.
The Villages management could be circumventing the scammer problems in their area with some simple rules...but they don't care about these people so they continue to be scammed along with other serious issues in the Villages. I wouldn't let my Mother consider moving here because of all their issues. 👎👎👎👎👎
@@kbkmusicsnob The Villages is a joke, just a money pot for the Morse's when they already have billions from that community
Just another form of elder abuse!!
How could anyone give a thumbs down on this video, great advice, more agents should be like him !!!
Love this guy, great public service. I not moving there but he'd my realtor if I did.
Bless you, for making this video. We need to protect our elder citizens.
@@argtv100 You should watch my latest video... I made it for people EXACTLY like you.... You don't know me nor have you ever worked with me so how can you make any such claims?
Where were her children?
@@kidgreenhorn ....Sometimes it's the children or other close relatives who stand to gain freebies who are THE WORST. My ex husband was involved with a woman who conned her own sick and dying (of dementia) mother into signing a full power of attorney plus....change her will to give the daughter EVERYTHING, screwing over the other siblings completely. With offspring like that, who the hell needs enemies?
@Marjo .....OMG. POA doesn't give anyone the right to just steal. Of course, only you can decide whether it would be worth it to legally challenge your sister. I urge you to speak to your State's Atty, the AG's office, office for elder affairs or contact someone at AARP who could refer you to the proper agency acting as advocates for seniors' rights. What my ex's girlfriend and your sister did is not only immoral and unethical---it's downright criminal!
@Bonnie Holman ....Yes, she was and still is a conniving scumbag who played my ex and his one brother like a fiddle. That woman is a curse who causes emotional pain and financial loss for those close to her but they overlook it all and I will never understand why. Thankfully we had no children......really getting to know my ex and his family played a huge part in that decision.
Their all over the state of Florida, not just the Villages.
Not just in Florida, all over! I don't answer my phone if it's not someone I know.
Florida is really bad for scam artists.
I winter in Sebring, and after Irma moved through, several of my neighbors were scammed. One is a friend of mine, and a visit from the sheriff provided a full refund.
They're all over the United States!
Maybe the village's should warn folks as part of the move in process.
They should.
@veronica carlson move
Maybe the HOA gets a cut of the action.
Follow the money to find out why it's being tolerated.
Maybe The Villages are the ones selling these people the homeowners number
Hey, what a concept. I often wonder why anyone would want to live in one of these places.
Why would anyone thumbs down this video ? Good advice from this guy.
The scammers thumbed down the video. I guess this was her first house. Maybe she lived in apartments before.
Lousy video
@@lindabuck2777 He was trying to get the word out quickly, not win an award for video production.
Cause they own the scam companies.
Because its the sellers.
Having been a realtor years back I can see you are an honest professional realtor, kudos! I worked in a Vancouver, BC area realty office for 2 years with the most unethical realtors I have ever seen. Many contract closings with missing critical information for the buyer. Sickening. One bought a resort only to find out after purchase the municipality take a large section of his property for public road expansion. Realtor knew, but withheld this. Made lots of money from this transaction. Sickening. You are providing an excellent service bringing light to this garbage. Thank you.
It is great that you are looking out for people. You are a true member of your community. Your service to others is above and beyond . I have a home service company. For the last 30 years I have seen heartless actions by salesman.
I have seen this first hand in the villages. As an Hvac technician on vacation visiting my brother, he asked me to inspect his a/c unit that a local contractor told him was corroded beyond repair. It was in excellent condition and had plenty of years left. Seems to be a general lack of integrity taking advantage of unknowing trusting people.
Your brother announced his relative affluence by choosing the community and house. People could play down their means and live more modestly.
@@atteroljones6936
Florida is full of crooks
@atterol jones - So the homeowner is to blame for living in a nice home in a nice community? He’s to blame for almost being conned by a scammer HVAC tech?
Way to go Mr. Realtor! Honesty is the best policy.
This not only happens in The Villages, these guys, especially the water guys, are everywhere.
Decency and integrity. Things that are in short supply nowadays. Thank you
since she has receipts she can go to OPA office they specialize in older peopole being taken advantage, stealing from them
Way to go Tom, see there are still some honest people left in world.
Some of these a-holes can get pretty aggressive and intimidate newcomers. My advice, DO NOT do business with solicitors, if you need something, only work with local businesses who have been in business more than 15 years and get recommendations.
A quick scam is the 300 dollar capacitor when they come out to service ac unit. the part is 15-25 bucks retail. I was told I needed one 11 years ago told the guy get out of my house. It's been fine for 11 years.
I had a some pap smear tell me I needed a new air conditioner. Said it would be about $7000. I did some research on TH-cam and thought I would just replace the capacitor and see. That's all it was. Cost me $30 and I put it in myself.
@@paulkoller8104 shame there are so many predators. it's bad in fl where they take advantage of seniors who retire to enjoy their golden years. it's theft plain and simple.
A Capacitor should cost no more than $3, the one you are talking about is an electrolytic and I have a few in my workshop. Pity Radio shack is no more.
Sorry, I have lived in Florida off and on for nearly 50 years, 35 of them as a homeowner, and these types of rip-offs are prevalent all over Florida but are usually targeted at folks seen as elderly snowbirds.
This poor lady did not do her homework. If nothing else it doesn't sound like she bothered to get multiple estimates for work done.
Again, sad story, but not confined to The Villages.
If you take advantage of a person of any age just because you can, then you are no better than the gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe. This story breaks my heart.
I don't know how old this lady nor do I know her circumstances. One thing is certain though, the older you get, the harder it gets to do your "homework".
The HOAs should be held accountable for allowing these "Constrictors" into the "Villages".
Fk an HOA
How so? The HOA has no control over whom a resident contracts with for home services.
Herrick Inman they do have control,who has access
Yes absolutely!
They are them or get kickbacks and only use propaganda and bs as to inform encumbered "owners"..suckers!!!???
When your ready to retire it best to rent. Anything goes wrong let the management of the complex deal with it. If things don't get fix, just move. Avoid buying a lot of stuff, less things to move.
Past it certain age, if you move it's better to rent.
Not really you are dependent on landlord doing repairs, not raising rent etc
@@tradingwithwill7214 just don't move to a large city that's booming, where large corporations are relocating to. Then rent prices will sky rocket along with it.
Appreciate your advice ! Wish there were more people like you in this world
Thank you for this. Many seniors are vulnerable to scams -
You performed a great service to your community by posting this. The world needs more people like you that are honest.
Are you saying the HVAC contractor sold the lady the water heater as well? How old is the house? I would think an air handler would last about 10 years or so, mine lasted 7 or 8 before I had to swap out the coils, but the unit had a 10 year warranty so that was labor only.
It’s sure is helpful to have some one like you to let people know what is going on.
Part of my duty as an estate management service technician.
Is every homeowner and/or client is to give any non scheduled service or utilities representative my phone contact or info.
That usually settles everything.
Funny how they don't call me or harass my clients about any "imperative" issues after being informed of estate management hurdle.
Even if you don't have an estate manager...
Just act like you do!
Thank you for posting about scamers. I bought a property in 2012 at Del Webb Golf & Country Club and I got scammed a few times. I was not familiar with many appliances & devices since my main residence is in Canada. I learned the hard way. Last time I reported a scamer to the local chamber of commerce. I suggest to check with it before contracting with any vendor.
It's hard to believe that it's been over 6 years since Dena & I began watching your videos. It's been 2 years since you worked your magic so we could buy our home, and we appreciate you! News Flash folks - Ira Miller knows his craft and can help you secure the home of your dreams!
Im lucky cause i have no problem not answering the phone ever and when i sometimes do i answer who's calling and have no problem just cutting off the conversation !
People that scam are evil should be charged with elder abuse also
I usually answer with " Fraud department, how may I help you? I never say yes if someone asks me if I can hear them. I just keep saying no, I can't for my hearing aid!! Then i start yelling at them to call me back tomorrow 😂😂😂😂😂. I also speak to them in German or another language, or just gibberish!! I've also threatened to sue the hell out of them as I'm on the do not call list!! That usually works pretty well also. I keep my voice mail full, and don't answer the phone unless I recognize the number. That may not work for everyone especially if your doctor's office etc isn't on your contact list.
Those houses are all fairly new there. Why would she already need a whole new A/C system? Thanks Ira, exposure is the best prevention with these crooks.
Built fast cheapest subs they can find sell for as much as they can
You cant find anybody that will do a big repair and the repair will cost $2300 on an “ old” unit.
Because builders only use the smallest AC unit per square foot the code allows. Often the units are 2 small and need to work harder to cool and heat and wear out sooner.
Florida has lots of rust i think which ruins units
The lakes insiders pave the streets yearly, for pay and kickbacks, ext ect ect...looters..
Good video. It's not only the villages. It's all of Florida. When I first moved to Florida my dad was here 6 months. I asked how are the people around here and he slyly chuckled "watch your back".
Thank you Ira, hope this helps thousands of people !!
Thank you Ira for being so honest and genuinely concerned about people. I'm a younger widow, and although my husband taught me alot about many things, life turns upside down and it is very difficult to make these kinds of decisions without our husbands knowledge and support. I'm so sorry for this woman but thankful she has family to return back to. I appreciate your videos and have been researching the Villages as a possible future home. I find your videos to be very helpful.
Yes ! I am 62 & single . Empty nester & proud , blessed Gramma. I like to look at videos on the Villages , and other places in FLA ... gathering info for possible future move. I am the demographic these predators would go after. Thank you to this kind gentleman for warning us !
I am sorry for your loss ! Liz
@@lizzabbott You may be in the demographic, but it sounds like they’d be sorely disappointed.
The Villages should screen all contractors before they can enter the property.That unit wholesales for five hundred dollars
Bingo !
Call the Elder Abuse Hotline and report these companies! They will go after these companies. These should be part of the Aging and Disability Resource Dept in most states.
thank you for protecting senior citizens most especially and all of your clients I wish i had one like you when i bought my house . Now i will seek someone like you when i buy my retirement home thank you . God will reward you richly .
This is so true! They pull this type of scam on EVERYBODY that does not have knowledge. I'm in property management in Tampa and we have gone through many AC contractors, Plumbers and others trying to find good, honest businesses to deal with. If you have questions, call someone in the real estate business you trust and ask them. we are more than happy to help!
I love getting these guys in my house and letting them talk. Then I rip them a new asshole. Or I sometimes ask questions that I know they can't answer. Sometimes I sign a contract and cancel the next day, just to break balls. I'm a retired HVAC Engineer. I pretty much know everything mechanical.
Haha I hope you keep doing this, the longer you waste their time the less time they have to be preying upon somebody who doesn't know any better.
There is a special place in Hell for these people! I am retired and I get a dozen phone calls a day from people wanting money!
@Jimmy Meade a lot of communities have no soliciting signs posted.
Try being a widow...they all think you're demented....my engineering degree makes fools of them all, and my accountant is a demon who hates this sort. My lawyers downright scary, Ladies and gentlemen, get the legal help you need...this mani s a great start.
Ignore them and block their numbers.
I placed a fax machine recording on my VM box. Just in case. 🤣
Best way is, to disconnect home phone, no more calls from crooks
The sooner they make it a felony to take advantage of at risk people...the better. You are a person of integrity.
omg omg omg omg omg i just saw the water heater omy what ashame this is criminal
If there were more people in the world like you Sir, the world would be a better place. You can lose everything but if you still have your integrity, you've got a lot and it will go a long way in life!
Thanks for filming and posting this. Elder fraud is despicable.
I do not know the age of the owner. I am just wondering why she did not consult with her children? Great advice from this realtor. I know as my parents aged I was thankful that my dad always consulted me on large purchases.
Most of these people are easy prey BECAUSE the will not trust their kids or their local people like their banker or even their doctor...but a Con man tell them what they want to hear...Many first hand experiences from people that I know and coworkers....of aging parents who hide their finances from them and give away whatever they have to the con man...sometimes substantial amounts ...but sadly often just all that they have...
In one case that I am familiar with...one of my coworkers a middle aged man....got a call from the bank....the banker called him and the Sheriff...His Dad was down at the bank with a stranger and he was trying to close out his account and get his cash to give the guy....The banker was stalling....but the fact is it was Dad's money and he can do what ever he wants with it....The guy wasn't intimidated by the sheriff or the banker...Because he knew where he stood with the law....They eventually got a judge to give control of the remaining money to a guardian...but Dad never forgave his son..Quote...."You kids just want to get all of my money"!....
Frequently they are consumed with the need for secrecy....while at the very same time also compelled to to place absolute trust in a stranger...I know that my own Mother and Stepfather absolutely didn't want any of the kids to know any of their business while they were alive...and Yes they were exploited by Financial Advisors and Estate Planners...Falling prey to setting up trusts and placing no assets in them....making investment choices that only profited the advisor and so on...
The point is that if you want to have free choice...It by definition has to allow the ability to make bad choices!....It is simply binary there is no other way...Either Mom & Dad...are adults who have the autonomy to make their own choices ....Or they don't and they need a keeper!...
Thank you for exposing these criminals!
Thank you, Mr. Miller, for this public service announcement! You are a Gentleman and Businessman with integrity.
I can’t even watch the whole video I can feel my blood pressure rising. Maybe the Villages needs a better POA, maybe they need a good neighborhood Facebook page.
But you’ve done a wonderful thing. Thank you for being responsible.
My BIL and SIL bought in The Villages, and tried to persuade my late husband and I to do likewise.
We declined.
I was at Home Depot and a lady in a booth asked me if I wanted a free home testing of my tap water. I agreed and next thing I know I have a high pressure salesman at my house trying to sell a Rain Soft water system for $5000.00.
Never speak to sales reps .
See what I am talking about... It's ridiculous
Rain Soft...stay far away.
Your water will ALWAYS test bad.
Know that up front.
Their aim is to make that "test" NOT free!
My wife wanted to enter a contest for a trip but the only trip we took was to court where they were crooks and never pulled proper permit for the job. They mailed us a check for what they never did and we had another company do the job for half.
Rain soft sucks crooks
This was a good video for anyone buying anywhere. Thank you!
Actually, this is happening to the elderly all over Florida.
Contractors try this crap on almost everyone!
Ira, you might also want to add that there are special laws in place in Florida for taking advantage of the elderly. They apply to anyone 60 or older and include penalties which are in ADDITION to existing laws against consumer fraud. I am also an MLS Realtor in the area, but I'll refrain from saying which company! Nice video sir.
Great job. I used to live there and so it MANY TIMES, one water guy tried to sell me one for $8000, I laughed and showed him my filtration system I installed for $150 myself. LOL. Call it naive, or call it stupid--yes, that why they are predators because so many people just do not research things before they sign on the dotted line.
If I did not call them I hang up the phone!! unwanted calls are NOT welcome
Someone on the inside has to be in on this scam that's making a cut!
Poor lady has already been out 20k just in her garage..
This is so common. I live in another country now so when my mother needed minor work done, she was badly scammed in California and sold items they claimed were essential for her new built-in stove. She was usually cautious but did not understand the technical jargon they used. The over only needed the easily replaceable heating element for the bottom. I had replaced on in her former house for $19 in parts. But they charged her $2300. Later she went in for her annual checkup at 74 years old, and her doctor was on vacation so she got a referral to another doctor who had to admit rights to the same hospital. She had some ailments but nothing that was not well controlled by medication. The doctor she did not know took a look at her record and saw she had a golden medical insurance program as a state of California employee most of her life. He told her she needed a heart operation immediately and there was no time to wait for her doctor to return from vacation or to contact me 9,000 miles away. She got a million-dollar heart operation, and both her doctor and I were shocked. A nurse in her doctor's office contacted me and said she wanted to apprise me of the situation. Her doctor came back to find his long-time patient was conned into a dangerous unneeded operation but could not say anything to me directly in case we wanted to make a formal complaint or lawsuit.. It was a difficult recovery but she did recover in about 6 months and twice had developed staph infections when visiting the hospital for checks. Those staph infections were very hard to knock down and since she refused to stay in the hospital the insurance would not cover home care so she paid for it. The antibiotic she needed for the hospital-induced infection was in liquid form and had to be injected 1 time a day for 1 days. But it was not available for home care unless using a pump that connected to the phone line and only after a check cleared for each day, for $782 was FexEx'ed to the company back east would turn on the pump to inject it. On the 4th day of that routine, I found out from my sister what as going on. She gave me the name of the antibiotic and I checked with a girlfriend who was a doctor and she said she knew of it but it was not imported to where I was living, in St Petersburg Russia. She put in touch the distributed in Germany where is the company located. I was able to get an import waiver for it in 2 hours with the help of the doctor to get an import license. I flew to Germany and bought the antibiotic that cost me $14 per dose!! I flew back the same night and was in California 18 hours later and she was able to finish the course of injections without the pump and $782 per day charges. We considered suing the surgeon but my mother had been through so much that we decided it would be too hard on her.
So it is all salesmen and even doctors who prey on the elderly. Many communities I found out later, have elder care watchdog groups to try to shield the elderly from being scammed but they are from a generation that tended to believe authority figures or government so many never reveal they were scammed.
The water heater she had is a Demand Heater which draws a lot of current to heat the water as it is flowing to the shower or kitchen, but only when the hot water tap is flowing.. They are very good for people who sometimes now around to use hot water, such as those who work all day and return in the evening, because it does not rise any power keeping the water in the tank hot. I used one that was the size of a shoebox for a shower in my barn when I had a ranch. It sold me on the concept. Later when I moved to Russia found all apartments have a gas version and new construction country homes that most city families have which they might not visit all winter. She would have been better served if she never talked to the company which sold her an unneeded water heater but she probably never knew what that box outside was.
Great video Ira! I’m sure this will help some people here in The Villages
In PA we have a Dept. of Aging with specific law enforcement attention to crimes targeting the elderly. Our State Reps take this seriously.
Love PA!!
Thank you for Good.people like you who have true compassion for others, especially for strangers. One aspect of Love is to share knowledge. Thank you for your honest and conscientious videos. All the best to you sir.
The Villages is large enough to have an owner's list of preferred contractors prepared by different groups in the Villages and recommended by owners.
5/19/19.....I live near The Villages...in Lady Lake & used to be a real estate broker in Atlanta.
So many not-too-smart agents + lots of money-scammers in/around The Villages....esp bad on widowed ladies with nobody to "guide" them once they come to this area....b/c lots of ppl just don't know how to look for/choose the property that's "right for them" @ this retirement stage in their life.
i've seen your ads & been to some of your open houses. You have done a great job making this video. Next time I'm looking for a house, I'm hiring you!
I KNOW your video will help a bunch of ppl!
hey i would love to have you as my realtor agent-you are a rare breed-a honest,caring realtor
god bless you for it
Katherine, Thank you for your comment. If you ever decide to purchase here let me know, I would love to help.
So this is not specific to the Villages, it’s just that these predators know that seniors are more trusting and Villages owners are seniors?
Yes, older people...heck I am 71...but of a newer generation....grew up in a time when authority figures or government were trusted unless proven otherwise. It was a different world when they grew up and trust was the default position.
You're right, very much not specific to the villages or even Florida for that matter. My parents were talked into getting a new furnace when there current one was still working, only about 10 years old. But in the villages, the scammers have a much bigger barrel into which they are shooting.
Yes, the title scared me. Made me think this was a problem with The Villages, but it’s really about scammers taking advantage of the elderly.
Bless you for taking time to give this great advice.
Thank you for making us all more aware....no matter where we live! :)
Very honorable for you to do this. I’m not in the Villages, but know a man and his wife that will most likely buy there. Passing this along.
HOA Horror Story #1. My wife and I discovered that our friends on the board of our HOA were not our friends at all when we had the exterior of our house repainted. We had the house painted gray with pink shutters, like you might find on a New England cottage. We got a lot of compliments from our neighbors. Then the notice came from our HOA. The gray was fine, but our pink shutters were too?pink. We had to drab them down, or face a battery of consequences, including accelerating fines, that the notice apprised us were the associations legal right to pursue. All color schemes that departed from the original that came with your house required pre-approval by the board. So much for freedom of choice.
HOA Horror Story #2. One of my best friends (who moved into the same neighborhood after we moved out) got a notice from the HOA telling him he needed to put curtains on the second floor windows of his house. The reason: ?neighbors? (an HOA?s favorite subterfuge) complained that they could see the furniture in his bedroom windows. I still can?t make sense out of that one, but it was similar to the notice that we received for the offensive paint job on our shutters.
HOA Horror Story #3. A mortgage client of mine received notice from his HOA that he and his wife needed to store their three-year-old daughter?s toys out of sight, rather than letting them sit in the backyard. I?m not sure exactly what the crime was here, but they were forced to comply.
HOA Horror Story #4. A distraught friend of mine called me one day telling me that she had just received notice from her HOA informing her of a recently passed rule requiring all vehicles to be garaged between the hours of midnight and six a.m. No overnight parking of vehicles either in driveways or on streets would be permitted. Since all houses in the neighborhood had no more than a two car garage, this was a fundamental issue for anyone with kids who also have cars. I?m not sure what they were going for with this one either, but I thought that it would create a security risk, since the entire neighborhood would look abandoned overnight. She sold and moved out shortly after.
They all sound like reasonable rules to me. (and I hate HOA's, and would never live in one) I guess you enjoy living in sheetholes where a neighbor can put up a Puerto Ricand flag and drop property values overnight.
There rules are meant to maintain property values and quality of life. Everything you describe are eyesore issues. They should have read the CC&Rs provided during escrow and not bought there. They probably liked the orderly neighborhoods, then didn’t want to do their part to keep them that way.
These crooks should be prosicuted to the full extent of 5he law. Thank you for caring.
Us older folks are frequent targets of the scammers. I get phone calls all the time about home repairs. If I were to move to The Villages and thought I needed a water softener, I'd talk with my neighbors. It's a good excuse to get to know them, and I'd find out if they had a softener, and if so, who installed/serviced it, and if they were happy with it. I have never hired any home service without a careful investigation of their reputation and their work.
I always ask my folks about projects,and we have good people around them. But not everyone has that,so thank you for posting this.
That other agent needs to be stopped from trading. It's a standard part of the job to point out the features and the problems. You are a decent man.
I dont know how people can sleep at night scamming anybody especially the elderly. This is terrible, just terrible. I appreciate your honesty & integrity. I think this would be a great place to retire but, I haven't been down there to stay for a week. Still deciding. Thank you so very much for sharing & doing this video. Stay safe and God bless!
Unfortunately the elderly are easily intimidated by these leaches. Sad.
Bobby Jo Cowpoke A lot of the elderly today are usually women not ever having to do anything to hold jobs and their husbands did everything, so they are left on their own and do not know how to deal with these Scam Artists....
You Sir... Are 100% Correct...!!! I have been a technician for 40 Years. I have seen this BS happening to people over and over. Its Crazy. Good Job..!!! You can sell me my Next Property.
This makes me angry too Ira. Thank you for your concern and for providing this necessary public warning.
This is so disturbing, and disgusting! Ira, its appreciated, your showing the problem.
The real problem - many of the elderly don't have someone to call, to 'check' these things. Also, as people age, they become more passive. I saw this with my aging father; any solicitation that came in the mail, he sent money to, because it 'looked' like a bill.
It makes me think that here is a real 'needful' service: but ONLY for an honest person!!! Be an expert generalist, who can go in, and explain/show/advise people on various things, or tell them if a service pitch is baloney and a rip off.
I hope those predators - wherever they may be! - are shut down permanently.
From having lived in coops and condos in the past - beware of management companies who send their own contractors. First, they don't hire a contractor unless they get a kickback; Second, these contractors usually do shoddy work
It's worth every penny. The parties in the Villages are INCREDIBLE !!!
God Bless you patriot thank you for your commentary sir
Buying a house has so many factors to know. Thanks for the POINTERS .
This whole thing makes me sick! As a single lady retiring to Southern Florida soon, I won't be suckered out my money. Thanks for the video!!!
You made a great video. Unfortunately, scammers have been around since the beginning of time. That’s our world. Buyers beware.
Thank you for doing this video., I am so proud that an agent took the time and energy to do this., It should save a lot of people a lot of money. You have to watch wherever you are buying. I am lucky because my husband is a Certified Home Inspector....Certified...that is the big deal...months of school and studying and then a 6 hour test. He actually caught the Villages trying to get away with a few things before they found out that he was certified and then they were back checking themselves. People should always get a reputable Home Inspector before buying any home. Again, Thanks Ira. Good Job.
This happens everywhere, no matter where you buy a home. I wouldn’t say this is The Villages fault.
I do understand that sales predators see all retirement communities as easy pickings, but that’s not The Village’s liability or any other 55+ community.
Show the salesperson and the companies again. Special place in hell for people who steal from the elderly.
These are the common bastards who DONT put their company stickers on their work. Dont do business with a big box store , I got quotes from the infamous blanlety blanks that was nearly double that of two reputable companys. They add big money to every job. Then you see the founding father of one of tge big boxes on a financial channel pounding on the poor!!
Let's not forget about the ill.
@PJ T:
Look at the video, unless you are watching this on a smartphone the company names are visible.
On a not quite related note: I am a retiree, and have AAA because I drive older cars, so when I wanted to get some work done on my car I went to a AAA recommended shop. They gave me an estimate for the work that was astronomical, I decided to find another shop. A more reputable shop told me that not only was the estimate grossly inflated, I didn't really need the job.
Yes, folks take advantage of the elderly...but not just the elderly, and everyone needs to learn: get more than 1 estimate if the job exceeds $50-$100.
PJ T Do google and Yelp reviews to warn potential victims.
Thank you for looking out for your clients!
Many businesses in Florida Target the elderly with BS stories of what they need and what must be repaired. Most repairs they try to sell are not needed.