PAGE 4 August 12, 2009
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Real Estate Today
Swiggett stepping down to patrol
duty revealed at IPD meeting
A Guest Commentary by Darryl Diamond
DISCLOSURE ISSUES WHEN BUYING LARGE TRACTS OF LAND
When aspiring agents go to real estate school to take their 63 hour
A meeting was held at the Inglis Police Department, Sunday night, to discuss crime
pre license course they get taught & tested primarily on residential prop-
trends and other matters that concern the town, according to Police Chief Stive Dixon. As
erty sales and real estate law. The 45 hour post licensing course touches
police departments do not fall under Florida s Sunshine Law, Chief Dixon wanted the public
briefly on analyzing real estate investments but is still focused mainly on
to be aware that the department had a needed meeting and nothing more!
how to get a listing, and how to comply with state and federal laws and the
At the meeting, Sgt. Tim Swiggett, Patrol Supervisor, handed-in his stripes, so he
such. Granted there is commercial real estate training available for newbie
could go back to patrol duty, which he loves, and spend more time with his family. “I really
agents at some companies and some Realtor boards, but is not a require-
enjoy being out there on the streets, with the citizens, as opposed to sitting behind a desk,
ment at any time in their career unless they go back to school to be their own broker. Levy,
the majority of the time,” he said. “I want to to be involved in the arrests and cases more, as
Marion, and Citrus counties have lots of raw land for sale.
opposed to just reading them as they cross my desk.”
If you are an investor and/or builder looking to purchase raw land please be aware
Chief Dixon has not yet announced who will be promoted to the newly vacant
that the standard “Realtor Vacant Land Contract” protects the buyer for several important
Patrol Supervisor job.
Homosassa Man Arrested For
items, but sadly omits many more. It also states that the land will be conveyed in as-is con-
dition. It mentions such items as, taxes may go up with transfer of ownership, be aware of
the flood zone designation, be aware of any potential eminent domain situations, coastal
Impersonating A Police Officer
construction control line situations, force majeure (act of god) situations, and allows for a
feasibility study covering governmental and zoning situations. While that may have been
fine in the past, however commercial land transactions have become more complex, and
A Homosassa man, William Joseph Stager, 32, 4287 Marcan Terrace, was arrested
sophisticated as of last.
by the Citrus County Sheriff s Office, August 4, charged with impersonating a law enforce-
The solution is asking the seller to give you a “land disclosure” similar to a residen-
ment officer. He was later released on this own recognizance.
tial home disclosure. You want the seller to disclose any information they have on, encroach-
The arrest report stated that a 27-year-old Crystal River man made a complaint
ments, easements, presence of endangered species, any assignment or forfeiture of timber
to the sheriff s office, that while he was in Club Inferno in Crystal River on July 30th, he
rights, is there any groundwater or land contamination, and are there any methane gas, radon
was approached by a stranger who told him the he was going to arrest him on a sexual
gas, or pesticide issues known to the seller? Has the land been mined in the past? Has any
assault-type charge. Stager allegedly told the man that he d taken sworn testimony from
fuel or paints been stored on site? Any fissures or sink holes on site? Any graveyards or pet
five witnesses who claimed that he was responsible for the alleged sexual misconduct.
cemeteries on site? Does the property have an agricultural or forestry tax deferment plan in
The argument between Stager and the victim became very heated, so that the manager of
effect?
the club intervened. The manager told deputies that Stager produced a sheriff s badge and
If recently forested, is the harvest and replanting plan being supervised by an ex-
told him not to mess with him, or he would bring the wrath of the sheriff s office down on
perienced forester? The new Levy county power plants plan to pump used water down to
Club Inferno. Stager was asked to leave the club, and he did, the report stated. Around 3:00
the existing plant in Crystal River. Lands in that area will be impacted with underground
a.m., early morning of the same evening, the victim received a threatening voice mail from
(Mineral rights) being sold. There are many other items I include in my advise to my land
Stager, the report stated, telling him that he was going to get a warrant for his arrest, and he
buyers, but just remember this. If you buy raw land in Florida ask your buyers agent to get
again mentioned the five sworn testimonie sand also allegedly made a racial slur.
a disclosure to cover you on these and other items that concern you. Please protect your
The investigation produced Stager as a suspect on July 31st. Detectives contacted
self.
the Iredell County (NC) Sheriff s Office and learned that Stager was a former sheriff s de-
If you do not have an agent that is proficient in this type of specialized property call
outy with the department, but had left their employment about two years ago. The same day,
me, and I will be happy to work to protect you. Darryl, Vicki and Shirley are “The Diamond
the manager of Club Inferno positively identified Stager as the man who impersonated the
Team” We are the seasoned professionals at Diamond Investments Inc., and we are available
law enforcement officer at Club Inferno.
for all of your real estate needs. If you are looking to buy property, we would appreciate the
When interviewed, Stager admitted to identifying himself as a police officer, but
opportunity to show you the many great deals we presently have, some with owner financ-
said that he d never identified himself as a CCSO deputy. He was booked in on the charge
ing. Please call us at 352-447-4442. I ll see you around “The Campus”
and later released on his own recognizance.
Computer Skills, Kayaking Offered
Yankeetown Realtor Dies
In CFCC Citrus Campus Classes
Longtime Yankeetown resident and real estate broker William
(Bill) Cox passed away Monday morning at his real estate office. Bill and
wife Sally were active Yankeetown residents and the owners of Sally Forte
Learn how to buy and sell on e-Bay at Central Florida Community College. Learn
Realty where Bill spent many hours enjoying the residents and customers
how to open an e-Bay account, how to utilize PayPal, how to research, create or enhance
who stopped by to buy, look or just chat. Bill had a long running involve-
listings. Students will learn how to shop on e-Bay and determine pricing. Class will be held
ment in Yankeetown politics, serving multiple terms on the Yankeetown
on Saturdays, August 15-August 22nd from 1-4 p.m. Fee for the class is $89.00.
Council, other town boards and holding president and other offices in the
Of course, our Basic Kayaking class will be on August 14th from 9 a.m to 12:00
Republican Club. Bill was also past president of the Knotts Riverforest
Bill Cox
p.m. Learn the basics of kayaking and enjoy the Florida weather on the Homosassa River.
foundation which donated to local charities.
Class meets at Riversport Kayaks in Homosassa. Fee for the class is $35.00. Kayak Fishing
Because he haled from Adrian, Michigan Bill never passed up an opportunity to
classes are also available.
discuss the outlook for the Univerisity of Michigan football team. Bill was a person who
Pottery class begins again on August24th. This class is designed to enrich your
always stepped up to the plate when a job needed doing. Bill would have been 71 on Sep-
talents working with clay as well as learning hand and wheel techniques. Class is held
tember 1st. Our expression of sympathy goes to his wife Sally. Services are not known at
on Mondays and Wednesdays, August 24th – September 16th from 5-8 p.m. Class fee is
press time.
$65.00 and clay may be purchased at the class. To register for these classes or for more
Important Toll Free Numbers
information call 352 249-1210
Citrus Cty Govt. Citrus Springs & Dunnellon 489-2120
The Citrus Campus is once again offering the very popular “Pool Care for the Pool
Levy Cty Govt. 800-733-5389
Owner” class. It will be held on Thursdays, August 20th - August 27th from 5:30 -8:30 p.m.
Learn about pool equipment, water chemistry, and safety issues. Class fee is $39.00.
Levy Cty Sheriff 800-538-9767
Foster Perry, Realtor
7
FINANCE or REFINANCE with
ERA Suncoast Realty
Lisa VanDeBoe
1206 S.E. U.S. Hwy. 19Crystal River, FL
Broker/Owner
GREAT TIME TO BUY A HOME
352-422-7925
Angela “Bunny” Adams
Lowest home prices & interest
See all the listings in Citrus County on our Website
Phone: (352) 220-8828
www.plantationrealtyinc.com
rates in many decades!!!!!!
email: lisavandeboe@yahoo.com
Fax: (352) 337-0723
(352) 795-6811 OFFICE
Trade, barter, or will take partner & share
Office E-Mail: aadams@apexlending.com
(352) 257-2181 CELL
equity in 5/2 home on 11 acres (MOL) in
Equal Housing Opportunity
Home E-Mail: bunnyadams@comcast.net
(352) 447-8055 HOME
EMAIL foster233@bellsouth.net
Licensed Mortgage Broker
ID LI00000703883
I n g l i s . A l s o o ff e r e d f o r s a l e a t $ 3 2 9 , 0 0 0
(352) 795-2662 FAX
WEBSITE www.ERASuncoast.com