An older couple was taken advantage of by a fraudulent Builder, who was using somebody else’s contractor license to pull permits. The one thing he DID succeed in was modifying their property to be their dream retirement home. Where he went wrong was using a minor inspection to stage a fake Final Inspection from the County, collect final payment, and skip town. Oh, yeah . . . and built part of the addition more than a foot in the wrong place. Fast forward two years later, the husband has suddenly and unexpectedly been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His condition worsens rapidly. The wife scrambles to get the house on the market, only to find that there were no final inspections, and was in violation of the required setbacks.

I was able to work with one of my contacts inside the inspections department to make a list of things that needed to be corrected, and what remedies they would accept in order to approve upon an actual final inspection. I arranged for trade contractors to bring the items into compliance, while filing an appeal with the Zoning Board as to the building location. I submitted an extensive report on the exact condition of the property, photos, descriptions, a detailed account of the couple’s health crisis, and the actions of the criminal Builder.

I would represent them in person at the BZA Hearing after months of cultivating a friendly relationship with Zoning Department Staff who could recommend a remedy that would allow final legal closure of the permits. I was also able to cultivate a cooperative relationship with the violations department inside the county to help track down and prosecute the fraudulent Builder.

During this time the Owner received a new contract offer. I served as mediator with the new buyer and real estate agent, giving them confidence that I would stick with this process and see it through. The buyer made concessions, accepted responsibility, and contracted with me to continue the work beyond a successful closing on the house. The older couple were able to move away to another home near family and get help for the husband to live peacefully.