Early estimates in response to dozens of lawsuits has determined that defective Chinese drywall is present in at least two percent of the 20,000 single-family houses developed in Florida between 2006 and 2007 by Miami-based homebuilder Lennar Corp.
The number of defective residences may grow even higher as Lennar's research has just begun to determine how many other homes the Miami company built in earlier years in Florida that contain Chinese drywall, which causes metal corrosion, foul smells, and physical irritation to some individuals.
Lennar initiated the research for Chinese drywall in response to 43 lawsuits from homeowners that have been filed against the homebuilder in state and federal courts.
"The company is currently unable to reasonably estimate its future exposure relating to defective Chinese drywall," according to Lennar's second quarter filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. "However, the company is continuing its investigation of homes it delivered during the relevant time period in order to determine whether there are additional homes, not yet inspected, with defective Chinese drywall and resulting damage."
Based on the initial findings, Lennar has set aside nearly $40 million to repair about 400 single-family houses in Florida with the defective drywall but is prepared to increase that amount based on future findings, according to the SEC filing.
Florida is estimated to have about one-third of the 100,000 single-family homes constructed nationwide with defective Chinese drywall, according to CondoVultures.com.
This estimate does not include defective Chinese drywall that may have been used to build out some of the high-rise condo towers that were developed throughout the state during the boom years of 2003 to 2007.
At least one high-end condo tower in Greater Miami is known to have defective Chinese drywall present and several other new skyscrapers are suspected of also having the defect present, said Peter Zalewski, a principal with the Bal Harbour, Fla.-based real estate consultancy Condo Vultures® LLC.
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Peter Zalewski of Condo Vultures® can be reached at 800-750-0517 or by email at peter@condovultures.com. Don't forget to sign up for our weekly Market Intelligence Report™ for detailed condo reports. Looking for a property at a deep discount? You are encouraged to take a peek at the Vultures Database™ or our Video Gallery. Interested in buying multiple units from developers or banks? Be sure to visit the Condo Vultures® Bulk Deals Database. Our new books, the Official Condo Buyers Guide to Miami™ and Miami's Great Condo Crash: A Chronicle of the Boom and Bust™ are now available. Want to see every foreclosure filed in South Florida since 2007? Check out our Foreclosure Database™.
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Showing posts with label chinese drywall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chinese drywall. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Chinese Drywall Impact 'Huge' On Florida Valuations
BY ERIK BOJNANSKY
Special Correspondent
CondoVultures.com
Eight months ago, hardly anyone knew or cared about Chinese drywall. And eight months later, the full impact of this imported building material that has been blamed for metal corrosion, electrical mishaps and health problems is still unknown, according to CondoVultures.com.
Most agree, however, that Chinese drywall will have a huge negative impact on South Florida's already troubled real estate market and any home built with significant amounts of it may be worthless.
"It's a huge problem," said Randall Jimenez, owner of Under Pressure Home Services, a Fort Lauderdale company that cleans up and manages foreclosed homes for banks. "No one has real answers to this problem and no one wants to say anything yet."
The true number of homes constructed with Chinese drywall remains uncertain but estimates suggest that between 35,000 and 100,000 homes and commercial properties across the United States, Canada and the Bahamas were made from this material.
The adverse affects of Chinese drywall was first discovered in homes located within the Sunshine State in January 2009.
Colson Hicks Eidson attorney Elvin Gonzalez, who has been representing hundreds of clients with drywall problems, suspects there may be 35,000 homes infected in Florida alone with large pockets in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
"Broward is very, very hard hit," Gonzalez said.
Read More
Special Correspondent
CondoVultures.com
Eight months ago, hardly anyone knew or cared about Chinese drywall. And eight months later, the full impact of this imported building material that has been blamed for metal corrosion, electrical mishaps and health problems is still unknown, according to CondoVultures.com.
Most agree, however, that Chinese drywall will have a huge negative impact on South Florida's already troubled real estate market and any home built with significant amounts of it may be worthless.
"It's a huge problem," said Randall Jimenez, owner of Under Pressure Home Services, a Fort Lauderdale company that cleans up and manages foreclosed homes for banks. "No one has real answers to this problem and no one wants to say anything yet."
The true number of homes constructed with Chinese drywall remains uncertain but estimates suggest that between 35,000 and 100,000 homes and commercial properties across the United States, Canada and the Bahamas were made from this material.
The adverse affects of Chinese drywall was first discovered in homes located within the Sunshine State in January 2009.
Colson Hicks Eidson attorney Elvin Gonzalez, who has been representing hundreds of clients with drywall problems, suspects there may be 35,000 homes infected in Florida alone with large pockets in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
"Broward is very, very hard hit," Gonzalez said.
Read More
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