A Nightmarish Property Purchase in Fort Lauderdale
A Dream Turned Nightmare
What seemed like a great investment opportunity in South Florida’s hot real estate market has turned out to be a $350,000 nightmare for a couple. Hani Levy, the buyer, shared the listing for the property, which was being sold as a vacant lot for "new construction, build to suit residential." The Levy couple purchased the property in September 2023, hoping to develop two to three homes.
A Critical Omission
However, there was a problem that no one told Hani and her husband about – the road leading to the property is not public. In other words, they don’t have a way to access their own lot. The lot is located at 2950 SW 17th Place, which belongs to the properties with homes on the other side of the narrow roadway.
A Legal Access Issue
Hani discovered that the lot is landlocked, with no access to the public street on SW 30th Terrace. "I found out that I don’t actually have a legal access to this road," she said. This means that all their dreams are out the window.
A Lawsuit
In February, the couple filed a lawsuit against the seller and real estate agent, alleging they failed to disclose "critical limitations, specifically the lack of road access…" that would prevent development. "I do think that huge piece of information was hidden from me," Hani said.
The Other Side’s Denial
The attorney representing the seller and real estate agent denied all claims made in the lawsuit.
The City’s Take
The city’s Development Services Department provided a statement, saying that before the purchase, they provided general information about the property’s zoning district. The city stated that it is up to the buyer to use this information to make a final decision. They also mentioned that the buyer was provided with feedback on the obstacles to development and potential solutions to overcome them.
A Long shot Solution
Hani and her husband have negotiated with a neighbor to add a strip of land to their lot, which now reaches the public street. They hope this will give them the green light to build. "We still don’t have a clear answer with the city if they are happy," Hani said.
Concerns from the Neighbors
Some neighbors expressed concerns that new construction on the lot would put neighboring properties at greater risk of flooding, which is already a problem on their street.
Conclusion
The Levy couple’s dream of developing a property in Fort Lauderdale has turned out to be a nightmare due to a critical omission by the seller and real estate agent. The city’s stance is that the buyer should have done their due diligence, which has left the couple with a messy situation.
FAQs
Q: What is the problem with the property?
A: The property has no public access, making it impossible to build on.
Q: Why did the seller and real estate agent not disclose this information?
A: The couple claims that the information was not disclosed in a timely manner, while the seller and real estate agent deny all claims made in the lawsuit.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: The matter is undergoing litigation, with the couple seeking a refund of their purchase price.
Q: What is the city’s stance on the property?
A: The city maintains that it provided general information about the property’s zoning district and that it is up to the buyer to use this information to make a final decision.
