Sarasota County Housing Development - Sarasota, Florida

Leslie M

Months after being approved for the loan for home improvements and right before the contractors were getting ready to start the work, a lead paint testing company contacted me to set up a time to “test “ my house for lead based paint both inside and outside the house. When I questioned the need for this since all of the work was being done outside the house (new roof and air conditioner) and that I had not been informed about this during the loan approval process, I was informed that it was necessary to ensure that the contractors were “safe” when doing work on the house. After OHCD assured me there would be no cost to me as the homeowner to have the lead based paint testing done, I begrudgingly agreed. The test came back positive for lead based paint. My house was built in 1957. OHCD then informed me I would have to pay thousands of dollars to have the house painted to “encase “ the lead paint before the contractors could proceed. I ended up canceling the loan and could not proceed with the work on the house. To add insult to injury, I was charged $690 for the lead based paint inspection. Homeowners BEWARE of the hidden costs if you are thinking about getting a home improvement loan through OHCD.

Lei

Good program, ,Very poor customer service.
Kurt Roberson, who initiates inspections , before and after septic replacement, was VERY rude to me ( A US veteran ,with PTSD) something that I did mention to him.

I was hung up on by this person and , when he came to my home to do the FINAL OUTSIDE inspection, he came to my door with paperwork he knew i signed already, handed me pen to open myself, and then said 'oh, looks like you signed already'(pretty sure he knew that already, he was trying to see my reaction which was beyond rude) .. he also asked me if grass was put in, even though he could clearly see there was no grass, and then said he would see if he could get grass after checking contingency, but I never heard anything from him again after .
He also didn't greet me back after I said 'Good Morning' to him once i opened the door

For lack of better words, I'm not sure why he's dealing with people in the field, when he's clearly not a people person or respectful of what other people may be going through.

Very displeased by the lack of professionalism

Overall, the processes that this team has makes it a little harder and less of a smooth transaction, as i tried to get an old septic from 1950s replaced in my home.

Betty Dailey

Everyone I've been in touch with has been so great! They go out of their way to help you and inform you of what's going on the whole process!

Aqua Grip