Neighbors demand action at fire-damaged home in The Villages

Neighbors are angry over the lack of action at a fire-damaged home in The Villages.

The Community Development District 9 Board of Supervisors on Thursday heard from frustrated residents upset about the apparent inaction at a burned-out home at 3292 Sylewood Ave. in the Village of Charlotte. The board met at SeaBreeze Recreation Center with numerous residents from the neighborhood in attendance.

The home was heavily damaged by fire in December 2023. The owner sold the damaged home to Investworks Solutions LLC of Windemere. Very little work has been done at the home since the fire, according to neighbors.

“We are being asked to maintain our properties. This is harming our property values. The property is not secured. We are lucky we don’t have squatters or animals in there. We keep up our properties. Our lawns are mowed. Our bushes are trimmed. But with this house, nothing is being done,” said Linda Komar, who lives nearby.

Investworks Solutions LLC has already been found in violation of the deed restriction and is being fined $50 per day. However, the fines have not prompted any action.

“This has been going on for far too long. Fifty dollars a day doesn’t cut it. This guy doesn’t care,” said neighbor David Magestro.

After hearing from residents, the board agreed to direct counsel to file a lawsuit against the homeowner in an effort to force him to bring the home into compliance by repairing the fire damage.

The 5-0 vote by the board prompted a round of applause from the audience.