It's a strange experience to be having. I've lived in 2 continents across the Atlantic, yet this is a first. There's a home in my neighborhood which has gone into foreclosure. This is a beautiful community of manicured lawns and carefully cultivated landscapes. Neighbors walk their dogs and wave politely.
Yet, no one seems to know quite what to do with...the home. The dwelling where the weeds seem to be flourishing in a spritely manner. The once beautiful home which has become neglected even as it's former elegance still holds a grand sway across an acre of prime property.
The community observes curious onlookers coming and going. Everyone wonders. Will they buy the place? Yesterday, one of my neighbors stopped by. In the course of conversation as happens amongst acquaintences, the talk drifts towards...the home. He bemoans the fact that we all have to look at that grass. We both wish someone would just buy it and make things OK again.
Then he asks who owns it? Meaning which bank... Would they mind if someone cut the grass? I think about it for a moment... I daresay not, they're in New York and don't care much about mowed grass. In fact, my son is out there right now although it's dusk. He's mowing the lawn to get in his service hours. I'm sure the neighbors are watching quietly...I wonder what they're thinking.
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
Give your son a pat on the back for us! Way to go to keep the neighborhood looking great.
Susan
Lola~
My son is doing the same thing!!! I think you are on to something here...
neighborhood initiative collalition for excellent mowing and kindly care...NICE
Foreclosures can be an eye sore in a neighborhood so it's a great idea for the neighbors to pitch in and take care of the outside...that will probably help it sell faster too! That's really kind of your son to mow the lawn.
Lola, I spent a couple of seasons pulling weeds from my neighbors' back yards adjoining mine. They were largely absentee owners. Did I do it more for noble reasons or to keep their neglect from affecting my own property? Hard to say.
Lola, I spent a couple of seasons pulling weeds from my neighbors' back yards adjoining mine. They were largely absentee owners. Did I do it more for noble reasons or to keep their neglect from affecting my own property? Hard to say.
Unfortunately this is an all too familiar scenario in many places. We can only hope and pray that the situation will turn around soon and we can return to a healthy market, and a healthy economy. The value or grandeur (or lack thereof) of a property does not insulate it from this fate.
There have been a couple of incidents in my area where people have tried to tend to a vacant home (mowing,trashing pickup, etc) and the neighbors, well intentioned I'm sure, have called the police on them. That tends to make it so that people don't want to get involved no matter how bad it looks.