So we all know the City of Cleveland demolishes homes. Since the foreclosure mess the number of homes has increased a lot yes? I had the pleasure of being the agent for a client under contract to purchase a bank owned home. It was supposed to close at the end of January.
Last week, the listing agent for the bank went to the property and lo and behold, it wasn’t there anymore. The City of Cleveland had demolished it.
My client signed off on all the city violations and said he would rehabilitate it properly. It’s a gorgeous location and he was most excited about sprucing up the house and making it fit in with the neighborhood.
Imagine my surprise when I heard the listing agent on the other end of my cell phone (sounding like a deer in headlights) saying ‘you know that house on ________? Well it’s not there anymore!’ lol See what I mean, it’s never dull in real estate.
Okay two things, first, regarding demolition. When a home is inspected by the city and the city (cleveland) condemns it, the owner is sent a letter and a list of violations. We (my buyer and I and the listing agent) got the list of violations in this case. But the bank neglected to let any of us know they had a deadline (which came and went in December) by which the repairs had to be made. They sure did a speedy job of demolition. Just a tip for all of you, if you happen to get this notice from the City, make sure you talk with them and understand the deadlines.
Secondly, the title of my post relates to an article in today’s PD about new method of deconstructing a home instead of demolishing it.
The article and info is interesting regardless of my tale. Supposedly, by deconstructing (taking roof off and working wall by wall) the City saved a lot of time and money per house on the entire project.
My client is trying to decide now if the location warrants his purchase anyway, just for the land. Like I said, never dull! Peace Out – 3C
4 responses so far ↓
1 Elaine Reese // Jan 4, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Well, now that’s a new one! That must have been a fun call to receive. Or worse yet, to be the one having to MAKE the call to say the home no longer exists. Just when you think you’ve heard it all in this funny business, there’s a new story.
Elaine Reeses last blog post..A look back in order to look to the future
2 Carole Cohen // Jan 4, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Elaine I really felt for the listing agent! Happy New Year!
3 lmcshane // Jan 17, 2009 at 6:27 am
Carole, where was this house located? You don’t think that this is suspicious? Why the rush to demolish? Which Ward? Who is the councilperson?
lmcshanes last blog post..RONN RICHARD – STRICKLAND’S OHIO INFRASTRUCTURE CZAR?
4 Carole Cohen // Jan 17, 2009 at 6:40 pm
Hi lmcshane. I was impressed with the speed with which it happened, yes. But the neighbors were all telling my client, everytime he was there, that he was ‘never going to rehab this house.’ So I have a feeling the block group, organized or otherwise, had some pull. It’s also true that the owner of the house is one of the two banks with an injunction (by city of cleveland) against them due to the number of foreclosures they now own. So it was not surprising, the speed, once I got over the initial surprise.
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