1626 Ionia: It's Coming Down, maybe, maybe not.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Sure, there were "flippers" and all sorts of "evil-doers", and yet, the unintended consequences of forcing homeowners hands is spectacularly destructive.

I would assume therein lies the problem - When notices are served the ones to respond are probably the homeowners and the investors actually trying to fix their property.  The 'flippers' and slumlords wouldn't be around to either a)get the notice or b)care that there are issues because they were never planning on fixing it up anyhow - hang on and wait for the market to turn. 

So the enforcement group goes after whomever it can, which are exactly the same people that they should be trying to assist instead of tear down.

[CS Foltz]

Maybe the moratorium will put a halt to this wanton destruction!

[peestandingup]

Well, what (almost) everyone would have preferred is to have these houses fixed up.  I believe the rationale behind the rolling fines was to "encourage" this.  Unfortunately this came about the same time as the economy rolled over and played dead.

So now, threatening people with economic hardship seems redundant.

Therein lies the problem. These fining systems were in place when things were good, so they're not going to work now. Its a whole nother ball game.

It's like, wow, here's another fine. Guess I wont be paying that one either. Oh, you say you're gonna turn it over to some collection agency & it'll tarnish my credit?? Yeah, my credit's already pretty much screwed, so go for it.

So see the problem. Its useless to threaten with these frivolous things when most people now are just trying to stay outta the poor house & provide for their families. There has to be another method & the city has to be behind it. Stop these stupid fines that'll never get paid.

[rainfrog]

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, now is actually a better time than any other in nearly a decade to buy in Springfield. Don't be turned off, the B.S. is grinding to a halt and is being replaced with caring neighbors.

Amen!

This house, for example, could be had for a very reasonable price (I think 40k).  It has a basement apartment and a carriage house.  Were it my project, I would fix up the carriage house and move in, fix up the basement apartment and rent it, gather up my pennies and restore the main house.  Move into the main house and rent out the carriage house.

A place to live and two rentals.  A gorgeous lot with off street parking.  Little risk of fire b/c of the block construction, easy to paint and maintain. 

And one of the grandest old ladies in Springfield.

Amen to the Amen! I would totally rent there. I'm not the buying type, but I would love to be a tenant of such a spot. Plus I'm very reliable, low-key, and considerate, and would be happy to be part of a neighborhood like Springfield! (Hint, hint to anyone who'd fix it up) 

[buckethead]

Its a whole nother ball game.

Not to be the spelling nazi, but it's "A whole n-u-t-h-e-r ball game".

[peestandingup]

Its a whole nother ball game.

Not to be the spelling nazi, but it's "A whole n-u-t-h-e-r ball game".

Your spelling nazism needs work: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nother?show=0&t=1286145412

[buckethead]

 

[peestandingup]

  

[sheclown]

I just returned from the Special Masters hearing on this property.  

Jim, the homeowner, has been given 90 days to find a buyer.  In 90 days he will have to reappear before the Special Master and show a contract or discuss a "Plan B."

I spoke to the Special Master about this house, its importance to the neighborhood, its special architectural features and our ongoing mothballing efforts.  I read an email to him from Nicole which stated Preservation SOS's dedication to helping Jim and this house as advocates and resources.  Nicole also mentioned our optimism for a future condemned structure policy.

A longtime Springfield business owner (who has been reading this thread) came to show her support this morning as well.

I feel optimistic about Jim's house.  

[peestandingup]

Is there some kind of special financing the city or SPAR (or whoever) could maybe offer a potential owner??

I almost feel that where its so hard to get financing nowadays, even on just "normal" properties, that'll it'll be almost impossible for an average person to buy this without either a lump sum of cash or special financing.

[sheclown]

SPAR has not been involved in preservation -- unless they are doing something lately, and there hasn't been anything about it on any information they have put out to the general public.

As far as the city goes, there are programs they could institute.  Step one, though, would be to remove the "stick" and then we can talk about "carrots."

[iloveionia]

SPAR has not been involved in preservation -- unless they are doing something lately, and there hasn't been anything about it on any information they have put out to the general public.

As far as the city goes, there are programs they could institute.  Step one, though, would be to remove the "stick" and then we can talk about "carrots."

Agree.

I believe these loans are still available:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/203k/203kabou.cfm

[strider]

Many of the houses in Springfield were done with 203K s.  The houses we are talking about fit perfectly into these types of loans. It is also good to remember that construction costs have also dropped the last few years so doing these houses is more affordable than many would think. The local Springfield Realtor or even your personal banker can help anyone interested with these programs.

[Springfield Chicken]

Even though our house was not an old house, it had been neglected and vandalized and needed a good bit of work, including repairs from fire damage and termites.  We were able to roll all of it into our mortgage in a 203K FHA loan.  Wells Fargo has an awesome program that will lend up to 110% of appraised value of what the home is worth AFTER the repairs.  If anyone needs a contact person there, let me know!

[iloveionia]

Jim's property at 1626 Ionia will be completed this week (boarded and secured.)  The owner in partnership with SOS has been working on cleaning out the basement, but time and ill health has not permitted him to move very fast, that said, she'll be clean, safe, and secure this week, as SOS will "get 'er done."