[fatnotlazy]

We have plenty of houses in this neighborhood that look like that one. Fire damage or maybe a Section 8 house that the ferals trashed. Weeds everywhere. Trouble is that the borough where I live is perennially near bankruptcy. No money to force the owners to fix or demolish the homes, or for the borough to demolish the houses itself.

[bigbob]

Same everywhere I think. As an alternative to prison for some offenders, I’d like to see them trained to operate heavy equipment and put to work doing demolition work. If they screw up, they get to break rocks in the hot sun instead.

[cripplecreek]

Notice the “No Cut” painted on the front. The city doesn’t want the neighbors to cut the grass. I’m guessing they’re afraid of losing federal blight reduction funding if the grass is mowed.

Lots of other decent houses in the neighborhood. If I were mayor I would encourage the neighbors to cut at least the front lawns of those houses. I would even encourage the neighbors to tear those places down if they wish with a two way waiver of responsibility. The city wouldn’t be liable if someone is hurt tearing it down and the person tearing it down isn’t responsible for back taxes. I would offer the vacant lots to retirees as part of their settlement as long as they pay taxes going forward and keep them up.

[cripplecreek]

The house next to me has been empty for nearly 15 years aside from about 6 months total but its owned and cared for. Grass is tall but the place is otherwise fine lakefront property. I just took the photo a few minutes ago.



On the other hand, things can go south very quickly. The next house over from the one pictured had a family living in it two months ago and had been there for nearly 20 years.

They were apparently struggling with the payments already then they suddenly had to replace a septic tank and drain field. Then they had a fire in the garage. The bank foreclosed and they're gone.