Why I haven't been around....So much for supporting our troops!

[Sonoran Silkies]

In all of your correspondance from the city--have they ever stated why the house has been condemned? Is it actually stated that it is because of its condition or is it possibly part of an overall condemnation for some public purpose?

I feel like we're missing half the story, and likely you are as well. File a freedom of information act to find out everything that has been discussed or written about the house for the last 5 years (I'm making a grab at a timeframe--go back long before any issue could possibly have arisen).

Ask for copies of city council agendas and meeting minutes for the last 2 years--as above, figure the timeframe to encompass all possible relavant dates/occurrences.

Search county records for title changes in the neighborhood over the same timeframe. Find out if any other homes nearby have been threatened with demo/condemnation. Talk to the neighbors to see if they have any idea what is going on.

Contact a realtor--I find it extremely hard to believe that a title cannot be changed because a home is in the process of condemnation--I would expect that such a thing is common! And find a realtor from near your home, not from that city; you probably do need someone in the same state.

Are taxes paid in full? Is there a mortgage on the property? Consider creating and putting the property in a family trust rather than your son's name--just be sure to list him in the trust.

 

[Dancing]

OMGOSH I had totally forgotten about the Freedom of information act! That will be a HUGE help! I'll have to do some research to see just how to word such a demand letter and what info I am entitled to receive.

The taxes are current on the house. The law here is they can make no moves on the house due to property taxes unless the taxes are more than three years behind. The house is totally paid for, no mortgage.

I've talked to 6 of the neighbors living on the street (there are 15 houses on the block, two besides mine that are empty and up for sale or rent) and they are all as baffled as I am. There was one house across the street that the city already demo'd. But well, it was a little shotgun house, the roof was caving in on it and it had been totally abandoned, owner moving out of state several years earlier and walking away from it. (with a new roof, that house was worth about $25,000, maybe, it was tiny on a tiny lot)

4 years ago, before the real estate colapse, my house (this house) was worth approximately $130,000. (based on surround properties and local market) Now, with the economy, probably only about $100,000.

I have so much work ahead of me!

I thank everyone for your support and suggestions and welcome it all. It is very overwhelming for me.

Oh, the house is in Leavenworth, KS.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

http://www.municode.com/resources/gateway.asp?pid=11145&sid=16

http://www.lvks.org/department/division.asp?fDD=2-160

http://www.lvks.org/department/division.asp?fDD=15-86

http://www.marc.org/loanprogram/

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

I haven't read this thread all the way through, but I read the OP and I have to say that if you lived in the town where I grew up... that house would probably be in a better shape than the mayor's house!

But, in all seriousness, I will be praying for you and your family as you go through this mess, which you shouldn't have to go through in the first place. If that house is structrually sound, then they have no right to condemn it. It looks like a cute house- and if I were you, I would contact a lawyer if they do not remove it from the list. Obviously they are keeping something from you.
And about your son, I can not believe the lack of respect some people in this country have for the military men/women that are serving or the vets that have already fought for our freedom. They do not get treated nearly the way they should.
If I were you, when you go to the comittee meeting, I would remind them, that it is because of your son, and the many others like him, that they think they have the right to condemn this house in the first place!
God bless you, your family, and your son for doing what he does so we can do what we do. And I will keep you and yours in my thoughts and prayers

 

[WingingIt]

There are legal proceedings that have to take place before a home can be condemned and removed. They would have had to send you certified letters detailing the issues and deadlines to be repaired by or XXXX consequences would happen. If I'm reading this right, you are the legal owners so that would have all come to you. Did you get any of it? Is your mail/contact information for this property updated at the tax office (where they would have most likely gotten it from)?

If they did follow procedure and for some reason it slid by you, you need to get a lawyer and FAST. If they didn't notify you a lawyer would still be your best bet but the media stories along with you asking them to provide proof would be a good start.

We're a military family and let me tell you, a LOT of 'military' towns only exist because of the bases nearby and they LOVE the money they provide, but don't care about much else. Unfortunately, if his name isn't on the deed anywhere and there is no lease with his name on it, you might as well just leave his name and info. out of any conversations because legally that doesn't matter one bit. JAG, chain of command, etc. can't help if his name is nowhere attached to this property in any way.

I'd start by forcing them to prove they followed the law (find out ahead of time what notifications are required there) and if they didn't - they shouldn't be able to hold you to any of it. By the time they'd consider starting over, you've got it all fixed up nice as new!

I can only see them saying clean out the shed if they've already seized it. Otherwise, it's your property and you can have your stuff there! Idiots, they are!

Good luck!

 

[australorpchick]

I don't have any more advice to give other than what others have already stated. It sure does sound like someone on the committee wants your land. Prayers said for you and your family.

 

[Dancing]

Hopeful update...

We talked to the mayor (I was surprised, SHE is younger than me!) and she said that 99% of the time they "go with staff recommendations".

The "staff" in this case would be a guy named Roger. Roger called my hubby and said the house looks great and it will be his recommendation to NOT demo the house!

We still don't know when we will be on the "agenda" for this to be heard and I do plan on being there regardless but...keep your fingers crossed!!!

 

[CHICKEN little 1]

There's nothing wrong with the house.

Might contact the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for some kind of support. They may be able to help.

DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!

 

[jjdward]

This may be wrong of me t say, but if this were me, I would be in jail for assualt!! This is just crazy!!! What does it matter if the home is not lived in? If it is up to code, then who can tell you what to do with it? If this turns out to be some kind of fishy dealings with the local gov't, then I would do everything in my power to see that the person(s) that are involved never held office again. I'm so mad and I live in Georgia!!!! Good luck and God Bless!

 

[Greg Richardson]

If I was in your shoes I really wouldn't care what the Mayor or Roger says.

I'd DEMAND all documents that started this process in the first place.
I'd take those docs to a Lawyer.

These people took time away from your life. You can't get that back.

The people who did this need to be removed not tomorrow, but today.

Worse thing you can do is just find out everything is OK and go on with your life.

It is these types of money hungry power tripping control freaks who obviously wanted to see how far they could push you in order to take control for personal gain.

I'll keep my money, guns, all the rest can keep their change.

From the top on down to people in small towns they keep doing things to destroy the constitution.

Taxes were paid up they had no right to start these proceedings.

Unless you lived in a Homeowners Association where you signed documents stating the home has to be occupied your constitutional rights have been spit on.

A whole lot of that going on lately!