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Last updated 7:41 am CT February 09, 2010.
Foreclosures Create Headaches for Neighbors, City
Those foreclosures can create headaches for the whole community.
A neighbor has been doing some of the lawn work at the foreclosed home in the 1200 block of Trout Street in Johnston City.
"I just keep cutting further and further [into the property] because it's growing up and I'm starting to worry about snakes," said Mike Brown.
Despite his efforts, the yard is still a mess and others have logged complaints with Mayor Ryan Horn.
Horn is accustomed to getting the calls. He's also used to getting no response to his complaints.
"We do have a lot of [foreclosed] houses and unfortunately the worst ones are like this one. The owners are usually out of the area or out of the state," Horn said.
Court documents show that Wells Fargo--which is based in Texas--has taken over the deed to the house. The city has given the company until the end of the month to clean up the property.
If it's not cleaned up by then, officials will put a lien on the house and they'll legally be able to clean things up. They'll also be stuck with the clean-up bill.
"We will fine the owners of this property $500 if we have to do the mowing," Horn said. "But often times when there are foreclosures like this it's kind of like trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip."
Horn says he doesn't expect the company to pay the fines, strapping the city with the house and ultimately demolition and auction fees.
Coldwell Banker realtor Cheryl Winters says that's not always the case with mortgage companies.
"Once the bank gets control [of the property] they normally keep it up very well," Winters said.
Once the mortgage company hires a realtor, the agency is in charge of upkeep.
"We turn the power on, if there's trash, we do trash out, we keep the lawn mowed."
That's no comfort for residents of Johnston City. Horn says road crews will be taken off-task to clean up the mess.
Neighbors like Brown expect to pay for that.
"It's just lovely," he said sarcastically. "Our taxes will probably go up a little higher because Johnston City is spending the money."
By Dana Jay
djay@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265724593
