Late yesterday afternoon I received a call from an eviction attorney we work with. They’d received “four messages in the last 24 hours” from a lawyer representing a client that occupies a home we purchased in last month’s Detroit tax auction. I left a note at the house just after we won the auction. I simply stated I was the new owner and would be happy to try and work something out for them to stay if they wished. My name and phone number were included.
I didn’t hear anything for two weeks, so we filed a 30-day termination of tenancy giving the occupants 30-days to move out before court action. That 30-day period expires on December 2nd.
I didn’t hear anything… until yesterday.
The lawyer had a sob story about how the occupants have lived there for 39 years, went through divorce, got scammed by someone claiming to help her purchase the home at auction, etc. While I sympathize, I ultimately don’t care anymore. Everyone has a story.
Still, I was willing to work with them. The lawyer asked if we’d be willing to sell the house back to her. That’s a hard no, because we purchased the house with the intent of keeping it for at least 10 years (likely longer). I told her we’d consider signing a lease and allowing the occupant to rent, but I quickly realized that was likely not going to happen when she asked if we’d consider “$400 or $450” for rent.
I literally laughed out loud.
I told her we’d consider it at $800. But the reality is this person hadn’t paid her property taxes for years. I don’t know how long Detroit let’s people go without paying, but I know it’s 3+ years. How would she afford to rent the house if she wasn’t paying her ~$1,000/year in property tax?
The lawyer said she’d “call me right back” because the occupant was blowing up her phone. It was hours later before I heard from her again, and she simply said she felt that this was outside her expertise and she was terminating her representation of the occupant.
Yes, it’s Thanksgiving. Yes, it sucks to be getting kicked out of your house this time of year, especially after living there for 39 years. And I almost feel bad. But I remind myself that I didn’t put the current occupant in this position, and I made every effort to try and work with her.
It hasn’t been 6-7 weeks (when I first wrote my note) that they were aware they were losing their house. They’ve known this day was coming for at least a year, but really more.
It seems every day is an adventure in the real estate business, and I love that about it.
Happy Thanksgiving.