![]() ![]() Bertulis said she feels fortunate she hasn't had to resort to using liens so far. Bertulis then puts a lien on the abandoned property so the township gets its money back when the property is sold. That cost is paid for with local tax dollars. The costs of that vary with the size of the job. When the notice is ignored, Bertulis hires a private contractor to fix the problem. When a vacant property falls into disrepair in Naperville Township, Bertulis' job is to find the person responsible and hit them with a 10-day notice to cut the grass or remedy whatever problem is occurring. Such is the case in Naperville Township where Clerk Carol Bertulis is known as "The Weed Person." The problem with doing the mowing means incurring a cost that may not be repaid until much later. But the county doesn't have the resources to actually go out and mow a vacant yard if the fines don't spark action. When the county becomes aware of a unkempt, abandoned property, it can take legal steps to fine the responsible party to force compliance with the county's property maintenance standards. So far, our program has been going probably about as we expected it to." "It takes a little bit of work to find out who owns it. "The toughest time period for us is still from the time owners vacate the house and before the bank actually taking complete ownership of the property," said Kane County's Mark VanKerkhoff. That contrasts with more than 200 property maintenance complaints this year. As of the end of July, it only had about 25 dwellings registered. Kane County, for instance, just began its registration program a few months ago. Some suburban communities have a vacant property registration, but others don't. The first step is identifying a property as vacant. Feltner said communities must get better at holding lenders and servicers accountable. When a lender or loan servicer expects a big loss in completing the foreclosure process, a property can sit vacant for years in the limbo of an incomplete foreclosure. The result is a drain on the local governments through lost property taxes, as well as police and fire calls to homes that can become gang or party havens. It never became a value-draining menace despite its similar foreclosure history. The difference, Winter said, is the bank or lending company in charge of that house kept up with the mowing and maintenance even as it stood vacant. That home also stood vacant until recently. ![]() The property is even more of a neighborhood frustration because of the home that is its other, non-Winter, neighbor. ![]() "Someone is going to get hurt eventually." "It's like a manhole, but it's wide open," Winter said. The unmown grass obscures its location, making it a booby trap for all children who play in the unfenced cul-de-sac of yards. ![]() In the back yard of the abandoned home sits an uncapped well plunging at least 12 feet into the earth. But it's the hidden danger that has Winter the most upset. On the outside, weeds and other greenery hearken an environment Tarzan might enjoy. Through the windows, the interior of the home now appears to be a Petri dish of various forms of mold. Last winter, the pipes in the house burst causing flooding so rampant the fire department had to come out. Winter said the home has stood empty for about two years now. ![]()
2 Comments
9/13/2023 04:28:40 am
This article on foreclosed homes is a treasure trove of information for potential buyers. It offers valuable insights and tips for navigating the market with confidence. Thanks for sharing such a helpful resource!
Reply
10/17/2023 05:39:15 am
I've been looking for real estate, and I stumbled upon your article. I want to express my gratitude for producing such informative content; it has proven to be extremely valuable for my requirements.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |