Or maybe we will just buy this...

[bunnymendelbaum]

I know. I know. We didn't want an old house.
The location here is AMAZING. 2 blocks from new light rail. **Brick, tree-lined, pedestrian only street!**
I know someone who lives across the street and they let me know these ppl would be selling.
$180-200k likely. 3BR 2.5 bath, AC, finished walk-up attic. 2,100sf
Street:



They say it on a double lot, but in actually, it is not. The don't own all the property. It is on a corner with a triangular lot next to it that they use (it is fenced as part of their property.) In a perfect world, we buy this house and then somehow buy the triangle lot to build our own modern house on it. Issue is, the lot isn't even shown as a lot on the GIS. It is just blank. (see below) How in the world would we go about buying that? Call the city development office?? (I will talk to the ppl selling it to see what info they have.)
I drew the black line. That is the part that is fenced as part of their lot. The part they own is .14 acres and I bet this additional is another .15 at least?
Actually, let me add that image in the next post.

[bunnymendelbaum]

Lot: with side "lot".

[mrspez07]

That triangle might be part of the road Right of way, that's why it doesn't show as it's own parcel (at least that's what I've typically seen).

[bunnymendelbaum]

Jan 27, 2015 12:31:49 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

That triangle might be part of the road Right of way, that's why it doesn't show as it's own parcel (at least that's what I've typically seen).

That is a good point. I think these roads were reconfigured in the last ~10 years to have 3rd St. bend like that. The triangle part is separated from the road with a really nice brick and steel fence (city-owned, the house owners didn't put it up). It would be interesting to figure out if the city would want to give up legal control of it. I'm hoping the house owners know more. I think we are going to go see the house this soon.

Pallister is the pedestrian street, and the alley behind the house is a dead end and it looks like they don't even own their driveway. Some lot weirdness going on here.

[treedimensional]

OMG. I want to come over and work in your yard. Buy.

[mrs.jacinthe]

That's marvelous. Buy it.

(There's a theme of enthusiasm here - I *really* want you guys to get into a new house.)

[policegirl402]

This house is better than the one you posted yesterday!! Lol! Looks like it has potential.

[adhdfashion]

I really like that house. Thumbs up

[lb2006]

You could have someone who has access to MLS (or Detroit's equivalent) look up the address & tax record info on it. It would provide a lot of info you may need. Gorgeous!

[downtoearth]

That is really cute. I know you don't want an older house and would like a more modern feel, but it would be hard to pass something like this up. Maybe you could settle here for 10 years and then move or build after that if this area is going to stay desirable.

[moolarkey]

I want that old house.

[moolarkey]

Zillows map for that area shows the streets a little differently, not sure which is current - your map or zillow

[magdala]

You should be able to go the City Assessor's office with the address and find out what the status is of the triangle lot. Generally, they can tell you who actually owns the lot. Some of the cities have put their assessor's office data online. I would try an online search first and they go to City Hall.

[bunnymendelbaum]

I looked up the deed on the GIS and it doesn't look like they have any real legal right to that adjacent property. I asked some ppl I know (sometimes I love being an architect!) and it seems like we might be able to file to buy it through the cities "surplus" properties process.

[darkling_glory]

Jan 27, 2015 12:31:49 GMT -5 mrspez07 said:

That triangle might be part of the road Right of way, that's why it doesn't show as it's own parcel (at least that's what I've typically seen).

Yeah, that looks like dedicated land to me. Bummer.

[Marmee]

Do it!!

[finally]

That's very nice and the neighborhood sounds fantastic!  No matter what you buy, I am sure you and your H will make it into your own spectacular home!!!

[Deleted]

That is really quite picturesque. My great aunt and uncle owned a place that looks similar to that in a small town in Alabama. At some point it was converted to apartments and they had a number of long term renters over the years. They are both gone and I miss going to that house.

[TBM]

Jan 27, 2015 12:12:22 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

I know. I know. We didn't want an old house.



... In a perfect world, we buy this house and then somehow buy the triangle lot to build our own modern house on it.

That is a lot of money to spend on a house that isn't what you want, even if it is a great house.

I think you need to be more patient (or maybe pushier) and wait for the right house or right lot.  It will be worth the wait and you will have more money to put towards it. 

[bunnymendelbaum]

Jan 27, 2015 18:27:50 GMT -5 TBM said:

Jan 27, 2015 12:12:22 GMT -5 bunnymendelbaum said:

I know. I know. We didn't want an old house.



... In a perfect world, we buy this house and then somehow buy the triangle lot to build our own modern house on it.

That is a lot of money to spend on a house that isn't what you want, even if it is a great house.

I think you need to be more patient (or maybe pushier) and wait for the right house or right lot.  It will be worth the wait and you will have more money to put towards it. 

DH and I talked about just that. If it is just the house with no agreement on the triangle lot with no viable way to build on it (and then sell the big house), we will likely pass.

[pitterwoo]

I really like it and the quiet street! It makes sense to pass though if you can't really get what you want. Still really interesting

[bunnymendelbaum]

I just heard back from the owner, she doesn't understand what I mean about owning the side lot, which makes me think they has no idea what they own. We are still going to go see it.