House across the street

[Deleted]

Half gossip/half question. The house across the street was owned by our REA. He and his partner had lived there for years when we purchased. About a year after we moved in, their relationship went down in flames (which played out on the neighborhood e-mail list in a way that would have been hilarious if I didn't know the people involved). After that they and several family members sort of traded off who lived there. Then last year everyone moved out and left it empty.

A few weeks ago a notice went up that it was being auctioned on 6/1. We were gone on vacation on 6/1, so I'm not sure what went on here, but everything seems empty and untouched still. We and a few other neighbors have been keeping up some of the landscaping just to deter squatters/crime. One of our neighbors just e-mailed the neighborhood list and said every time he goes out in his yard, a different REA stops to ask what's going on with it. Is that a good sign? Any wild speculation about what might be going on (with the total lack of info I'm able to provide)? I wonder if the REA interest means the market here is showing some signs of life. Or maybe they're just nosey vultures.

Anyway, I'm sick of living across from a vacant house. I want another nice, youngish drinking-buddy couple to move in!

[floridakat]

Can you check on a site like Zillow to see what the status of the house is? Maybe your local tax collector's site?

[Deleted]

Good idea. Wonder how up-to-date Zillow is. Just please God don't let it be a rental!

ETA: No luck with Zillow, it just lists the 2004 sale as most recent. I wonder if they somehow avoided the auction?

[floridakat]

Yeah, if they were in arrears on HOA fees or taxes or something, they might have gotten that cleared up in time to avoid the auction.

[kellygordon]

Its hard to track down these things but you can if your determined. Like, check the tax balance if paid or not, the auction company. With this little info it way more difficult to give advice.

[Deleted]

No HOA so that's not an option. Boo. I'm pretty sure it was the bank. I do know they had all sorts of exotic financing going on, so maybe that blew up on them. There are so many things that could happen over there, so it's feeling like our chances of getting really kind, responsible homeowners over there is sort of slim They were both really good REAs, still selling high-end properties, so I'm surprised they haven't tried to market it at all.