Bob Logue

ABANDONED PROPERTIES:

STOP believes high property taxes, absentee landlords and predatory lending are all major contributors to the ever-increasing number of abandoned properties in our communities throughout Pennsylvania. In Philadelphia roughly 10% of all homes and lots are abandoned. Pittsburgh has an average of 350 newly abandoned properties every year. While it is often looked upon as an urban problem, there are many abandoned homes and properties in suburban and rural Pennsylvania. The STOP legislation can help reverse this blight and rebuild our communities.

According to the Federal National Mortgage Administration's Fannie Mae Foundation, the impact of abandoned properties is much greater than most people realize. Read carefully through this material, and comprehend the impact for yourself:

(Quote from Fannie Mae Foundation:) "Of all of the conditions that adversely affect neighborhoods, abandoned properties may be the most destructive, because they exacerbate many of the other problems communities face, including:

Decreasing property values. The presence of abandoned properties in a neighborhood significantly affects the value of the remaining properties. A Philadelphia study found that the presence of one abandoned property on a block reduced the value of the other properties on the block by nearly $6,500 each. (emphasis added)

Increasing public safety concerns. Abandoned properties often become venues for a wide range of criminal activity, including prostitution and drug trafficking. They increase the risk of fire, particularly hazardous in high-density urban areas where fires can spread quickly to nearby buildings. The National Fire Protection Agency reports that, in 1999, an estimated 11,400 structure fires in vacant properties caused 24 civilian deaths, 66 civilian injuries, and $131.5 million in direct property damage.

Jeopardizing public health. Vacant properties create opportunities for infestation by rats and vermin, and can becomedumping grounds for construction debris and garbage. Abandoned industrial sites may create further health hazards byexposing neighbors to environmental contamination and toxic materials.

Draining municipal finances. Abandoned properties impose a massive fiscal burden on local taxpayers. Over the past five years, the City of St. Louis has spent $15.5 million, or nearly $100 per household, to demolish vacant buildings. Detroit spends an average of $800,000 per year just to clean vacant lots." (End Quote.)

Visitor Comments:

Robert Lardin says :
How a Property Sale Happens. then it get's worse read all.

Judicial Sale December 5, 2005 No. 60003 of 2005 Ohioville Boro Lots 10 11 S PL MH GR
Book/Page 1692/439

Pursuant to Sections 610 and 612 of the Pennsylvania Real Estate Tax Sale Law.

I was not notified by the Sheriffs office as stated. When I notified Mr Coleman Tax Office. I was told where were you for the past three years. The deputy that was to serve me listed the property as abandoned. I also notified the representative sent by the Attorney's purchasing group that I was never notified.

As an interested party the writ of no return was made violated. 1094 & 1088.5 The writ did not raise as much a question of law as one affecting my rights under the law to proper notification. Also it precluded me taking such actions as filing for a chapter 7 or 13.

Other questions have now risen because of these actions.

The sheriff’s office dereliction of duty to a resident of 37 years the same address. All utilities still on, and furniture and live animals on the porch.

Mr Colman’s not pulling the sale until proper notification was made and my rites being protected.

Attorney purchasing group's involvement in a sale that raises questions as to why the Sections of the Real Estate Tax Sale Law was ignored. Since this section is to protect the individual.

I am disabled and living on a disability income of $1200 per month for Medical co-payments and food and medicine. The Attorney's Partnership told me I could continue to live here for $500 a month, that is with no water. A further violation of the tenants land lords laws. I gave them a $100. Which I found out I should not have.

They then wanted me to sign a quick claim deed for a dollar giving them the property free and clear. I would still not be able to move and be required to wait for the Sheriff To evict me onto the street.

So for $1,182 my home of 37 years is gone and I am now homeless. All done by ignoring the Law’s of the state set up to protect me from such actions. I wonder just how many others in this county have been treated this way. Is there a class action suit here?

Myself I have had extreme pain and suffering added to my condition at a time when I don’t need it. I am currently being checked out for Thyroid cancer. The mental anguish for trying to find a way to move to a new home come up with a deposit and the finances to move. If I was afforded the same consideration as Tobro I would have sold the place myself paid some of my medical bills off and relocated without all of this. Right now all I want is out of Beaver County and out of the State.

Now the other side of the story! Last evening the Sherifs office that could not locate me before and listed my property as abondoned. Showed up at my door step and served me with papers stating I was being sued by the Attorney's office for the deed to the property. Carpet bagging brought to a new level. Civil Action - Law No. 10505 of 2006 Action to a Quiet Title. I go the 28th for more tests for cancer.
Anonymous says :
Talk about abandoned properties..... Search "city of pittsburgh" on the Allegheny Copunty website. Pages, and pages, resulting in HUNDREDS of properties the city owns, most of them vacant, open, and vandalized!

DRUG HOUSES, BURNED HOUSES, CONDEMNED HOUSES, HOUSES THAT ARE BLIGHTED AND ATTRACTING CRIMINALS!

The city needs to unload these properties at sheriff sale NOW! For whatever price they fetch. And get them back on the TAX ROLES!

This is probably why the city has a junk bond rating! They're probably borrowing against the equity on sh*tty city owned real estate, I wish the auditor general would take a look at the books... oh, and the URA's books too!


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