I wrote a story last week that has earned me some much appreciated praise from my peers, but I have to admit the whole thing left me with very mixed emotions.
It was the story of small start-up businesses that are now cashing in by cleaning up the messes left behind by the owners of foreclosed homes. One contractor told me that many times the homeowners don't even have enough money for a moving van, so they simply pack what they can fit into their cars and leave.
This particular house was quintessential Seattle -- a 1940's charmer with a view of Lake Washington and the Cascades on the back side of Capitol Hill. The property itself was lovely, but it was among the belongings left behind inside that you felt the love... and despair.
Family photos of two children, a boy and girl maybe 6 and 8 years old, their drawings and artwork taped to the walls. Stacks of unpaid bills. A note left in the kitchen reminding mom or dad to schedule an appointment with a neurologist for a "second opinion." And the note scrawled in a child's handwriting on a message board "to do" list reading "Move to Texas. But I don't want to."
One co-worker here at KING summed it up perfectly: "That house is a time capsule for what is going on all across America today." I couldn't agree more.
I must admit it felt creepy entering the home, even though I was well within my rights to do so. The family no longer owned it, and I was invited in with the permission of the new owner (the bank). Still, though, I felt like a vulture, picking over the remains of a family's dead dream. What they left behind was so personal. Medical bills, with descriptions of their procedures. Bank statements. Their Bible. I was admiring some of the artwork left behind and was told by a clean-up contractor, "Go ahead and take it. We're just going to throw it out."
I just couldn't. It felt like stealing from a tomb. I kept reminding myself that I was there to help tell the story of what millions of American's are struggling through every day.
I later learned that this particular family, though, wasn't quite so typical. As they left their home for the last time, they apparently approached homeless people in their neighborhood, inviting them to stay in the house as long as they could. (The lights and heat were still on.)
Some took them up on the offer. What's strange, however, is that while the home had surely been rummaged through, and some items stolen, it had not been trashed. Yes, the squatters had used the toilet long after the water had been shut off, but there were no holes in the walls, no mindless destruction of property. There was a sort of respect offered by people who had nothing -- to a family that was losing everything.
Surely it wasn't the wisest move to open a house (albeit vacant) to any random stranger who might wander in. It poses innumerable risks to those in the neighborhood --as evidenced the smell of smoke in the house when I entered. (We looked, but never found any signs of an actual fire.)
To me, though, it seemed like an act of beauty in the face of wanton greed by banks and mortgage brokers. An act of charity and a humble recognition of the thinning line between haves and have-nots in the new American economy.
Foreclosed Home
The home next door to me has been vacant since September 2008. New neighbor was set to sign papers to finalize the purchase of the home tomorrow. However I wake up this afternoon and the previous owner and two other neighbors, (one is a Seattle police man) are in the back yard removing trees and other plants. I walk out the front door and they have removed the flagstone from the side of the driveway. The Seattle Police man even took the stainless steel dishwasher, stove and built in microwave. They also removed the center island from the kitchen.I called the police anyway to let them know of the hazing. The officers response was that it is a civil matter and they would not get involved. The bank, previous homeowner and the relators would have to resolve it privately or in court. Obviously the buyer will not be finalizing the sale tomorrow. Maybe it will be vacant another 8 months. Shame on the Seattle Police Department and the acts their off duty officers take part in. Just because a home is in foreclosure does not give an officer of the law the right to take what they want. Good luck D, at least I was home to see what was going on I am sure you can find something else in better condition. Keep looking.
Well, better for a police officer to get it,or a correctional officer to get it,atleast the hiway patrol didnt know about it,they are the greediest next to the bankers!they wont even give up 5% to help our economy,but the calif.state dept of corrections is carrying the state on their backs now,giving up 25% of their own hard earned income,so obama can keep supporting the illegals and arnold schwarzenneger needs more new suits!!