Thursday, January 4, 2018

A Real Estate Story

I learned about a notary and real estate scam, back a year or so ago, and I don't have first hand information so this entire story should be viewed as 'apocryphal'.

The owner of a house in DC died. His heirs who were out of state were a bit slow in probating the will, which had some flaw, I understand. None of this is huge, so far, but time and a half pressed on and the house was finally put on the market by DC for failure to pay taxes. It was bought through a tax sale and notarized by a fake or unregistered Notary. The person who bought at the tax sale sold to a second person who was also a fake and also using a fake notary. This latest "buyer" left a fake name and a fake address in Phoenix, AZ. Years passed. The house deteriorated so badly that the next neighbor painted the exterior and repaired a lot of it to keep it up and to avoid living next to a nightmare. You could hear the raccoons (or something) in the house and it was a haven for feral cats. In fact, DC has a provision (thanks to the cat lobby) that says homeowners who have been visited by feral cats can have established a "feral cat feeding station," and are enjoined from changing that situation to the disadvantage of the cats.  

What a mess! Coupled with the Vacant Home Act, which magnifies the taxes of houses that are deemed vacant for more than 30 days. These "Vacant" houses have their real estate taxes raised by a factor of 5...meaning if the taxes were $6000, the tax would then become $30,000. And to show you that the DC tax office is your friend, if the house is blighted, the taxes are raised by a factor of 10 taking it all the way to $60,000. Think of the ramifications for this for a town of transients...politicos who maintain their homes in other states or even countries and who come and go like seasonal workers... (like the Australian Sundowners who visit in the late winter early spring to shear the sheep for their annual haircuts). All it takes is a complaint from a neighbor and a visit from the Vacant Home office of the DCRA and you are [1. toast, 2. hosed, 3.  screwed, blued and tattooed. (Pick one or more)]

Scary enough? Well, there's a bright side to this story (but not for the neighbors, sorry to say). The fake owners proceeded to file suit against each other. Governmental agencies are remarkably reluctant to enter the legal arena in the midst of a fight so they stood back and let this battle rage. Since the main owner of record was fake and the notary was fake, the authorities had no alternative but to get a court's judgement, but wait, since there's a prior lawsuit raging, DC couldn't act.

Yow.  

Good news...the fake owners were unmasked and unhorsed finally, the house was taken off the Vacant home list and a developer stepped in to clean up (boy, did he clean up!). It sold almost as soon as it hit the market for way more than anyone expected. The fact that this happened in one of the plushest  of the expensive neighborhoods makes the story even more interesting but as it was of only tangential value to me, I was a mere observer.




Thursday, February 23, 2017

Listed and SOLD - S. Payne St in Alexandria, VA

Welcome to Old Town Alexandria!


Meals on the large, spacious balcony, the gas fireplace in winter, and easy access to Old Town Alexandria.

Across the street is architecture of the early 19th and even 18th centuries. Enjoy the sights and sounds of dozens of outdoor cafés, boutiques and restaurants. A twelve minute stroll to the Potomac River, the Torpedo Factory Art Center and a marina. Take a water-taxi ride to Maryland, or you can walk along the waterfront park. The Lyceum and the Athenaeum Halls, which offer concerts and lectures, are both within walking distance.

The delightful municipal park is near a small stream, we've seen ducks and geese, even a Great Blue Heron, along with some Bald Eagles who nest not far away snapping turtles dozing on logs in the water.

This is a chance to be transported far from the hurly burly of the city. Even so, two minutes more brings you to a Whole Foods Market. Wow.

Working with competent realtors makes a world of difference. Call if you would like help, either buying or selling.
 
Tim: (301) 980-4085

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Listed and SOLD in 4 days! Connecticut Courts (DC)

Listed & Sold


Four offers, sold in four days, sales price 10% higher than asking ... How did that happen? 

Unit 303 was completely renovated, 2015 bathroom, all new kitchen granite counters, new stainless appliances, new kitchen floor, refinished hardwood floors in the remainder of the apartment, all new thermopane windows, walls and ceiling freshly painted ... Did I mention low cooperative fees? How long did it take to "prepare" for the sale and was the preparation worth it?  

The answer is "absolutely."

Call me if you are thinking of buying or selling. The value of a competent agent is tremendous.

Cell: (301) 980-4085 or Timothy.Healy@lnf.com

Always glad to hear from you,
Tim

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Listed and SOLD - in Kalorama (DC)

Listed and SOLD!

Two bedrooms and 1151 sf, private parking, renovated kitchen and bath, 4 large closets and a regular closet, hardwood floors, higher than normal ceiling, awash in sunlight, in the KALORAMA TRIANGLE, in-between two metro stops: Woodley and Dupont. What's not to like?

These opportunities come and go quickly. If you are interested in buying or selling, it's always best to work with a competent realtor...give me a call - let me help.

Cell: (301) 980-4085 or Timothy.Healy@lnf.com

Always glad to hear from you...Tim



Friday, October 7, 2016

A testimonial - in claymation

I am trying something new, an animated testimonial clip.
If you can't view it here, try this link: https://youtu.be/UQwuWkE31pE