I don't have any experience dealing with a dilapidated house in my neighborhood. At least, nothing like this. So it's difficult for me to know just how realistic these Clinton residents are when they rant against the City's impotency or unwillingness to actually do anything about trouble houses. Are their expectations fair and reasonable?
We all wish our neighbors would take good care of their property, but most of us don't want our neighbors getting too nosy about what we do with our homes. Many "newer" neighborhoods have agreements of varying strictness regulating what can and cannot be done to a property. That's a reasonable, private way of handling the matter, although it can in some cases have the unpleasant side effect of stripping character and color from an entire neighborhood. Beyond those agreements, to what degree am I responsible for the effect of my property's state on your property's value? Do I have any obligations to my neighbors, beyond reasonable health and safety measures?
There are a lot of interesting questions here. How we discuss and answer these questions will say a lot about Lincoln as a community. What will you argue for and against as this conversation develops?
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I get taken to task a lot in the LJS for this, but quite frankly, unless a house is a bank account, its financial value is meaningless. If you want to stand around and compare net worth’s fine, but don’t expect me to care what your houses imaginary value is. I mind my house, you mind yours-its not my job to bump up your bottom line. Health and code violations are the exception, of course, but other than that? Suck it up buttercup.
I would not say the value is meaningless. However, the true value is only what someone is willing to pay for it. Not what “comparables” are, nor what the county assessor says or what some appraiser says.
It’s just like a baseball card. It could have a book value of $5,000, but it’s truly only worth what someone will actually pay you for it.
I think these potlucks are kind of silly, back to the topic.
So these people were upset but not upset enough to start a food fight? That’s disappointing - a totally blown opportunity.
From the 10/11 news page linked above:
“We tried to contact the owner of the decapitated homes, but have been unable to reach him.”
Those houses ARE in bad shape. Decapitated? Oh MY!
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