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When an Owner Abandons in Colorado Springs......Black Velvet Moves In

By
Real Estate Agent with Monument, Black Forest, Falcon, Fountain homes

            Every home has a story and this one is destined for a sad ending.  At one time these walls could have reverberate the sounds of laughter, dreams, and aspirations, but now they only hold the grotesque results of yet another owner upon abandoning. 

 Mold damage in Colorado

            The foreclosure market has escalated behavioral changes in owners that would have been unimaginable in years gone by.  The lenders have taken on a Darth Vader persona to the financially strapped emotionally drained that has led to retaliation and outright destructive antics on an increasing level. In some cases the vacant homes have been invaded and destroyed beyond repair leaving a shell of a structure for neighborhoods to endure, but in this case the perpetrator was most likely the owner in one final act of aggression.  Typical REO scenarios include finding missing fixtures, appliances, and some cosmetic damage to walls and doors, but the more destructive scenarios include exposing the homes to the elements escalating the inevitable. 

 mold infested home

       

            This now toxic residence sat for months enduring the summer storms and blowing snows of Colorado through open windows on the main and basement levels.  The final chapter is yet to be written but for now the home is infested with mold spores that have permeated into every system and every crack and crevice.  Gutting the home appears to be the only salvageable option and one has to wonder if that is even a viable option at this point.  Would a more practical and cost effective process involve demolition and treatment of foundation and who's going to pick up the tab? 

Vickie Nagy
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - Palm Springs, CA
Vickie Jean the Palm Springs Condo Queen

Wow! Lorraine, what a story! What photos! I've not seen anything like this in our area.

Nov 21, 2010 10:40 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Gutting may not even work.  The mold may have invaded the wood structures as well.  I know of one home in my area that met with a wrecking ball as the county did not feel that it could be made habitable again.  Bank fought it but lost.  They ended up selling the lot.

Nov 21, 2010 10:44 AM
Lorraine Sayer
Monument, Black Forest, Falcon, Fountain homes - Colorado Springs, CO
Realtor ABR,CDPE,GRI - Colorado Springs,CO RE/MAX

Vickie:  Let's hope you never do.  This is such a sad epitaph for an otherwise beautiful property.  If I had included the photo of the front you would have never believed this was hidden inside. 

Cindy:  I would vote for demolition.  The real question is can this much mold ever be completely mitigated within the original structure? 

 

Nov 21, 2010 11:04 AM
Brian Rugg
Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX
Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Hello Lorraine:

I agree that sad best describes this scenario, especially when it is deliberate.

 

Nov 21, 2010 11:08 AM
Lorraine Sayer
Monument, Black Forest, Falcon, Fountain homes - Colorado Springs, CO
Realtor ABR,CDPE,GRI - Colorado Springs,CO RE/MAX

Brian: I think there is a loss of focus on consequences.  One may think they are making a statement to the lender but the real victims are the home owners in the community.  I agree very sad to reach this level of frustration.

Nov 21, 2010 11:45 AM
Katherine Fornale
REMAX REALTY 9 - Howell, NJ
SFR, GRI

Hi Lorraine,  I agree with Cindy, this home is ready for the wrecking ball.  That mold has permeated everything including the studs. 

Nov 21, 2010 12:42 PM
Lorraine Sayer
Monument, Black Forest, Falcon, Fountain homes - Colorado Springs, CO
Realtor ABR,CDPE,GRI - Colorado Springs,CO RE/MAX

Katherine: I agree. Can you imagine what the furnace system looks like, the plumbing, and electrical? This was a nice property but I say return it to raw land.  Speaking of which I wonder how much of the parameter around the house is contaminated?

Nov 21, 2010 01:08 PM