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Out & About San Diego — Ever wondered what a condemned home looks like?

By
Real Estate Agent with HomeSmart Realty West CalBRE #01458572

Out & About San Diego with Jim Frimmer, your Mission Valley Realtor


Ever wondered what a condemned home looks like?

The San Diego Union-Tribune on Thursday last week had an article about a Spring Valley home that was going to be torn down after being condemned by the County.

The same person has owned the house for twenty years but, according to neighbors, no one has lived in the house for about fifteen years. The home has become infested with rats, and although the County has been in contact with the owner, a Mr. Seeley, he didn't want to harm the rats so he did nothing.

The County finally got an abatement warrant signed by a judge. The house has also now been foreclosed on and the lender is paying for the demolition of the home.

This apparently is the first time in the County's history that a home will be destroyed due to an infestation of rats.

What a sad story, not only for the owner, but for the neighbors as well.

I thought that I would be a loner when I went to take pictures around noon today, but there were a few people in front of the house and cars arriving regularly, some stopping, some just slowing down to look.

Here's what a condemned home looks like:

Condemned home

Condemned home

Condemnation notice

♪♫ I play thet piano to relax ♫♪

 

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Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Condemned to die!

At 15 years it took almost as long as it takes a convicted felon to be condemned to die!

Certainly an interesting story, and interesting pictures.

Phil 

Jan 15, 2012 04:45 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Jim - I've read about homes being condemned for various reasons but this is definitely a first - I am sure the neighbors are glad this property will soon be put out of its and their misery.   What a shame!

Jan 15, 2012 04:46 PM
Anna Dovger
Add Value Home Staging LLC, 281-704-6607 - The Woodlands, TX
Home Staging -The Woodlands, TX

What a disaster for neighbors. Finally they will be relieved from that rat trap.

Jan 15, 2012 05:46 PM
Ron Cooks
The Real Estate Marketplace - Killeen, TX
Texas Real Estate, Ft Hood/Killeen Homes for Sale

Prior to your post, I've only seen homes that was condemed as a result of fire or severe weather. 

Jan 15, 2012 08:58 PM
Connie Goodrich
Keller Williams Realty - McKinney, TX
CRS ABR (McKinney Realtor)Texas

Sad that neglect took it's toll.  I lived in an area that the alley was very infested and our home had frequent unwanted visitors, a battle each day!  The rats populate quick and take over.  They would sit in a pear tree in my yard and openly chew away and climb the utility wires with ease.  Good things like that don't bother me.  Finally have years of complaints the city of Dallas took action and cleaned up things.  I can see how easily a home could be overtaken while vacant. 

Jan 16, 2012 12:36 AM
Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Really sad for the neighborhood, weird someone would keep a home up (money) just to allow it to sit there like that.

Jan 16, 2012 06:25 AM
Betina Foreman
WJK Realty - Austin, TX
Realtor, C.N.E., with WJK REALTY

Shocking. This is the first time I've heard of a home being condemed for rats. Its pretty sad for a lazy owner to cause a house to come down, when so many are homeless. Its very sad.

Jan 17, 2012 05:21 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

So sad, Jim.  I wonder what the story is behind its long term vacancy before the rats moved in.

Jan 21, 2012 01:19 AM
Anonymous
Tom Jones

I would be interested in acquiring a property like this, if the owner would sell for a reasonable number.  I would tear it down and wipe it clean, then build something NEW and efficient...  but I have no one to assist me finding such properties.

Can ANYONE help me find owners of dilapidated properties in the San Diego area?   (337) 322-3279

 

Thanks,   Tom

Nov 09, 2013 12:57 PM
#9
Anonymous
Sarah

It looks like the Taj Mahal, compared to my neighbor's house. Neglected for the past 50yrs, since the day it was built. GIVEN to the builder's daughter and now passed on to her only child, who is more interested in buying cars, boats and going on vacay. I, on the other hand, had to WORK like a slave in order to buy a tiny cottage, that I spend all my extra money maintaining. Nothing like the FILTHY Rich.

Aug 13, 2016 09:45 AM
#10