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Royal Oak, MI - Junk Removal, Trash Houses, & Meth Houses Clean Up

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Mortgage and Lending with i Cantu Media LTD

JUNK REMOVAL - YOU CAN LEARN A LOT BY WALKING

I had the unfortunate experience of walking from Troy, Michigan to Royal Oak last week. There were no cabs in Troy that morning and I thought I could hoof it down to Royal Oak to pick up my car which was in the garage getting work done. I miscalculated and ended up walking 6 miles !!!

Interestingly enough I was surprised to find out that most of these businesses were closed! There were signs of life in Clawson, MI which sits in between the two towns but for the most part it was a ghost town. I couldn't help but look in the windows and see that many of these stores, retail shops and professional offices were vacated. Worse, they were a disaster. The tenants had left tons of stuff in the stores. I saw shelving that was knocked over, desks, chairs, and garbage piled up high.

This is depressing - I mean, this is my home state.


I got to thinking about the property managers of these places. Who is going to come in and move all that junk out. I mean, there were heavy desks, refrigeration equipment and machinery. Who was going to do all of that so that new businesses could move in?

As I got into the neighborhoods I saw a lot of condemmed houses that were roped off by police tape. They could have been meth houses, trash houses and that sort of thing. When people cook drugs like that they are releasing all sorts of toxins into the air ducts and destroy the house entirely. This can be saved but then again who is going to clean it up?

 

REBUILDING MICHIGAN

I see the same problems popping up in commercial real estate and in residential. The solutions are not easy but the first step here is that there needs to be some cleaning. Attracting new tenants and stores are what makes a community. I can tell you right now that parts of Troy, Royal Oak and Clawson are definately hurting.

 

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Comments (11)
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Ashley Sharum
972.978.3109 - Dallas, TX
Ebby Halliday Realtors

That had to be an unsettling experience, seeing the remnants of life like that. Unfortunately, I don't know that anyone has the real answer as to who is going to come through and clean up what was left behind. A sad situation for that area, and mirrored across towns all over the country.

Sep 13, 2012 11:30 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Its more common than you think and anyone who is a billionaire who lives in the USA may want to visit this subject

Sep 14, 2012 12:20 AM
Amy Champion
MetroTex Association of REALTORS - Dallas, TX

I stopped by because of the headline. Royal Oak is my hometown. This time of year always makes me nostalgic for the Cider Mills, turning leaves, wearing sweatshirts at night and bonfires. I plan to visit the area next year to spend time with family and attend a class reunion.

I'm very saddened to hear that the area has declined. What road were you traveling?

Sep 14, 2012 12:22 AM
Marge Draper
Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto - Menlo Park, CA
REALTOR, Keller Williams Realty, Menlo Park CA

Hi Ted,  I grew up in Michigan, went to college at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo so like Amy am also nostalgic for my home state.  The things I loved were the tomatoes we grew in the garden, the tulips in the spring, and, of course, the gorgeous clolors of the turning leaves and the scent of the burning leaves after we raked them up.

So sad, but this isn't limited to just Michigan.  And yes, I would love to give some billionaires a guided tour!

Sep 14, 2012 04:01 AM
Ashley Connolly
Northeast Water Wells Inc - Jaffrey, NH

Hi Ted

Its so sad to hear about the struggles that many Americans are facing in this unstable economy.  As Marge said it is unfortunate how many towns are facing the same hardships that Troy and Royal Oak have felt.  Hopefully things can turn around and the beautiful state of Michigan can regain its natural appeal.

Sep 14, 2012 06:16 AM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

It is sad to see these parts in our country.  I found a listing for a home in Michigan that was only 400 dollars.  It was so low because the local gangs have the entire neighborhood under their watch and no one wants to buy the "condemned" property.

Sep 14, 2012 06:53 AM
David Burrows
Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA
No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

Ted, I'm sad to see this, too. I was born and raised not very from Troy and the Royal Oak areas. Thanks for sharing.

Sep 14, 2012 07:32 AM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Ted, what can we do? There aren't enough small businesses to fill a lot of these vacant buildings. If anything is salvagable, the property managers should sell or scrap it out. We still have a ways to go in Michigan, but I hope we'll be alright in the long run.

Sep 14, 2012 07:48 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I come from Western New York in which some areas are heavily depressed with no jobs

 

Sep 14, 2012 01:24 PM
Ted Cantu
i Cantu Media LTD - Farmington Hills, MI

Hey guys thanks for your concern!  My journey started from Stephenson HWY in Troy - down 14 mile to Main street in Royal Oak.  There are places in royal oak, certain blocks where business seems to not do well. Successful businesses seem to only thrive on certain blocks.

This problem is more widespread than I realized. I never walk through these blocks because typically I drive through them. On this particular day I was experiencing car problems and I decided to walk it. When I did that I was exposed to a lot of missed opportunities.

There needs to be more interaction with the property owners to entice business owners in Michigan. This is especially true in Detroit, (which is a whole other discussion). There was a very unpopular mall on the corner of 15 mile and Orchard Lake, (West Bloomfield) which really turned things around and became a fashion hub with a lot of activity. At one time this mall was an eyesore and that is hard to believe. Now, it attracts a wealthy clientele.

Sep 15, 2012 11:27 PM
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