Between Death & Difficulty

We were contacted about a property on Godfrey St. The Seller was at his wits end, his father passed leaving him this home and land to manage. He understood the value of owning real estate and wanted initially to hold on to it as an investment. He found tenants and that is where the headache began. Having no prior experience the gentleman was left navigating property management on his own. The tenants began abusing the property and he didn’t have the liquid capital to make repairs. It ignited a nasty battle between landlord & tenant. If you cause the problem…why should he have to make the repairs? A very logical argument. The tenants then chose to hold him hostage instead by refusing to pay rent. He then had to resort to evicting the tenants. Nothing like losing your father, inheriting a property, trying to manage it on your own and then essentially getting drained of finances you already didn’t have. 

We proceeded with the sale of the property alleviating the Seller of this unexpected inheritance. He didn’t want to fuss with agents and paying additional, having to deal with inspections and potentially being asked to concede more due to the properties condition. He just wanted out. The home is located in a neighborhood that is experiencing revitalization it had the potential for being more than what it was. We envisioned multiple homes on the property and creating the opportunity for additional housing. After closing, he got exactly the cash amount he was hoping for, the unburdening of a property with out having to lift a finger and got to use the funds to catch back up on his finances. While the property was in our possession, we hired several folks to come strip the property in its entirety, service the lawn and survey the land.

We bring this story to your attention because that is how life operates…completely unexpectedly. We often forget that tomorrow is always a gift. We get comfortable with the day to day and in the blink of an eye we take for granted the relationships we are blessed with. The story of the Seller resonated with us because not to long ago we were on the receiving end of that unexpected phone call. Eric’s dad passed from a brain aneurism while he was only 53 years old. We had to navigate a messy road of finances, personal property and medical bills. It takes away from your ability to grieve when you are the “responsible” party. You flip to survival mode and just getting all of the ducks in a row. You finally get to that point where breathing becomes exhausting. Why weren’t they more prepared? Why were you left to navigate this for them? The feelings of regret…wanting to hold on to things or even property because it is the last “piece” of them that you might have of that person. Our loved ones don’t want to leave us in the wake of burdens. Things that were near and dear to them don’t have to be our ball & chain to bear. Memories are beautiful, they don’t need to be muddied up with possessions. And while we commend the gentleman for holding fast for something that was left by his father, it’s ok to recognize that you don’t have all of the tools, resources or know how to maintain it. 

We created Common Ground for stories like these…to find the middle. To take the wits end and re-write the story for a more positive ending. Real Estate is not just transactional, this is often more times than not an extremely emotionally charged exchange. When we have to separate from a “property” it isn’t just saying goodbye to a physical place. It is leaving memories, regrets, hopes & dreams in a space and time that can’t continue on with us. When we have the ability to initiate peace in something as stressful as finances it allows the doorway to healing to start. Survival mode can be turned off and that person can walk through grief the way it was intended. While we in turn get to take up the torch with the property, opening the door for the opportunity of providing jobs in a neighborhood and restoring a home to start a new chapter with a new family. That sounds like a legacy worth leaving.