CM I'll take up the cudgel. I have lived, owned in the best and not so best parts of town.
I believe that Tim is right when he says that some parts of town do not need this. > The Mayor says the program is duplicative of services > that already exist yet he has not come forward with > anything to document that. CM He doesn't need to. Any one who has used bank financing to buy or re-finance a house has had the inspector come over and basically issue the same report as TIH. > > This program may be less important in parts of town > where the median income and house prices are greatest. > > Presumably these homes are better maintained and less > in need of government intervention. > > The same may not be true in other parts of the city > where the housing stock may be poorly maintained and > in need of repair. CM Hard to swallow, elitist but essentially true statement. More Contract for Deeds are written in the parts of the city perceived as less desirable. These are the most likely to have serious maintanance issues. The serious question, is why are they perceived as "less desirable"? Crime, dirty, genral lack of city investment in the basics. Desirable neighborhoods generate finance related inspections. If basic city services worked in certain neighborhoods, the price of the housing would skyrocket. Thus the homeonwer would have to do the work like their SW Laker bretheren and sistren. > > These inspections are the only time the city gets a > look CM Few people enjoy the city poking around their house, adding another reason just doesn't wash for many people. and with this law they can mandate repairs be > made. By either buyer OR seller per their agreement. CM Not so fast Tim. I'm willing to be corrected. If you list your house for sale and the truth and housing report comes back with orders that you can not afford, and you can't sell the house, you still have to do the repairs. Even if you don't sell the house. Or you will be fined. Thankyou very much city of Mpls. > > Prior to this the Inspections Dept. testifies they saw > the same problems in the same houses year after year > only progressively worsening. > > The program also helps shield less sophisticated home > buyers from predatory practices. > > This is a hot button issue in real estate and I am > certain to get some heatbut, > > I'm with Joe on this. I think it is good legislation > and is in the best interests of all citizens of the > city even if it inconveniences some realtors. CM All would be moot if the city delivered the basics, the financial status of the homeowners would change if people couldn't wait to get out of their neighborhoods. Craig Miller Former SWster and Northsider [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
