Is a 16 Dollar Home a Deal or Steal?

Have you heard the one about the man from Texas that moved in an abandoned foreclosed property and walked out with the best home deal ever? Of course you’ve heard the news, but just in case you didn’t. Kenneth Robinson did and his internet research paid off big time in the form of receiving a form that would give him right’s to live in a $330,ooo home. Most people would say this can’t be true, but yes it is and from the looks of it Kenneth Robinson isn’t going to give up his new found castle anytime soon. The only problem I can see that this man having is a huge problem (the new neighbors). If you could just move into any abandoned property you want to would you? If you said yes take a little time to weigh the pros and cons of the situation first.

The first thing on the house squatter checklist would be to find out who owns the home. If the home is owned by a bank or loan financing company find out if the company is still in business. If the company has gone out of business you just might be in luck. Check out the internet and print off a form and you’re all set to move in. Now, you’re in the home of your dreams only you have not electricity or running water, because you can’t get your utilities connected without having proof of residence and since you don’t technically own the home this would be a huge problem. Do continue to live in the home without the basic necessities or do you find a home of your own and live like you’re used to living? Most would say stay and tough it out because it will payoff in the end. Then again others would say without running water, electricity, sewer and garbage pickup this $330,000 home will be literally trashed in a year!

In retrospect I would say that the law is the law and if the law is outdated or creates a loophole for legal trespassers to become home owners the law should be changed, but the people that have taken advantage of this law should not be held accountable and should be allowed to keep their newly found home. How fair would this be to the actual owners that were kicked out on their behinds for failure to pay for the home and avoid foreclosure and having their credit ruined forever? In the meantime there is a new family living in the house you are still paying for just so that one day you can purchase a home or a car or just have a decent credit rating. I wouldn’t waste a tear for the neighbors feelings, but the families that are thrown out for squatters to move in for pennies on their hard earned dollars is good cause for Kleenex tissues.

There is a moral clause here for the squatter. Just because you can do something it doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do. I will say this I live in N.C. and there are so many homes for sale that have been for sale for years. Kids break the windows out, thieves steal the copper wires out by knocking down the walls, and appliances are stolen, and then up go the boards. Next, the neighbors are moving and placing their homes up for sale. The nice little neighborhood becomes an eyesore for the people that haven’t moved or a dilapidated den for illegal or unintended behavior. We have a homeless crisis in America right now and there are too many vacant homes in almost every neighborhood. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if these homes could be rented out for even the most minimal amount that someone could pay? Any rent would be better than no rent and higher property taxes for a house that has been unoccupied for years. I say bring our neighbor hoods back by giving cities and home owner’s options and rewards for helping people get back on their feet and off the street. When the entire country has a ton of vacant home’s out there no one should have to be homeless or a squatter.