Photo: This Howard Beach house, abandoned for the better part of a decade, has a buyer waiting to purchase it, but the process has been held up by banks. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza.
A Howard Beach house that some say has been abandoned for the better part of a decade actually has a prospective buyer waiting in the wings—but the process seems to be in real-estate limbo.
The exterior of the 92nd Street building shows significant signs of neglect and disrepair, and an official 8.5” x 11” document taped to the front door indicates that “the property inspector has determined this property is no longer occupied, appears vacant or has been abandoned. This property will be temporarily secured and maintained against future deterioration.”
The sign was put up in March.
But at least one concerned neighbor said it has been empty for nine years. The same neighbor also said he recently observed people entering and exiting the premises for short periods of time, and that it appears that no one maintains the property.
A city Department of Buildings spokesman told The Forum that according to agency records, inspectors last visited the site on July 29, 2014, and that “no violation was warranted at the time of inspection since the building was sealed.”
A request for any and all pertinent information from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene was initially acknowledged but an agency spokesman did not follow up.
Howard Beach Realty is the listing agency and broker for the property. The agent told The Forum that the house “is in contract,” in short sale process, and that two banking institutions—one being Wells Fargo, the primary mortgage holder—will determine the property’s future.
“It’s very frustrating for all involved,” the agent said.
A short sale is any sale of real estate that generates proceeds that are less than the amount owed on the property. A real estate short sale occurs when the lender and borrower decide that selling the property and absorbing a moderate loss is preferable to having the borrower default on the loan. It is known as an alternative to foreclosure.
By Michael V. Cusenza michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
