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Post by A step forward on Jun 22, 2007 13:10:50 GMT -5
Oswego city plan: Fix, sell houses
Friday, June 22, 2007By John Doherty Staff writer
First-time home buyers could get a little house-hunting help from the city of Oswego.
City aldermen on Monday will consider a proposal that would allow the city to restore run-down houses that have been seized for back taxes, and sell them to people looking for their first home.
Normally the properties are sold at an annual auction.
"This gives us the right of first refusal," said Mary Vanouse, the city's community development director.
Under the proposal, the city could spend as much as $25,000 to make the property livable, and then sell it. "We would need to make sure it would meet housing standards before we sell it to a first-time buyer," Vanouse said. "We want to encourage homeownership."
The program would not apply to apartment housing or commercial properties.
However, Vanouse said, the city could decide to withhold a parcel from auction if it had a neighborhood value.
For instance, she said, if a house that is beyond repair becomes available between two existing homes, the city could demolish it and sell the land to the adjacent property owners.
"So many of our homes were built on 33-foot lots before there were automobiles, and there really is no area to park," Vanouse said.
Last year, about a dozen tax-delinquent properties were sold at auction.
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Post by hearthanhome on Jun 22, 2007 16:31:26 GMT -5
This is a wonderful idea. I spoke to a young mom today about this proposed plan. Thanks Mrs Vanouse and Mr. Harrington for pursuing this.
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Post by Truth on Jun 23, 2007 10:23:20 GMT -5
The article lost me. Where is the money coming from? The city now owns the houses? Not the IRS?
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Post by unloggedinmember on Jun 23, 2007 23:33:52 GMT -5
Hey Truth,
The program would be set up like a program in Fulton, NY.
It will come from Community Development monies. But the program would have to be worked out before it was offered.
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Post by unloggedinmember on Jun 25, 2007 20:03:46 GMT -5
Resolution 307 was passed tonight at the Common Council Mtg. 7-0.
So now the City of Oswego will take the steps to make homes available to first time homeowners to rehabilitate them, not sold for taxes..
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Post by ghostryder on Jul 5, 2007 0:06:49 GMT -5
Not a good idea. Cities shouldn't be doing this. Cities should be providing taxpayers fire/police/ems service, and DPW duties. NOT fixing up ramshackle properties and selling them to first time home buyers. How is this a benefit to the city taxpayer?
More and more I thank God I chose to buy a home in the town of Oswego rather than in the city.
Bad idea. But then again when I see who the mayor is and who the aldermen are you have to expect things like this. Can't wait to see who the politically connected people are that get to buy these "new homes".
Pfffffffffffft. Unreal.
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