neighbors left in the dark
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
November 20, 2012 1:28pm CST
Well 2yrs ago an elderly neighbor J passed away. Her son sold off what he could, left everything else, and went back out of state. The bank eventually took the property over and hired someone to mow the lawn ect or so that's our guess. Well on and off we've seen people at the property mowing the lawn or removing things from the property (not the son either). Of course we have no idea who they are or what's going on. For example last week I left and saw someone in her garage taking out stuff. Now no company logo on the suv nothing... plus it was after business hours. So I called to have the authorities check things out. Yesterday there was a car in the driveway that had some man in it for several hours. Then a time later a caucasion couple showed up and a black couple were there both filling their cars with J's stuff. Now I have no idea if the house was sold as there was never a for sale sign, no sign about an auction, just tags saying the home was winterized and the utilities disconnected...though it was bank owned via reverse mortgage from my understanding. Then today I saw a sign on the lawn a lil bit ago that said "rummage sale". I asked one neighbor yesterday if he knew what was going on, he said he asked what they were doing there and the man/men told him to mind his own business. I saw that other neighbor a bit ago and asked if he saw the sign, he said he asked the renters across from them if they knew what was going on and they didn't either.
So we have no idea what's going on with the property, if it's been looted? it was sold? And I'd hate to call the sheriff about the activity there. I wish the bank would notify the neighbors to what was going on so we would not be concerned as we are a good neighborhood and we look out for each other.
2 people like this
10 responses
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
20 Nov 12
I doubt that if you were to call they would say anything to you about what was going on, but perhaps if you call the bank directly and explain what has been going on and how it concerns the neighborhood the least they could do is make things more... "legal" so to speak.
From the sounds of it, it sounds like looting, that's for sure. It wouldn't hurt to call the authorities though as I do believe the neighborhood has a right to know and if it looks suspicious, well it could be suspicious and a real threat...
I am just hoping you get some sort of explanation from someone, the way the men were so rude to your neighbor as to say "mind your own business". If I were him I'd say it is my business if you are doing something illegal and from the looks of it you are...
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
20 Nov 12
That's just it we have no idea. I'm not even sure of what bank has the reverse mortgage on the property to even call. I've tried to look up her tax bill once and it was still in her name. Hubby's seen people take stuff out of there too. Another neighbor had seen the people cutting the grass help themselves to things out of her garage too.
Hubby gave me the impression I'm being the neighborhood busy body worrying bout things.
1 person likes this
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
21 Nov 12
You have a right to worry. The same people who are cutting her grass taking things from the garage? it doesn't seem normal. It'd make sense if it was say a relative but then you should know which are or aren't her relatives. You don't know who these people are and if they are there legitimately and with good intentions or not... I know I wouldn't want my kids or any kids going outside and playing with those people around.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
23 Nov 12
Do you or any of your other neighbors have a way that you might be able to get in touch with J's son? I think that would be the best way of finding out what is going on with the property.
Other than that, I really don't think that most banks or whatever will let a neighbor know what is going on with a house that has been vacated. The reason that I don't think they let the neighbors know is because I tend to think that the banks that own properties don't even really know what is going on with the properties that they own.
@Shellyann36 (11383)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I am afraid that it sounds rather odd that they would put a sign on the lawn that says "rummage sale" but yet when asked by a neighbor what is going on to respond so rudely. If you are having a rummage sale you want to be friendly and cordial to the neighbors so that they will come and buy stuff. I think I would call the bank and the sheriff!
@natliegleb (5173)
• India
21 Nov 12
they have been lurking in the dark and its kind of sad for them and the car went somewhere else
@Mavic123456 (21891)
• Thailand
21 Nov 12
Don't you have any homeowners association or an organization in the community. they can check it for you and you can air out your concern. Yes, you are right, you wouldn't know if there is robbery taking place already and what happened to your neighbor and their house. It is really difficult to guess what's been going through if you are left at the dark. Just be vigilant at the safety of your home.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
20 Nov 12
I'd call the sheriff. Their reaction to your neighbor tells me that they are up to no good. Why hate to call the sheriff? It's his job!! I'd call the bank, too, and tell them their property is being vandalized.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
21 Nov 12
I would be inclined to contact the police, too, since someone who had a legitimate reason for being at the property would likely not have been so rude when someone politely inquired what was going on with the property. Most people would, at the very least, give a quick, "It's just been sold" or something along those lines as the case may be.
@STOUTjodee (3670)
• United States
20 Nov 12
Wow, sounds like some thing similar that happened in the town where I lived. There was a gentleman that was in the house and was even paying people to get rid of stuff, paying people to put on a rummage sale and was giving things away. Some how or another the police got involved and the place that he was stealing from wasn't even his. Apparently, this guy had been doing this is different towns. The real owner of the house lives in another state and was out of town. So maybe getting the police involved would be a good idea.
