By Rachel Pritchett
PORT ORCHARD — At times, the Friday-morning foreclosure auctions
outside the Kitsap County Administration Building can take your
breath away.
That happened to me April 15, when one of the largest foreclosures
properties of the year, the aborted Blossom Hill development on
Bainbridge Island, went back to the bank on a couple of mortgages
totaling $27 million that went bad.
This past Friday, I watched a waterfront home on Bainbridge Island
auctioned off to an investor for $226,000, less than half its
assessed value.
Foreclosure deals so common these days can yield a lot of money for
investors. But there’s also risk, and unforeseen expenses can turn
things south quickly for novices who don’t know what they’re
doing.
About six bidders stood ready to sweep in as three dozen others
watched with interest. That’s unusual — lots of foreclosed home
simply revert to the banks. No one shows.
But Crystal Springs Drive on southwest Bainbridge Island has a
stunning view of passing ferries and boaters. It’s in a historic
community focused on the Point White Dock, a popular place for
anglers and swimmers.
The minimum bid on the house was $93,484.
Bidding started with several people upping each other in painfully
small increments of $100. Then it narrowed down to a couple of
bidders, but it wasn’t over for a good half hour.
I spoke with Steven Hughes of Hughes Construction of Bainbridge
Island. He claimed the homeowner owed him $105,000 for a renovation
he did a few years back. He wanted his money.
The problem with the Crystal Springs Drive house, at least
according to Hughes, is that it sits at the bottom of a steep bank.
He claims the house has foundation cracks.
“It’s a gorgeous view, but when you have a bank behind the house
like that, it’s scary,” he said.
With foreclosure sales, it’s no sure thing the deal that’s hoped
for will be the deal delivered. Foreclosure buyers need steel
stomachs and live with the prospect there may be unknown expenses.
Maybe or maybe not the steep bank will be a problem. In lots of
cases, foreclosed homes are trashed by residents forced to move,
and auction buyers can’t always get inside to get a look before
they lay down thousands. Sometimes the property has sat empty for
months.
One thing is for sure. Someone walked away with a waterfront home
on Bainbridge for less than half of its assessed value.
The auctions start at 10 a.m. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Buyer beware.
I wouldn’t live in such a house placed where it is for any amount of ‘bargain’ money.
I’ve watched too many news videos showing hillside mud slides burying and moving stuff – including houses and people.
We looked several times at one PO waterfront place years ago that we SO LIKED, We didn’t like the property ground splits we saw between the house and the bottom of the hill water – nor the soil hill behind the home and road…I wouldn’t have slept well there but it was a fabulous place. Far as I know its still there.
This story about the waterfront property reminds me of this one about a dangerous road here. Gertie Johnson Rd. is on the hillside that slid on to Rolling Bay Walk in 1997, killing a teacher, his wife and their two young sons.
Buyer beware indeed…
Buying a home is a big step, all the more so if you are living with disabilities. Living by yourself often requires a higher level of independence and responsibility. If you are dependent on certain assistance or services make sure that the neighborhood in which you’re considering buying a home offers a full range of the support services you require.It also costs more to own and maintain a home of your own then living at home or renting a room in a nursing home. There are several financing options that may help. The sooner you clarify your needs and wants and determine how much you can afford to spend, the better.These are a few of the advantages and disadvantages when you are thinking of buying your own home. You may come up with more advantages and disadvantages and it is advisable to contact a local housing counselor to help you prepare to make a decision. A housing counselor is a local, often government issued, agency or institution that works with helping you who are living with disabilites in the home buying process.