Abandonment

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Most of us live in neighborhoods which have suffered from the ravages of our most recent recession. The house across the street from mine was abandoned by its owner and then went into foreclosure a few months ago. It was once a beautiful home but now is the victim of vandalism and the abuse that goes along with vacancy. Mark, one of my neighbors, keeps the front lawn mowed but the property is really beginning to suffer. The above photo is of the back yard, showing the potting shed which was been broken into, the glass broken. The grass is now knee high and the apple tree, even though it bore fruit, has been without water for over six months. Mark and I periodically go over and check the security of the house. We always find exterior doors open and signs that someone has been there -- like food! We relock the doors from the inside and the next week they are open again. Even though the bank which owns the property could not/would not give permission for padlocks to be placed on the gates, Mark has purchased locks in an attempt to keep the vandals out. In times like this, you just gotta do what you gotta do! We're hoping for a new owner soon with the housing market beginning to improve in Phoenix.

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