Demolition of Foreclosed Homes in Fargo

The housing crisis and economic problems caused by inflation, the pandemic, and many other factors have also significantly impacted the city of Fargo, its residents, and property owners.

Currently, as a consequence of these factors, Fargo’s real estate market is filled with numerous homes facing financial and structural difficulties that render them increasingly uninhabitable and on the verge of facing a fatal demolition.

In favor of the community and the city’s economic stability, Fargo’s leaders have taken decisive measures regarding two properties facing foreclosure.

Although the properties do not meet the safety standards and legislative requirements the city demands to classify a property as affordable housing, the lenders involved with the respective mortgages and those who have requested the foreclosure of the properties have asked the city for time before the municipal order to demolish them is carried out.

The lenders’ request for more time has been made with the intention of making repairs and renovations to the properties in question, aiming to transform them into affordable and habitable homes.

In a recent meeting, the Fargo City Commission declared the two properties uninhabitable and dangerous for the community. However, in the same meeting, they considered the intention of the parties involved in the foreclosure to make improvements to the homes before the city’s demolition deadline.

The first property is a two-story house, measuring 140 square meters, and it currently presents structural damages that pose a danger to the community. Despite orders from the city’s leadership to either repair or demolish the home, the owners have ignored them, and the property’s condition continues to deteriorate daily.

In addition to the property being filled with a large amount of trash and debris, which makes it uninhabitable, the city recently faced issues with it, as it has been a frequent site of problems with illegal occupants attempting to stay there.

In response to the Fargo commission’s accusations, the owner maintains that despite the structural damage and other issues that violate the city’s code, she believes these facts do not justify the authorities proceeding with the demolition of her property, and she strongly believes that doing so could worsen her economic and personal situation.

Her current lender has decided to sue the owners through a foreclosure process and is still undecided on whether to repair the home or demolish it. However, the process is still ongoing, and no decision can be made until the final ruling.

The other property, which is also facing complaints from the commission, is a large home with serious internal problems and debris scattered outside. Like the previous home, it has also been deemed uninhabitable. But in this case, the Fargo commission has granted the owners time to carry out the necessary repairs instead of proceeding with demolition.

Despite being for sale for many months, the owners were recently sued in a foreclosure process by their lender. Given the city’s orders, the lender has requested additional time to carry out the repairs on the house.

If the extra time granted for the repairs or for the respective lenders to take action is not honored, once the ongoing foreclosure processes are finalized, the city will proceed with the demolition of the homes.

Available Foreclosures: 

Fargo: 2 homes available.

By Elías DaSilva | 24 de octubre de 2024.