This post was authored by Amy Swift.
In June we ran a story about Architect Charles N. Agree's Five Most Disrespected Buildings, and low and behold we found one on this year's Wayne County foreclosed auction list. This got us wondering what other historic properties may or may not still be up for grabs on the auction block, so we got to searching.
1. Agree's Chicago-Lawton Terrace Apartments (2901 Chicago Blvd) was last purchased in October 2009 for $1600 with a batch of other cheap properties in a quick claim deed to the same Premiere One Management LLC, leading us to believe this was part of a big auction steal in 2009. Comparing the July 2009 images of this property to the ones we took when we were there in June 2012, it's pretty clear no improvements have been made. Also, given its place in the 2012 foreclosure auction we know no taxes have been paid since the property was purchased for a song. This property was passed up in the first round that ended Monday, leading us to wonder what this building's fate holds in round 2. Let's hope this isn't a perfect case study of the FreePress's claim that the auction is a mistake.
2. 1807 Leverette was the sole residential property in the Corktown Historic District, but as of September 9 the property was withdrawn from the auction. The house is lived in and well maintained, so it appears that if the owners were facing foreclosure they figured a way out of losing their home. Good thing too, because it's a charming property in a hot hood that definitely would have gone in the first round.
3. The Patterson Terrace rowhouses on Erskine and John R in the Brush Park Historic District are in pretty rough shape to put it nicely. But if you're an optimist, wieldy with a financial package, and have a structural engineer on speed dial this could be the property for you! There are only 3 units being sold at auction so this place may be even more of a hassle than what even meets the eye, but given the location and its charm potential it may be worth the real estate run around. Passed up in round 1, each unit will start bidding at $500 a piece in round 2. Not to be taken lightly though, this property requires the right owner with the right vision. One more scummy owner and this thing is definitely toast.
4. We noticed the John N. Bagley home (2921 E. Jefferson) on the Why Don't We Own This? map for a hot second before it was withdrawn. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985 and houses a mental health facility.
5. 325 Fiske is hands down the historic property to watch at this auction. Located in the super swank Joseph Barry subdivision just around the corner from the mayoral Manoogian Mansion and Kid Rock's new waterfront estate, there's no way this won't get a bid. UPDATE: Round 1 of bidding ended today at 10:45am with a buyer taking the place for the minimum bid of $69,200.
6. The property at 7924 Lafayette is just a few doors down from the Van Dyke mansion that was scrapped earlier in the summer, so buyer beware: if your intensions are less than respectable the neighborhood will flash mob your a--. But assuming you're not looking to architecturally rape and pillage, the neighborly West Village love you receive in the deal is a purchase bonus. If there's no last minute bid on September 18 when its round 1 closes we'll keep you updated on round 2 bidder wars.
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