Tangled

We have new neighbors moving in next door.  Ol' Abner visited briefly with the man yesterday.  They appear to be about our age and have moved to our little hill country berg for many of the same reasons that shaped our choice.  I suspect they will be a good fit for our quiet neighborhood.

Just a few doors up the street, another home remains empty.  Dancing Girl  and Guitar Man were in the midst of purchasing that property when the clearance for the title became a fast widening abyss.  We knew there was a problem or two with the house, but nothing that couldn't be corrected with a little TLC and some elbow grease.  Initial research from the title company uncovered vendor liens and some unpaid fees associated with the house.  The real estate inspector found some needed repairs, as were expected in a house neglected for nearly a year.  They proceeded with hope that closing could take place on schedule or even a few days earlier.  Buyer paperwork was completed and cleared for closing.  We were as excited as they.  Another debt encumbrance to the property was discovered with the state.  It was further determined that a delinquent mortgage existed.  Calls to the lender to attempt to work out an agreement to avoid foreclosure, went unanswered.  The seller had previously sold the home as an "owner finance" and offered to enter into the same agreement with DG and GM.  With a murky title, owned by a trust and further listed as an asset in an investment company, clearly they had no choice except to back  away.

I am devastated.  We love this neighborhood and they would have been the perfect compliment to our street.  It felt so very right.  The house was the right size for them and their extended family for weekend lake outings.  As a future retirement home, it would serve their needs well, not only because of it's close proximity to ME, but because they had contracted to purchase the lot behind.  Guitar Man has as many, maybe more toys than Ol' Abner, and a place for a manly playhouse would fit the property perfectly.

Perhaps another property will better suit their needs and we'll find it next time they are here...but it won't be on my street!  That's just wrong on so many levels!