Encouraging, I think.

[MineralMan]

Yesterday, a young woman and her son moved into their new home, the house next door to mine, with a shared driveway with mine, moved in to this house, which she had just purchased. The house had been vacant for three years, bank-owned for a while, then owned by a man who bought it at a low foreclosure price and rehabilitated it nicely. After that, it still sat vacant for a year.

I talked to the woman and her son, during a break in their hard work of moving in. We introduced ourselves, and I offered my lawnmower. Her entire family was there, brothers, sisters, mother. One brother made short work of the somewhat overgrown lawn. A smallish Uhaul arrived with her furniture, which was unloaded quickly. The cable guy came. A delivery truck from a discount furniture store delivered some new furniture to go with the new house. The pizza delivery guy made two deliveries during the day.

Eventually, everyone left as it was getting dark, and this little family got to spend their first night in their new home. I'm sure I'll get to know her and her 9-year-old son well. It's a bright spot, I think, in the recovery we need for our economy. Now that this house is occupied by its new owner, there are no more foreclosed houses in my particular block in St. Paul, MN.

I'm feeling a little more optimistic this morning.

[seabeyond]

1. i have a house next to me for sale at least 3 yrs and the one behind that, for at least two

the house directly behind has been empty for over a decade was bought by a doctor in ok that will use this home for retirement. it is not a normal set up neighborhood so we are all connected in a way...

but it is interesting. i cant see these two homes being sold for what they are asking.

it is fun to get a new neighbor

[MineralMan]

7. It's spotty, I think.

Conditions vary around the country. I'm just hoping this trend continues and grows.

[rug]

2. Good for them.

Here is a national analysis.

http://www.propertywire.com/news/north-america/us-foreclosure-figures-march-201205026482.html

[MineralMan]

3. Thanks for that link.

I was not aware of that publication. I think the recovery has begun, but has a long way to go.

[freshwest]

4. Did any of them mention what they did for a living? Just curious what area the job growth is in.

[MineralMan]

6. I just met the new owner yesterday, in the middle

of moving in. I'm sure I'll get to know her better soon. So, no, they didn't and I didn't ask. Minnesota's unemployment rate is in the 6% range these days. But I don't know what the new owner does.

[lunatica]

5. I hope you're right and it is encouraging