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What would you do?
Cleveland has some of the highest foreclosure rates in all of the country. We have a neighbor that unfortunately lost their house to foreclosure. The house went up for Sherrif's Sale in January and Countrywide Bank bought the house as part of their REO program. When the bank took possession of the deed, the old owners were evicted.
Yesterday I was speaking with a different neighbor and it turns out the bank never changed the locks on this home. The old owners went into the house and removed the basement carpet, appliances and who knows what else. The reason I know this is because this woman had the nerve to go door to door asking people to watch her kids while she and her new boyfriend removed the items!
I am sooooo bothered by this. Is it any different that going to an empty home that is for sale and taking their stuff? It just seems wrong. I keep thinking....what is next...copper pipes?
The thing that throws me is that I am the only neighbor that is speaking up and sees this as stealing. Everyone else just wants to ignore that it happened.
What would you do? Call the police, the bank, ignore the situation?
Debbie May
www.WholesaleSuppliesPlus.com
1-800-359-0944
25 comments:
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I would have to know if your x-neighbors purchased those items separately. I know my appliances have nothing to do with my mortgage. They have been bought and paid for. I understand that what they are doing is wrong but I would look the other way. They have lost enough.
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If the bank owns it, it's stealing. If you couldn't contact the listing agent, I'd at least write to the foreclosure department of the bank, let them know the situation and let them handle it if they choose. At least you have the peace of mind knowing that you tried to do the right thing.
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If they had to go in to get things that maybe they left behind, I'm not sure I see anything wrong with this. If they were taking things that should hae been left as part of the house, that's a different story all together. My husband and I were in a similar situation, we moved out and were never given a date that we had to be out by, so one day when we went to get more of our things, the house was locked up. We lost some things that were ours and we should have taken with us, but were unable to. I think if they had plenty of time to move out their things, then they shouldn't have gone back in. I do agree with the previous poster, though, shame on the bank for not changing the locks. It was their responsibility to make sure that no one was able to get into the house to loot or steal. I think they should have to eat the costs there, but just like you, I'm on the fence about what to do about the previous owners. I mean, they just had their house foreclosed on, how do you think it will affect the kids for mommy and daddy to be in jail because they can't afford bond or something? I really can't help you make your decision, but I hope my story at least gives you some insight.
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Notify the police. Theft is theft, no matter how you look at it. By ignoring the situation, you are condoning their actions. Good luck Debbie - May you have the strength and courage that you need to do what's right!
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The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing. You already know what you want and should do. You just need the courage to do it. Good luck in your decision.
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Here in California, it is the same situation. I am hearing stories about how homeowners have left their houses in bad condition after the bank foreclosed on homes. I have even heard that some homeless will squat in empty foreclosed homes.
I really do not know how to really feel about this because companies like Countrywide got greedy and made loans to people who truly could not afford to buy a home. And the other hand the person who bought the home got suckered by the lenders. So maybe this neighbor was getting back at Countrywide. But it does not make it right.
It is sad that that it has come to do this. But I really do not know what you can do. Like anonymous said that bank might not even listen if you told them. They are probably trying to get rid of the property.
But it is my understanding that Band of America is trying to purchase Countrywide so there is another wrench in the wheel.
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This is really none of your business and I am sure that the situation is devastating enough for the family. The bank owns the dwelling not its contents. You don't know the circumstances surrounding their devastating loss and surely you should not make their lives worse. Be glad that you are Blessed enough not to lose your home. Atleast not now, you don't know what the future holds. I think you are being a snob.
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I think what they are doing is wrong. In saying that, I think I would turn the cheek. I would fear for what they might do to me if I reported them. Afterall, they are criminals for the theft.
I do want to add that I met Ms. Debbie May at the Soap Guild Conference this week. I find her anything but a snob (as previously posted). She was giving of her time, caring to educate us and generous with an after hour party.
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Hi Debbie,
One thing I've learned over the years and probably the hard way is that I can only control myself and getting upset over what others do doesn't benefit me. I'm growing a business like you and I have a family and I think it's more than enough to take care of. Now you might say well should we all turn our backs on unjustice, no and if you feel strongly on calling and reporting that's good but then let it go, it doesn't serve you.
Linda
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Shame on the person who went on a diatribe about what a snob Ms. May was about being bothered by the theft in the previously owned home. As the other writer stated, theft is theft. If what they took belonged to them, they should have taken it with them when they moved, not snuck in later, asked neighbors to watch their kids,(making them accessories to the theft), and then steal what no longer belonged to them. Shame on you,anonymous writer! Ms. May, call the police. How many times have we heard about people just standing by doing nothing when a crime is occurring. A crime has occurred, pick up the phone!
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I am just a housewife, not a big executive, with a family. We don't have alot of money, and therefore I purchased a foreclosed home a couple of years ago. I worried the previous owners would come and try to do something, but later learned the man had left his house in the middle of the night,(also just walked away from owning a business). So, it is not like the bank told him to get out, he left then the bank took it for non payments. I am in my 30's and this is my first house, I was frightened to buy a expensive house, that the future might hold financial hardships, so I bought a house, that me & my husband have slowly been fixing up as we go. I pray that I will not find myself in the situation of loosing our home, but deeply feel for those who have. I don't know your neighbors situation, but for your readers, I want to say most banks will work with you if you get behind on payments, but you have to call them and tell them your situation. My sister in law just lost her home, but she refused to call the bank, she just kept missing payments, if she didn't have the entire payment, she made none at all. Then when she finally did call the bank they had already started foreclosure. I can't say I would do anything, I see people loosing their homes all the time, it is sad and the most sad for their children, who have memories in their homes, and then their last memory will be racing to get their belongings out. I hope your neighbors will find a place to live, and have the warmth of a bed. So many people living on the streets, and empty stomachs as they go to sleep and wake up.May God Bless Us All! I don't appreciate the comment saying you are a snob, do they really know you? I have never met you, and probably never will, but Thank You for sharing your life with us! You face hardship every day, but I can tell you know that God has blessed you. Your child might have autism, but you have been blessed with a child, that needs your love and support, God knows you can be strong, and you have been chosen to bless your child's life.
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Debbie, What you saw bothers you because you know it's wrong. I would call the police and let them decide what they want to do. Please just ignore that dumb-ass who said you're a snob. All the rest of us really like you...
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The right thing to do would be to call the police, but on the other hand the reality is probably that these people have nothing, no home, and are probably pretty desperate. Sometimes you have to be careful just how much you get involved as a bystander only from the point of view that you don't know the whole story, and also, not being able to walk in your ex-neighbour's moccasins you really can't imagine what they are going through. Especially if you are in your cushy home, with your great business and intact family unit.
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It's a sad time with so many losing their homes and I feel deeply for those caught up in this nightmare.
Unless you know all the details of the transaction (i.e. were the appliances part of the foreclosure or owned separately) it is difficult to determine whether or not theft has actually occurred.
Do you know the name of the bank? The realty company etc.? If you do, you may consider sending a short email indicating what you witnessed, without mentioning the words "theft" or "stealing", and if they had any questions as to what you saw, they can contact you. This way, if it was truly deemed to be theft, you have not stood by and let it happen. If it was a case of these Folks removing what is rightfully theirs, then no further harm is done to them in what-must-be a very difficult time.
As an aside, I dont understand the comments about "shame on the bank" for not changing the locks? Stupid? Sure. Shameful? I dont think so. If I leave my car unlocked, does that give someone the right to take my CD's?
Theft is theft, whether you had to break a lock to do it or not... whether or not you had your home foreclosed on or not.
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I would help them in any way I could. If keeping their kids was it, then I would do it. Lord help us all with what is happening. Your home could be next. All of you reading this most likely have a mortgage or rent that is so high that if you missed 1 paycheck, you'd be in serious trouble. You'd have to choose whether or not to buy food, fuel, pay the utilities, skip the mortgage, etc. The USA is in terrible financial shape and our greedy leaders are to blame! We are all one paycheck or pension from being on the street. Think about where you would live or go if this happened to you, and believe me, this will happen to a lot of us and soon. Think about this family and count your blessings that it hasn't happened to you yet. Too many people are on high horses and look down on the unfortunate. "Oh they made bad decisions", or "They couldn't afford the house". They, whom you speak of, didn't finance the home. If they did, they wouldn't be out on the street now. Watch yourselves, people. Karma is a great regulator. Judge not.
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Well this is a delimma, isn't it!? There are two sides to everything. The family perhaps made a good faith effort to pay for the home and in the end couldn't do it. The bank forclosed because they need to stay in business and you don't do that by "giving money away". If it were me I'd contact the bank and suggest they check the house and encourage them to see about changing locks right away on the homes they take back. You can do it without giving your name, without saying anything specific about the previous owner and their activities. Not much can be done about the things being gone from the house at this point. I doubt if the lender didn't care enough to change the locks they likely didn't get the serial #"s of the appliances, either.
Good luck....
S from Kansas
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i know what they are doing is wrong and kind of sleazy, but they may need those things to sell for a place to live.
we are 3 weeks away from foreclosure and are scrambling like mad to find money that doesn't exist.
my husband lost a per diem job and is working 3 part time jobs.
i am home with 5 kids.
we have no family to fall back on.
they should have removed the things before the eviction when they were still the owners of said things, but the bank will sell the house for the same amount either way.
those things probably carry more importance to the neighbors than the bank.
having a safe place for the children is more important than the theft, imho.
while i do not agree with what they did i do understand why they did.
remember debbie, even you could be next. all it would take is the wrong lawsuit or serious illness.
namaste.
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Did you speak to the people the day they were at the house? Did you know them before they lost the house? Do you know if they received permission to go back in and get the things they left behind? From the original "What would you do?," there isn't enough information to say what should or should not be done.
Unless you, anyone, knows the specific situation how can judgment be made on the people or what they were doing. If someone was so concerned at the time why didn't they walk over and speak to the people then? Maybe they were asking the other neighbors for help with the children because they were neighbors at one time and the bank had told them they had to remove their belongs that day, before they could get anyone to watch the children. Shame on everyone so quick to judge and advise without knowing any of the specific facts on the situation. There are way too many hard working families that were mislead and found the mortgage doubled after the first year, and the cost of living rising faster than their income could cover. Unless you know these answers, exactly how they lost the house, if they were given an extended time to remove their belonging before the bank was coming to change the locks you can't say what to do. Before you can decide what to do you need to know all the facts first and then look inside yourself and ask WWGD (What would God do). Yes as another writer said, "For evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing," can also be applied to this families situation. If others could see they were having trouble, that they were in need, that evil was happening to them, not that they were evil or criminal, and did nothing what does that say about those around them as "good" neighbors? Since when did we all turn from trying to be compassionate good neighbors, and less judgmental until we know all the facts. If you are really bothered by what you think you saw find out all the facts first.
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In my area of the country this is not an illegal act. The bank forclosed on the home not its contents. If the ppl went back and took the rug and all appliances..so what! Its theirs and it is a seperate entity from the home. The banks in this country are making it almost impossible for people to survive.
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I unfortunately see this type of thing happen 5 days a week (sigh). I am a deputy sheriff and 80% of what I serve and post are regarding mortgage foreclosures. The only thing I can say is since the bank did NOT have the locks changed, the prior owners MAY have had permission to go back and get their things out within a specific amount of time. I know when I do evictions, many times the ppl are already gone when we arrive to evict them and what happens is the bank has ppl there to take possession of the house/property. Everything that is left behind (funriture, etc...) needs to be stored by the bank for up to 30 days for the defendants to retrieve. I would bet that the bank just did not forget to padlock the house but ALLOWED them to go back and get out what they wanted. Do you know if NO - TRESPASSING signs were posted on the house when the owners were evicted? I'm not sure what exactly happened here but the banks and the ppl they have there to take possession once the prior owners are evicted DO KNOW to SECURE the house ~ that is what they are there for the day the sheriffs formally evict the prior owners.
Lisa Dauphin County Sheriff's Dept, Harrisburg, PA
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If someone asks about it tell the truth. If no one asks, mind your own business.
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Its stealing and you and your neighbors are a witness to a theft.
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that was STEALING. yes it's a shame that they couldn't afford to pay the bills anymore and got the boot. But they are the ones that signed the mortage papers in the 1st place. I don't feel bad for any of them. they got in OVER their heads and expect the rest of the country to feel sorry for them and bail them out. While the people that STICK TO THEIR BUDGETS and for-go the rat race, pay for it!
by the way if you bought a new house, how would you like the previous owners to come in and rip out the carpet, after you bought it? carpet is a fixture, and is included in the sale of a home, you can't take it with you, can't take the toilet or the drywall if you want to go that far.
call the cops, the house was robbed! hope your neighbors do the same if it was your house.
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I guess I would vote for nothing. Shame on the bank for not changing the locks. And of course what they are doing is wrong, but the bank probably has their hands full and might not even listen to you if you told them.