As we have seen a large infusion of cash into our ailing economy when President Barack Obama signed into law the Stimulus Bill, either it was seen as our government coming to the rescue or by its detractors as a huge deficit which will be born by Americans for generations to come.
Now President Obama has targeted foreclosed homes as his next task and I feel it extremely important to help stop the bloodletting of our economy and to keep people in their homes.
What has become a blight in community upon community are boarded up homes which are not only an eye-sore, but they do bring down the value of occupied homes that surround them. What our country does need is to help responsible citizens stay in their homes or in the best scenario others looking to purchase foreclosed homes. The latter can be seen as a positive sign and the right medicine for this fractured economy. The failing mortgage industry and foreclosures were they very items which led to this economy sinking like a stone.Maybe, just maybe when these homes begin to sell again, it can turn this economy around. It will show that Americans are coming to the aid of their country, are willing to invest in it and doing so in a more responsible manner.
I have sent the following idea onto President Barack Obama to help enlist us all to become citizen realtors where we come to the aid of our own communities.
Should you see some activity around a boarded up home go out an extend a welcome to that person as I did just yesterday. Across the street from me is a boarded up home and as I saw people milling about, me being the neighborhood watch or neighborhood snoop, whichever terms one chooses to use, went across the street to find out.
A man by the name of Bruce has put up a bid on this property and I came to find out he has a dog. I extended my hand out saying, “Welcome to the neighborhood” and he was appreciative.
Unlike licensed realtors, you who live in these communities know the 411 concerning them. You know the neighbors, the schools and area places to visit such as a beach or a park. More importantly, you can fill in what you find attractive in living there. Be proud of where you live and talk it up!
Should you be so lucky as to have helped this neighbor purchase this home, it will only add to the tax base of your community where schools can be adequately funded and where services within it may not have to be cut as drastically. It is truly a win-win situation. By advising this new neighbor of yours, you can also give them the 411, of area stores which are the best to shop in, the best hair salons or barbers and all of this is vital to help our ailing economy. How about telling your new neighbor of the best restaurants in town. One of my favorites serves a great prime-rib. Yum! This way area businesses can keep their employees working or better yet, rehire the old or hire new ones.
Lastly, should you be able to accomplish this, upon them moving in, bake them a cake to welcome them to the neighborhood and in my case, I will. I will even bring Bruce’s dog some biscuits’. After all that dog will be your new neighbor. I will just have to brace the news to my own dog should Bruce purchase it, after all, she gets jealous. In the end, you will have made a new friend and that is so important in these bleak times.
Author’s email address is, xmjmac@optonline.net
