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The mortgage for this home is held by Saxon Mortgage Services. The city of Auburn has posted an email address and phone number so neighbors can get in contact with the owner. (Image courtesy City of Auburn)

Auburn posts 'Wall of Shame' to show state of abandoned bank-owned homes

BY MyNorthwest.com  on September 13, 2012 @ 10:14 am (Updated: 1:20 pm - 9/13/12 )

If the neighbor's out-of-control yard is becoming a blight on the neighborhood, there's always the option of a knock on the door, but what do you do if property owner is some faraway out-of-state bank?

The city of Auburn is no longer letting these distant property owners get off scot-free. They're posting images of abandoned bank owned properties on what they're calling the "Wall of Shame," along with contact information so neighbors can reach out to the negligent owners.

"I get a lot of phone calls and email from my citizens talking about an abandoned property, knowing that I'll get code and compliance out there immediately," says Mayor Pete Lewis.

"Citizens are encouraged to write, phone or email the mortgage holders or property preservation contacts and request action be taken on one or more abandoned properties," the city writes. "These efforts may help convince the mortgage holders and property preservation companies to act more quickly and consistently."

The Wall of Shame currently has 21 properties listed, highlighting mortgage holders including Bank of America, Fredie Mac, and Wells Fargo. The images show varied states of deferred maintenance. One image shows tires and a mattress in the yard, another fallen tree branches that have gone uncleared.

"I understand there some in the process of being fixed. The proof is when they're cleaned up and they've been looked at by our people," says Lewis.

The city acknowledges abandoned properties can have a significant impact on surrounding homes and want these banking institutions to hear from citizens in hopes they may take swifter action on the properties.

"Keep in mind, it could be the house next to yours that has grass that's three feet high, windows broken in, etc. Nobody wants that in their neighborhood," says Lewis.

MyNorthwest.com, Staff report
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Comments (9)


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  • Lake Tapps Chris wrote...
    WOW!
    September 13, 2012 1:00 pm
    I DO hope you do your homework sir... Will this apply to white neighborhoods as well as others? Will you be sure that these are bank owned properties and not some over taxed and unemployed poor soul? I'm just sayin.. I think this is government out of control.. Maybe we need to post a politician's "Wall of Shame" there's plenty to go around.. If we can find a big enough wall..
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  • kato1967 wrote...
    really?
    September 13, 2012 1:33 pm
    Has the mayor looked around his city lately? There are plenty of properties that aren't bank owned that are badly in need of help. Maybe if you lowered property taxes they could better afford to take care of their properties. The last thing we need right now is for our government to become even more pushy and intrusive.
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  • Lillyrose125 wrote...
    Don't Agree with Above Posters
    September 13, 2012 3:26 pm
    We have a house next door that just went through foreclosure. We are hoping once the renters are out the bank will fix it up for selling and/or sell it to someone who will. If it starts looking decrepit and unkept what is in otherwise a very nice neighborhood, we would want to know who to contact to complain to. If a neighbor lives there, all you can do is come together as other neighbors and complain directly to them. I know this doesn't always do any good, but if it is unoccupied, that is even worse.
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  • C"mon Man wrote...
    Why?
    September 13, 2012 8:11 pm
    People are struggling, no need to go there.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    I have another angle on this:
    September 13, 2012 10:22 pm
    Where is the "property rights" and "takings" crowd on this issue?

    No, I'm not talking about the property rights of the owner of the dilapidated home. I'm talking about the neighbors.

    Property rights activists always demand "just compensation" from the government if the government condemns their land for a highway or for environmental concerns. There's a fair argument to made for that, so long as said property owner isn't negatively affecting other individuals or the "commons" as a whole.

    But what about when a bank owned property is left to rot, thereby diminishing the values of it's neighbors homes? Shouldn't they be allowed to demand compensation from the bank?

    After all, the banks are all too eager to employ robo-signing and all means of trickery and heavy-handedness to foreclose on homeowners if thy're late or behind on payments. So why should banks get a free pas on being negligent?

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  • HockeyMom wrote...
    As an Auburn resident.......
    September 14, 2012 6:52 am
    It may be hard for some to take pride in their properties when the city has refused to take pride is their property. Auburn has some of the worst roads around and they have the same old song and dance about how they cannot afford to fix all those horrible pot holes that have completely ruined the front end of my car. So, while posting your "wall of shame" Mayor, you might want to look in the mirror and start fixing up our town. Oh, and figure out how to sync up the lights on Auburn Way S because it should NEVER take 40 minutes to go 2 miles when coming home from work.
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  • Lake Tapps Chris wrote...
    HockyMom's right
    September 14, 2012 9:47 am
    The lights in Auburn are terrible. Left turn arrows when there's no cars in the left turn lane, green lights for cross traffic when there's no cross traffic what so ever. All designed to slow your commute down. How about the beautiful new 120ft square, wooden, creosoted cell tower on Auburn Way across from the airport.. That's a REAL pretty sight for all to see!!
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  • faithbased wrote...
    Here's an idea
    September 14, 2012 2:36 pm
    If you live next to an eye soar home, whether it's occupied or vacant. Rather than control other folks and complain, why not just offer to help and take care of the issue. It isn't that hard to clear some branches or mow a lawn. I think neighbors taking positive helpful action is better than a city government managing a wall of shame.
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  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    in my neighborhood in Kent
    September 16, 2012 6:31 am
    we would rather have the vacant homes than the looser neighbors....the houses actually look better now that they are gone.
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