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Article
Courtesy of Tampa Tribune By Michele
Sager Published
October 15, 2011
CITRUS PARK --
Neighbors living in Fawn Ridge subdivision take pride in their quiet streets and
manicured lawns.
But for three years they've watched an abandoned home
deteriorate, creating an eyesore in the middle of their neighborhood, residents
said.
| After the house on Fawn Ridge
Boulevard fell into foreclosure and the bank took it over,
neighbors said the property went neglected. And while it isn't
unusual for neighborhood associations to take over lawn care at
foreclosed homes, Fawn Ridge residents replaced an entire roof.
"We took it upon ourselves to go
forward and clean it up and make it look presentable so that
those of us that are working hard to keep our homes looking good
can look over there and not be ashamed of what we have in our
neighborhood," said Mike Carter, the president of the Fawn
Ridge Home Owner Association's board.
The
association tried repeatedly to contact Bank of America, which
owns the property, to fix the roof. Neighbors said it violated
deed restrictions and posed a danger to residents. The bank
placed tarps over the roof to cover broken tiles and leaking
holes. The inside of the home suffered water damage. |
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Workers
from Cardianl Roofing work on a roof that was only covered with a blue
tarp after the residents abandoned the property. The Fawn Ridge Home
Owners Association is paying to replace the roof in an effort to keep up
property values and the neighborhood's standard of living.
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The
association voted to fix the roof and was able to go in and hire their own
contractor, due to community bylaws. Bridget Jenkins Wilson, president of
Cardinal Roofing, said the damage was extensive and the tarps weren't a
long-term solution.
The association paid about $15,000 for the
new roof and will place a lien on the home until the money is repaid. Carter
said it's worth the investment.
"Hopefully, by fixing this home it will
help some of the surrounding houses on the market sell and help our property
values," he said.
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