While I still believe that it doesn’t hurt to ask, I still haven’t really gotten any closer to a decision on BD’s sister buildings. I did end up talking to the local property manager (I had the wrong phone number initially), but he was still waiting on a signed contract and deposit from the owner. He expected it to come before Thanksgiving, but I still haven’t heard back from him. I’m planning to follow-up today. The abandoned nature of these buildings is starting to make a lot of sense…
Unfortunately for us, the other owner has or will receive notice of a zoning-change meeting. A developer is seeking some changes to start building a multi-use project of up to 95 rental units in the vacant lot directly across the street from our building. The vacant lot spans a full square block. Our building is in the background:
I hope the zoning is changed; this project would be a great investment and improvement to the area. I’m a little concerned about how parking will be affected, but we still have room on our lot for more cars. I doubt this will motivate the other owner to sell to us, though. He’d probably be wise to just wait for an offer from a developer at this point.
I’m also going to contact the owner of a duplex about a block from our current home. I had actually toured it with our real estate agent almost five years ago when it was first on the market. It was being sold as part of an estate. It was extremely overpriced and needed a full rehab. It was purchased at a discounted price almost four years ago and has been vacant ever since. There is sporadic work done, but nothing consistently. The location would be perfect, if we could get it.