The Director of Communications for DuAll Services sent me an email with a link to a very interesting, expressive post about "cleaning out a crack house," click here.
The blog post in question is so much better than the usual "look, our company is using social media" dry-as-hell, boring b.s. one SO OFTEN sees. In fact, it's amazingly expressive and downright literary. How did THAT happen?
Now, I know the email is basically looking for a plug on my blog but you know what? You write that well about transforming NoMi, you get a plug!
Besides, I look at the photo above and my eyes don't fixate upon all the crap. All I see is that lovely archway in the living room, and I think about how this FORMER crack house could be a wonderful home, much loved by its owner.
And, I might add, probably a bargain at twice the price.
(Do Not Click "Read More")
Thanks for the mention. As part of my duties here at DuAll, I'm trying to explore a bit of the human side of what we do. My day-to-day activities involve cleaning out foreclosed homes, but I try not to lose sight of the bigger picture.
ReplyDeleteIf you enjoyed that post, here are a couple of my favorites. The first one is a bit of a photo essay that showcases some interesting properties I've worked:
http://www.duallservices.com/foreclosures/reo-restoring-the-essence-of-ownership
This link is an essay from a hoarder house I cleaned out a bit ago. It was a fascinating experience.
http://www.duallservices.com/uncategorized/an-essay-on-hoarding-or-my-sad-yesterday
And another thing: I too often find myself looking past the rubbish and wondering at what happened to tarnish the incredible craftsmanship and design of these old dwellings.
ReplyDeleteThugs happened. But thugs are being driven out by decent people who want fine old homes at a good price, and are willing to stand up and "secure the perimeter."
ReplyDeletei've gotten recommendations for this company before, they must do good work.
ReplyDeleteNot just the archway that is easily visible, but if you look way in the background there is also beautiful woodwork and archway around that other door way. It looks like the half height bookcases and some columns.
ReplyDeleteAlso look at the beautiful antique setee (dainty little love seat) that is in the right side of the room, looks like the upolstery is all torn up. Damn crackheads, can't have nuthin' nice 'round here.
Anyways, I'd love to know what house this was, and what the fate of it is now. Is it on the market? Did it get sold?
Maybe El Otro can privately email John again and John can pass on the message to me?
that does look like a lovely house and it would be cool to see "before" and "after" photos!
ReplyDeleteOur server on the Forward Operating Base is being awfully slow today. Having difficulty pulling up my gmail.
ReplyDeleteTell you what. I'll go over there and post the question on El Otro's site, and ask him to come back here with the info.
I've received one private email from another blog reader who also commented on the glory of those ebony archways and bookcases. I shared with her a picture of my own woodwork archway and the similarities. She had high praise for Peter at DuAll Services, and she is a house lover with high standards, so that speaks volumes about DuAll.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I cannot divulge the exact location of this home due to a clause in our contract. However, I recommend that any interested readers monitor the housing situation at (www.themlsonline.com). You can do a google map search and focus on the neighborhoods/streets that you want. There you'll get photos, price info and more.
ReplyDeleteI've worked on a lot of homes in NoMi,including many with characteristics similar to this one. They're out there, and they are generally inexpensive. It wouldn't take much to revive some of these blocks; just a few people interested in rebuilding a given area.
I can totally agree with that. No sense focusing on this one house. Jewels like this litter the ground in NoMi.
ReplyDeleteAll that's needed is an adventurous personality willing to join their neighborhood association and concentrate on turning their block around. Buy low, in half a decade you might sell for tenfold.