Please don't judge me too harshly until you read the whole post. I didn't do it, but I still have an urge to go back and steal from this REO for the greater good. You see I am married with three kids. I've had tough times in my life and if you listen to the news everyday, you would think the banks were eating soup and sandwiches every night with the shortage they have. (I don't consider a Twenty Two Million dollar bonus a shortage, for the record.)
But as we walked in to this vacant REO property today, it looked like any other. It was beaten down by the time of not being loved by its previous owners. I'm sure at one time they loved it, but when the time came that they knew they were going to lose their home, they just stopped loving it and taking care of it.
As my buyer's walked through this house with me right behind listening to the conversation, but never saying a word, that is when we walked into what was a kid's room. There they were, two boxes of perfectly good kids toys that some how got left behind. I have to admit this brought a little tear to my eye, knowing that this child is now without a home, friends, and now possibly his favorite toys. That can't be easy on a child and from the toys I figured they couldn't have been much older than six.
Knowing it was an REO is when my thoughts went to stealing from the REO house. I knew that even if an offer came in today that it wouldn't close until January or February, because the banks are so "efficient" at their jobs.
My idea was to steal these two boxes and give them to someone like Toys for Tots, or the Sunshine division, so that some other child, where Christmas is going to be less than desirable because of the situation their parents are in, doesn't get deprived and can get some new toys this Christmas.
Now, I'm not going to do it, but I have to say it really is tempting, because I'm guessing these toys will just be thrown out by the new home owners or the bank if they do anything with them.
Sad in Oregon...
Todd Clark - broker
Kastings & Associates
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)622-8739
Todd Clark and the Friendly Home Team
Knipe Realty
Todd@IFoundYourNewHome.com
Phone: (503)524-9494
Fax: (503)746-9573
I am a licensed Realtor who specializes in Washington County, Oregon and also work in both Clackamas and Multnomah Counties including the cities of Aloha, Beaverton, Canby, Clackamas, Gladstone, Gresham, Happy Valley, Hillsboro, Milwaukie, Oregon City, Sherwood and Tigard. All information contained in these posts are copyrighted and cannot be used without prior written approval authorization from the author me Todd Clark. If you are looking for an outstanding agent please give me a call I would love to help you with all your real estate needs.
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That is sad. Why did you have to go and write this blog? Now I am in tears.
Todd~How about calling the listing broker to see if they would give you permission to donate the toys? It's such a shame that the these toys will not make a child smile this holiday season.
I have had to clean out some of these REO listings and have had to arrange for clean up crews to toss a lot of toys into dumpsters. If there is anything good, we usually make arrangements to take them over to a place called Grandma's Attic. They donate them to needy families. Sad to hear things get wasted and not recycled.
TC,
Suggestion! Call the bank and ask them about toys for tots!!! Thanks, Fran
I would call the listing agent and suggest it too them. They can talk to the bank. It is sad for them to go to waste at this time of year. toys for Tots would love it!
Debbie
Todd, It's hard to say what I'd do if I was you. I don't take things that don't belong to me. Giving them to Toys for tots is a great charity and I give to it every year, but I'm not Robin Hood. I take my own hard earned money to buy the toys I donate. It's the banks property now, like it or not. Thanks for the post, I always enjoy your insight...
Todd, you are like a modern day Robin Hood. I am with the others and maybe calling the listing agent to see if some good can from it. Odd though that they are still there after the "trash out". Good luck and let us know if you end up doing anything!
Sad times Todd, you have a big heart.
Todd - Reading your blog, it would have been the first thing that crossed my mind too, to steal and donate. But the good conscience led you otherwise. Calling the listing broker is most likely the right thing to do - I wish you the best.
Todd, Toys for Tots can't take them unless they're new. I would suggest giving them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. You might call the listing agent and see if he would mind if you did that. I doubt that the bank would care.
Call the listing broker -- they can likely do something about this -- at some point they will likely get destroyed if no intervenes.
Hi Todd - as others have said, call the listing agent and explain what you're thinking about doing - who could say no to that??
Ann
Yep, I w ould just ask if you can take them....because yes, they will just get thrown away, or taken by someone else.
Todd, They will either be taken by the trash-out people or will be tossed...it's the holidays. What a waste. Even the hungry are punished if they steel food. Follow your concience. Sorry.
Later in the rain~Deb