Eminent Domain

I live in Trenton, New Jersey with my grandmother. She has two houses on the same city street where they plan to takeover all the homes to tear them down and build more. They are offering my grandmother only 25,000 for one house and 18,000 for the other. These houses has been in our family for almost 100 years and are very sturdy and well structured.

I cannot believe that they are offering her such a low amount of money. She cannot even purchase one of the new houses they are building for this amount of money. Not even with both monies combined.

Can the goverment really take over this property only to build more homes. If they can why can't there be a clause that allows the forced seller to purchase the new home for a reduce rate - without being low-income housing.

What should we do? Everyone on the street is very unhappy. There are a lot of elderly people who invested money in their homes that don't want to move. They cannot afford to pay rent or pay into another mortgage.


SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME ADVICE! IT WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

It be called "Urban Renewal". Let me axe you - - has yo momma been to an attorney about dis?

IAAL

Your Ebonics or whatever gibberish you are communicating with goes unappreciated.


Anyway, they haven't consulted a lawyer yet. They are still in negotiating stages... However, it looks grim. Also, can you tell me a little more about "Urban Renewal"? Would that be a special allowance in letting them take the property?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

[quote]Originally posted by Myztique


Your Ebonics or whatever gibberish you are communicating with goes unappreciated.

MY RESPONSE: Is you dissin' me fo the way I's be talkin'?



Anyway, they haven't consulted a lawyer yet.

MY RESPONSE: Then "they" should, immediately.



They are still in negotiating stages... However, it looks grim.

MY RESPONSE: That's because "they" don't know what they're doing, and they're trying to play "Perry Mason" on their own. By doing so, they are sure to lose. When dealing with property issues, "they" need to level the playing field by obtaining knowledgeable representation. Remember, there are thousands and thousands of dollars at stake!


Also, can you tell me a little more about "Urban Renewal"? Would that be a special allowance in letting them take the property?

MY RESPONSE: Urban Renewal is a reason that allows a State or County to take property by means of "eminent domain", but the governmental entity MUST pay "fair market value" for the property, in the same manner as if "they" decided to sell the property by their own decision.

IAAL

That's what I keep telling my family. -they need to seek a lawyer!
That's why I decided to come to this site and become more knowledgeable on the subject...which I have.


The old houses in this neighborhood go for about 60,000 or more. That is around the same price they have offered my grandmother. The houses are row houses and we have big backyards in a city where you really do not see too many row houses with big backyards. Just last summer in remembrance of my grandfather I had a pond put in...garden arches...a new wood fence, amongst other things. The other back yard can fit like 4 row houses in it altogether....I just feel like she is getting cheated.

They offered her a new house, however, to buy it she would have to expunge all her funds. Also the low price of 60,000 is only if she is under low income. Why should she be under low income when she didn't buy her current home under low income. The time it was bought Trenton was a very prominent city.

In actuality the value of this house will be up in 2-3 years. A very prominent sound effects company from CA will be based in Trenton. A whole host of other companies are coming back.

Is there a way that my grandmother cannot take any money from the city, but pay less the money they were offering her. So if the lawyers or the grace of the city find her house worth 60,000 and the cost of building the house is 85,000... could she pay 25,000 to the city and not have it be considered low income? I am just looking for a happy medium here.


Is there any other advice besides talk to a lawyer? Are there any lawyers out there that can give some solutions? I know that is the best thing...However, it is but so much I can do besides tell them that. However, if I tell them what can possibly happen (good and bad) they might be more prone to take my advice before it is too late.

Myztique,

I'm not an attorney but was involved in an Eminent Domain case. You have to seek an attorney specialized in this type of case.

I had a business and they were going to cut my storefront in half. By luck I retained the services of a top-notch law firm that represented me and others on the block. The city had to pay attorneys fees, moving costs, improvements, loss of income, etc. Didn't cost me a penny and the settlement reached was very fair.

Don't go to anyone except a specialist in the field and talk to your neighbors. Get together and speak as one.

If you want the name of the firm which represented my interests, let me know and I'll try to find them for you.

Mike
[email]satinfo@postmaster.co.uk[/email]

Thanks.....advice is a little reassuring and hopeful.....thanks for placing hope in my heart......



Myztique

-P.S. Check e-mail

Check your mail..

Mike

[HomeGuru]

I checked my mail. Thanks for the checks.