Foreclosure Sale Compliance
making it harder for slumlords to acquire new properties
Poor City Process
The City had no process set up to pre-approve eligible bidders or enforce the terms of their sale contract post sale and pre-closing or beyond.
Straw Purchasers
Banned purchasers use, for example, family members to acquire property on their behalf. The District Attorney has thus far declined to prosecute these individuals and the city was stymied by their inadequate enforcement processes.
“It's like playing slumlord whack-a-mole! We get the city foreclose. Another slumlord buys the house for a song and a dance at the auction, and we're back to square one!”
Community LeaderBuffalo, NY
The Results
“We’re ready to put the City on blast once the moratorium ends next year.”
Put the City on notice pre-closing. Make them knowingly complicit if they close.
A month after this project started, COVID hit and everything shut down. The tool works, but there has not been a City in rem auction since. Our results will be updated once that occurs.
53
Prohibited Sales Identified (2014- present)
0
Deposits Forfeited
0
Aggregate Value of Forfeited Deposits