northmeetssouth

These are great posts. So Lockwood doesnt pay HOA dues we are technically a Neighborhood Association. Only a select few homeowners are trying to get involved for change.. and I mean a select few. Myself and my fiance as well as another couple have paired up to do research etc. to see what we can personally do and to start our own association. As homeowners, our concerns are not being handled ,and they are valid concerns. The president wants to keep the home values low to 'protect the seniors' and so they can keep all 10+ of their rentals with tenants in there. The all pay between $550-$1000 in rent and the homes on the exterior look like crap. This is because if the overall average home price is low, and most of the people are renters, upkeep isn't a priority. I hate to say it but the mind set of most residents is that its a 'low income' community and think the homeowners are only here to make a buck. Obviously us homeowners disagree and mainly want it to be a safe and thriving neighborhood that has more homeowners than renters! We want home values to increase as any invested homeowner would because no one is out to loose money. Some of the things being said is just insanity. What would you suggest be a plan of action if we create another association? The homeowners that are older and have been here for a while don't want to be involved and then the rest are renters. We've researched every home in the neighborhood on property look up to see which are renters, homeowner, absentee landlords, property management companies, etc. We wanted to write a small publication to the property management companies to see if they have interest in selling to contractors OR investing at least $10,000 per property for landscaping, new roofs, power wash, gutter cleaning/repair etc. Its impossible to call code on all. We are also going to have random home inspection petitions submitted to the city each quarter in hopes they'll find things to fine the landlord. We don't know what else to do. Its tough when the own neighborhood president isn't listening to the homeowners AND the ones that are contributing and trying don't trust him for a minute. The other couple and us are actually meeting with the city next week to discuss these concerns... we feel though that the president has already weasled his way into these peoples heads and even the city people we're talking to may be against change... who knows. To us this is SO important that we find our voice and find ways to change this place. If the president wont then we will.. its just how is the question. If you're stepping down you should run for Lockwood!! Or come to our next meeting as a sit in guest to gage the happenings! Monday Nov 17th. If you'd like to email me on this my email let me know! Thanks!

Whistle-Stop... I have actual started setting out a plan with another homeowner that will take us a few months to organize with specific agendas and once this is in place we plan on going to the homeowners and getting them more involved. I think this is a good idea and hope that our efforts will pay off!

Yes, what Jack Wrangler said is true. It is sad because the homeowners are the only ones that do take pride in the neighborhood. If you drive down the streets of Lockwood you can easily pick out which ones have live in homeowners and which are rented. The slumlord(s) that live in the neighborhood that are buying and renting are clearly doing so to benefit their own financial gain. The officer(s) appointed to the neighborhood that have worked in this neighborhood for the last 10-15years have even told me personally, that this schematic, rental issue is a HUGE contributor to why Lockwood isn't improving much. They said in their past experience, the way to improve a neighborhood like ours is redevelopment and homeowners. We have 'HOA' meetings which stand for HOMEOWNERS Association and NONE of the homeowners needs, concerns or questions are being resolved or handled. Its clear that 'the leader' is against transition and change and is running this neighborhood as a business but creating enough buffer/margin to tell everyone they come in contact with that they're 'for increased homeowners, getting to know your neighbors and transitioning our neighborhood to become a community'. None of its true because if it were then these topics would be handled. I don't believe that one person can make or break a neighborhood. I do believe that if the homeowners stick together and reach out to the other neighborhoods that have been in this situation, city officials, land/development dept., forums/chats... and show that its a cry for help then maybe that will prove that the mere 20% of us are trying to take this on ourselves and make a difference. I've brought in contractors personally and they've been outbid so though I'm passionate and have been working hard etc., it is very discouraging. I can say that its not all about financial gain. Its about a safe neighborhood, that looks nice to those who may be interested in moving here, having the average house price being stable and decent enough to encourage builders/contractors to come in and flip and to ultimately create a nice community just north of uptown that people WANT to live in. Just like how NoDa/P.Midwood is now (not what it once was, there is a trend here)... now SO desirable yet still diverse and mixed between rentals/homeowners. It can be done. Its just what can we do!? Expose reality I suppose? Let people know the truth of the matter seeing that we live there. And I must add that no one buys a home in hopes to not financially gain something. No one wants to loose money. I'd love to take out a home equity loan someday to actually add value and space to my own home but the neighborhood avg. wouldn't support such an investment. Sad. Lockwood needs to be gone through with a fine toothed comb and the city, developers, close by neighborhoods need to know what is really going on and find ways to help! Any further information, advice etc. would be great.

Hey everyone, So I've been reading this whole thread all the way back to 2007. I recently moved to Lockwood almost a year ago and I have to say... it is not gentrifying. I understand the history here and though it was once wayyyy worse off than it is today, it still has leaps and bounds to go. As a homeowner I must say that yes gentrification has pros and cons however, with the crime the way it is and the homes in the state their in... most new homeowners moving here are looking for ways to improve the neighborhood. Our problem is that we are about 80% rentals and 20% homeowners and those that are renting pay extremely low in rent and most have absentee landlords. Thus resulting in the neighborhood looking scummy and as though people do not care for what they have. Its depressing. Another issue we have is that there are people living here that claim they help the neighborhood and want increase homeowners etc. but own 10+ rental homes in the neighborhood. Odd right? I am all for the revitalization on Graham and Tryon to take hold and pray to god that it does. My fear though is that by the time that happens.... all these homes will be rentals. Can anyone speak to their past experiences in these transitioning neighborhood with the issue of rental/homeowner and the mind shift of those that have lived here/rent here etc. that needs to happen. I'm not talking about the seniors either because most of them want to see the neighborhood thrive again like it once did back in the 50's and 60's before drugs, prostitution etc. took place. These things are still happening here as they do in any transitioning neighborhood but my question is... will any of these companies, landlords/slumlords sell off these homes as the taxes increase? With the new annex taxes just north of 277 we know its coming but I am just trying to get my mind around the truth of what is happening. There are builders and contractors out there that have been bidding on homes in the neighborhood and people that live here have outbid them to stop transition! Then, they rent the house! Its infuriating.. and this is why we have mixed messages and a divided neighborhood. I was sad to read that people think Lockwood is 'gentrifying'. Truly, I've seen people personally try to stop this from happening... but then will attend neighborhood meetings and say that they're for change and homeowners. Its crap! Anyone have any insight or thoughts on this stuff?! We want Lockwood to still be a diverse neighborhood but want renovations to take place, homeownership and pride to increase, and to thrive like the other transitioning neighborhoods!