The Man Who Paid $16 for a House: The Texas Squatter Story
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Leslie Minora over at The Dallas Observer has done what I wanted to do — written a great, in-depth story about Ken Robinson, the Flower Mound Squatter who filed an affadavit, paid $16 and then proceeded to squat in a $350,000 Flower Mound McMansion. It’s the Dallas real estate, no wait, the Texas real estate, story of the, well, year. As Leslie points out, Ken is more popular now than Jet Blue flight attendant Steven Slater — both poster heros for “sticking it to the man”. Slater said “I’m sick and tired and not going to take this job crap anymore.” Robinson is living the American dream for $16 bucks. He found a house in the suburbs with a swimming pool for God’s sake and is living there, still living there. And yes, he has electricity and according to Minora, the place is spotless. Robinson has cleaned up the yard, the pool, the house, and appears to be doing a great service to that neighborhood — but the neighbors still think he should go. Any case, read this story. Robinson is apparently trying to give seminars teaching people how to adversly possess homes. He’s charging $10,000 for a two-day course. He is single, has been married twice and has six kids, even grandkids. I have always wanted to know how the hell he got the key to the house, to get in, and the story offers the three answers he has given: he found the key in the grass while mowing the lawn, he got in the house through a broken window, he had the locks changed after showing a locksmith his affadavit.
Then Minora talked to a professor of real estate law who said what we said at the very beginning: Robinson has found himself the perfect storm: the owner of the home, a William P. Ferguson, cannot be found. Neither can his wife — there is evidence in the home that a woman lived there. The bank that held the mortgage, Accredited Home Lenders, filed for bankruptcy in May 2009. Bank of America is the current mortgage holder and when Minors contacted them, they actually got back to her and said they’d be foreclosing on the home in two months. Ha! Believe that, I’ve got some great house bargains for you in Nevada.
One thing to note: taxes will be due on this home come January, and they are $7573. I hope Robinson sells enough courses to cover them because if he doesn’t pay up, he’s out.
But you know what? I am rooting for Robinson. You go, man. I hope he gets to stay as long as he can over there on 2205 Waterford Drive in Flower Mound. No home should be empty and run-down, and he’s giving this place tender loving care and good ju ju AND a crystal clear swimming pool which he’s enjoyed all summer.
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Such an amazing story…I agree he's actually doing the neighborhood a good deed by taking care of the home and keeping it clean. It will be interesting to see what happens…
Such an amazing story…I agree he's actually doing the neighborhood a good deed by taking care of the home and keeping it clean. It will be interesting to see what happens…
Candy, same scam going on in Florida. At least one of the Florida men giving these "seminars" was sentenced to prison. Some of the people that took his "seminar" and moved into vacant houses were also sentenced to prison. This was reported in the Sarasota Florida newspaper last year. Haven't heard much about it since then.
Texas needs to get serious and shut these scams down as Florida's been doing.
Comparing Notes…Some people just gun for things and Do Not do their homework and thorough about whats the Right way of doing things. This man stumbled into all of this, just wanting the home not asking for all this attention and notariety,at all!
Candy, same scam going on in Florida. At least one of the Florida men giving these "seminars" was sentenced to prison. Some of the people that took his "seminar" and moved into vacant houses were also sentenced to prison. This was reported in the Sarasota Florida newspaper last year. Haven't heard much about it since then.
Texas needs to get serious and shut these scams down as Florida's been doing.
Comparing Notes…Some people just gun for things and Do Not do their homework and thorough about whats the Right way of doing things. This man stumbled into all of this, just wanting the home not asking for all this attention and notariety,at all!
I heard an interview with this man on the radio. As the cost of transportation continues to rise, outlying communities are at risk of becoming ghettoized as foreclosures rise and closer-in suburbs get preference. This fellow is willing to take a risk and good for him! This is America.
I heard an interview with this man on the radio. As the cost of transportation continues to rise, outlying communities are at risk of becoming ghettoized as foreclosures rise and closer-in suburbs get preference. This fellow is willing to take a risk and good for him! This is America.
Candy,
Please remind me why I'm current with my house payment again?
Candy,
Please remind me why I'm current with my house payment again?
After seeing foreclosure's in every price range for my video series Foreclosure Friday someone should tell the man thank you just for taking care of the place.
After seeing foreclosure's in every price range for my video series Foreclosure Friday someone should tell the man thank you just for taking care of the place.
I am afraid to leave my house to go on vacation now.
Another weird Texas scenario occurs.
Now thats Just "CRAZEEEEEEE"
I am afraid to leave my house to go on vacation now.
Another weird Texas scenario occurs.
Now thats Just "CRAZEEEEEEE"
This is an interesting case that has caused quite a stir. Why are so many people offended by someone who puts an abandoned property to its highest and best use? The rightful owners either will never be back and do not care what happens to their home, or should be grateful to Robinson for maintaining and protecting it from vandalism should they ever reclaim possession. The lender is getting the benefit of Robinson’s free cleaning, handyman and security services. And the neighborhood is spared the blight of a deteriorating eyesore. Meanwhile, Robinson is meticulously keeping house and not disturbing the pink bathrobe or other personal property left behind by the owners. He will likely never get title to the home, but may write a book or somehow capitalize on this squatting exercise (good luck with the $2,000 seminars.) Who is being harmed by this?
This is an interesting case that has caused quite a stir. Why are so many people offended by someone who puts an abandoned property to its highest and best use? The rightful owners either will never be back and do not care what happens to their home, or should be grateful to Robinson for maintaining and protecting it from vandalism should they ever reclaim possession. The lender is getting the benefit of Robinson’s free cleaning, handyman and security services. And the neighborhood is spared the blight of a deteriorating eyesore. Meanwhile, Robinson is meticulously keeping house and not disturbing the pink bathrobe or other personal property left behind by the owners. He will likely never get title to the home, but may write a book or somehow capitalize on this squatting exercise (good luck with the $2,000 seminars.) Who is being harmed by this?
Generally I don't read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.
Generally I don't read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, quite nice article.