Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/147897
Sarasota News Leader August 2, 2013 Page 24 ered with the blue tarp, are an impediment to A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY the neighborhood's turnaround — even as the It took some time for the full depth of the Bobrest of the Sarasota area's real estate market ka/Adams conspiracy to come to light. rebounds. Josh Sankes said when he and his wife moved "I joke that someone can put up a sign at the into his home on North Holiday Drive in 2010, end of the street that reads: 'House for Sale. he knew the area had seen some turnover, beYour Choice,'" Gerkin said last week during cause he had found several short-sale listings. an interview with The Sarasota News Leader. However, he saw no indications at the time "That's how bad it is." that some of the former residents had been involved in a massive home-flipping conspiracy. Gerkin added that she is frustrated and just wants to see her neighborhood filled with Even when Sankes began to hear stories, he well-kept, occupied homes — not dotted with did not dwell on them. For Sale signs. "I didn't really think much of it," Sankes said. "There were all these rumors, but I didn't un"We have some people on the street who rederstand the whole thing until I read about it ally do care, and we just want it to look nice," in the paper," he added. Gerkin said. There is no neighborhood association for Gerkin notes that other neighborhoods North Holiday Drive. But since some of the throughout the county were hit first by the empty homes have new owners, Sankes and real estate crash then, more recently, by price Gerkin have talked about re-establishing one inflation. But her community is unique be- that was active about 10 years ago. Sankes, cause of its ties to fraud from the recent boom who has two young children, would like to see more families move in. times. "The area was in the heart of the Adams/Bobka flipping scandal, and we have watched the value of our neighborhood decline, even though the taxes are quite high," Gerkin wrote in a July 22 email to county commissioners. Gerkin has called the county's Code Enforcement Office a few times after some of the yards in front of her neighborhood's vacant properties have become overgrown. She said county officials have been helpful, but there is only so much Code Enforcement can do. "Right now there is a lot of uncertainty," Sankes said. "I think once some of these houses get sold, it will be a different story." "We are trying to make it a nice place for families to live," Sankes pointed out, "a normal, nice neighborhood." But for the time being, Sankes said he is just waiting for new owners to move into the vacant houses. "Living on the water, you don't expect this," he added. %