City of Euclid open house tour unveils first two rehabilitated homes
The city of Euclid has completed a comprehensive rehabilitation of two formerly vacant and abandoned foreclosed houses located at 324 East 195th Street and 21700 Priday Avenue. The properties were renovated using Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The federal NSP funds were awarded to the city of Euclid to help address the negative effects of such abandoned, vacant, and foreclosed properties in the community.
An open house tour of the completed houses was held in early December; it was open to the public and well attended by nearby residents, city, county and federal officials. With the completion of the homes, a request for proposals was issued to retain real estate brokers to represent the city as listing agents in the sale of the houses. Annabelle Neshkin, of ReMax Real Estate Experts, presented the house at 324 East 195th Street and Lenny Vaccaro, of Howard Hanna, presented the house at 21700 Priday Avenue.
The renovated homes were well-received by those who attended the open house, particularly those that had seen the properties before renovation began. A highlight of the tour at East 195th Street was attendance by former owners who lived in the house years ago. They returned to the neighborhood to get an opportunity to see the house they occupied for nearly 14 years. They were impressed with the finished product and the changes that had been made to add modern amenities to the home.
“The two houses featured have undergone a dramatic transformation through the rehabilitation process,” according to Mayor Bill Cervenik. “Each house has received extensive exterior and interior renovation using high quality materials. The homes are also more energy efficient with new insulation, energy star rated windows, doors, and appliances, as well as a high efficiency furnace and hot water tank. Interior renovation included new kitchens, baths, floor covering, light fixtures and paint throughout. On the exterior, new roofing, siding, basement waterproofing, and concrete driveways & walkways complete the renovation.”
Work has also begun on the rehabilitation of the house at 27348 Oak Court. This property will be the first to be rehabilitated for maximum accessibility and visit-ability to address the needs of handicapped or wheelchair-bound persons that desire to own their own home.
The city of Euclid has acquired additional properties under the NSP program, and plans to rehabilitate a total of 25 to 30 houses in the coming months, in addition to the two featured in the open house tour. The future renovations will all include a similar level of improvements. “When each house is done, it will be virtually brand new inside and out,” stated Marty Castelletti, program manager.
The completed homes will be offered for sale by the city. After these initial houses are rehabilitated and sold, proceeds from sales will be used to continue NSP eligible activities throughout Euclid. The city will also assist first-time homebuyers with down payment assistance when purchasing any house. For more information about the down payment assistance loan, please contact Euclid Development Corporation (EDCOR) at (216) 289-4625.
As part of the marketing program for the sale of the completed homes, Euclid is nearing completion of a video documentary about the NSP program. Residents who are potentially interested in the purchase of these homes are encouraged to check the ECTV schedule for broadcasting times of this documentary. The show will not only offer the opportunity to learn more about the city of Euclid Neighborhood Stabilization Program, but will also provide a firsthand look at the complete rehabilitation, from start to finish, of the house at 324 East 195th Street. The program is expected to begin airing over the next few weeks.
For pricing information or to view the completed houses, contact Annabelle Neshkin, (440) 255-6505 for 324 East 195th Street, or Lenny Vaccaro, (216) 731-9500 for 21700 Priday Avenue, to schedule an appointment.
For general information about the city of Euclid NSP housing related activities, including a list of additional homes currently under renovation, visit the city of Euclid website or contact the program manager, Marty Castelletti at (216) 289-8141 or via email at mcastelletti@cityofeuclid.com.