Reply #37: Update:

[kestrel91316]

The building inspector for the buyer came today for the official inspection. My neighbor in the guest house said he was kind of a jerk (just her general impression), but he did say that ".....it'll probably be at least 6 months. We have to pull permits."

So it's going to happen. Demolition and mansionization.

My neighbor across the street is unhappy. This is a humble residential neighborhood of single-story 2- and 3-BR post WWII cracker boxes, most of which have been tastefully remodeled inside but still retain pretty much their original look outside, and the footprints are appropriate for single-family homes (sufficient yards for kids and BBQs). But lately, the trend is to purchase the property, demolish the home (no matter how large or nice) because it's "old" (sometimes only 30 yrs old) and build a "Persian Palace", usually a neorenaissance monstrosity. Always two-story with a HUGE footprint (nearly built to the lot line all around) with wall and wrought iron fencing, curved driveway taking up the ENTIRE front, tasteless architectural embellishments akin to Versailles, huge chandelier visible from the front, and of course lots of 2nd floor windows from which to peer down upon the serfs outside the palace wall. Completely out of place for the neighborhood, but the city doesn't care. They WANT the bigger homes for the higher property taxes. Oh, and these places tend to sell FAST at 1.2-1.2 million. Usually sold while under construction.

Then once the people move in, they make sure to buy their spoiled teenagers expensive new cars to race around the neighborhood in, with boomboxes blaring. And I don't know a soul who has ever spoken to an owner of these sort of homes. They DO NOT associate in any way with neighbors. Not like it is now, where we chat over the back fence or borrow the proverbial cup of sugar.

So my neighbor grumbled about how that's the LAST thing he wants across the street from him. Oh well. Progress...........