Flint Homeowners Unsure About Their Future After Hostile Real Estate Takeover

Imagine finding out the house you've owned for decades has been sold and you have no idea where you'll be living. It's happening right now in the city of Flint.

Flint Resident's Home Sold Without His Knowledge

J.D. Smith's home is one of roughly 200 homes in the city of Flint that have been auctioned off and sold to out-of-state investor To Life Real Estate. The hostile takeover occurred in September and Smith found out about the deal when a representative knocked on his door and told him he'd have to start paying rent.

But Smith tells WNEM that he paid off his home in 2016.

“He said, ‘Your house has been sold,’ and I said, ‘What do you mean my house has been sold?’ He said, ‘If you still want to stay in it, you’ve got to rent it, at least $600 a month,’ I said, ‘What are you talking about man? I’ve been here 30 years.’ He said. ‘Well, you don’t own the house no more.’"

Smith goes on to say that he fell behind on his taxes about three years ago after his wife passed away. He thought family members were able to work out a payment plan for the back taxes, but found out that wasn't the case.

Flint Mayor Advocates for Legal Representation

Mayor Sheldon Neeley has proposed that Flint City Council allocate $50,000 toward legal representation for Smith and other residents who could be displaced by the real estate takeover.

The council has yet to approve that proposal.

At this point, it's unclear where Smith and dozens of other Flint residents displaced by the deal will live.