My landlady stopped by today to tell me that they’ve put my building up for sale.
My childhood was pretty nomadic – I’ve lived in this place longer than I’ve ever lived anywhere before. This is the first place I’ve ever had that truly was a home. My home.
Now, it’s for sale and I’m helpless. All I can do is sit and wait to see what happens.
Given the frenzy with which developers are covering Hollywood in “luxury loft condos” it’s highly unlikely that it’s not going to get torn down.
Although I’m not sure there would have been a good time for this, I can’t really think of a worse one.
Filed under: Non-Work, cry, heartbroken, home, hurt, sad, sale
Totally Unauthorized 
I’m sorry to hear that. That’s got to be a big blow to you, and you’re right. This must be the worst time to have this happen.
It’s okay. The new condo market is in a freefall crash. New construction projects just aren’t happening like they were. You’ve got plenty of time… if things at your building change much at all, it won’t be soon.
Take a breath. Chill. Cook. Surf the internets. Ride ur bike. Take a wet couch picture. You’re going to be okay.
And if you live in WeHo and they decide to evict in order to tear down or move in there is always this:
http://tinyurl.com/2pf7su
They have to pay to make you move, and you’ll get more money if you’re still unemployed.
Something similar is true for LA. If the place goes condo, they may have to pay you a relocation fee. Check into your options, call the local renters association, maybe talk to a lawyer. Owners aren’t exactly fond of paying the fees, but you may be able to force them to do so.
That bites. I don’t really see a tear-down at this point, though, given what the markets are going to do for the next year. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, just the same.
I can’t believe you have yet another worry. I’m hoping that what the posters before me said is true, and hopefully it won’t be disaster.
*wafting happy vibes*
Keep breathing!
Mark is right. As a landlord, I’m somewhat in tune with the
market for condo conversion teardowns. It’s pretty much cratered. So that leaves a simple sale based upon it’s value as an income producing apartment building. If you live within the city limits of Los Angeles or West Hollywood, you are protected from rent increases beyond the annual allowable, which stands at 5% this year and you can not be evicted without just cause. My guess is that you really don’t have much to worry about beyond perhaps having a landlord you dislike more than your current landlord.
Sorry to hear about this, and I hope Craig’s right. A good friend of mine just moved in LA, the housing situation sounds pretty scary just now with mortgages and stuff. Finges crossed it all works out for you
Okay – bright side. Right now you have time to go through you stuff and consider what you really want to move it if comes to that – vs trying to fit it in after a 16 hour day on the set. Sounds like a good time for a garage sale. Or a Craig’s List sale.
Listen to Craig – sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. “Worry is the interest you pay on a debt you may never incur” It’s trite, but it contains a grain of truth. Any changes in your living arrangements that may occur are months and months in the future. Focus on the here and now and work on the things that demand your immediate attention and leave tomorrow’s possible problems until tomorrow.
Hey – that philosophy has gotten me through nearly 45 years, and I’m still standing. Buck up kid! The Karmic wheel is always turning and you’re due for a good streak any day now!
No chipper calls to up your chin or stiffen your lip from my seat in your peanut gallery. Instead I’ll just say hang in there. I’m a pretty firm believer that one is never given more than one can handle, and from what I sense you can handle much more than the average bear.
Hey, another nomadic childhood! My husband (the grip, you know who he is, but for those who don’t) lived in fifteen places before we got married. My family also moved around a lot, and I have two brothers in the business. I have met a bunch of people over the years who work BTL who had rootless childhoods. Coincidence? Yeah maybe. Here’s another vote for hanging in there. As Mao said, it’s always darkest before it goes completely black. Okay, I don’t know if he really said that, but I heard it and thought it was funny.
It’s easy for those of us not in your situation — yet — to say don’t worry, but I think the previous replies are right. Loans to buy, tear down, and build are going to be hard to get for a while. The economy is plummeting, foreclosures are skyrocketing, and money is tighter Mitt Romney’s hair.
We haven’t begun to see the end of the sub-prime loan crisis, nor the depths to which the economy might sink. Putting a building up for sale is one thing — selling it in today’s market is something else.
Such news is always upsetting, though, regardless of any mitigating circumstances. The knowledge that forces beyond your control are actively working to turn your world upside-down would threaten anyone’s sense of well-being, especially when your income depends on an industry currently paralyzed by the strike. It sucks, Peg. The last thing those of us who work in such an uncertain industry need is yet more uncertaintly, and I know this must feel like some cosmic sword of Damocles dangling over your head.
I think the others are right — you’ve got some time — so take it as it comes, one day after the next. And don’t forget to breathe…
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
Ahem… that should read: “…tighter THAN Mitt Romney’s hair…”
Proof reading remains my own personal bete noir.
Further correction – didn’t you mean “Tighter than Mitt Romney’s asshole”?
I am LOL. Between my quote, which I have now found was mis-attributed to Mao by McCain (!!!) and Michael using a Romney image, you’d think we were a buncha Republicans (not there’s anything WRONG with Republicans-my mom was a diehard Goldwater fan.) Hee hee hee.
JCW — excellent point. I stand corrected… again.
While I agree it “might” be hard to get a sale.. real estate is always a micro-climate. If you are in a desirable area.. things are still selling. And just a word for the wise. When housing prices tank – rental prices spike. If I were in your place, I would want to know quickly if I had to move. I hope you don’t – but you should get an idea what rents are going for now.
In the bay area – landlords are basically able to set their own price to rent a place right now. A friend just a her friend had a house on the rental market, and they got 27 offers to rent it in a short time. That is highly unusual. People still have to live somewhere – and right now.. they are renting.
As always. I hope things work out for you.