Auburn council approves sale of four tax-foreclosed homes with renovation conditions

The Auburn City Council on Feb. 6 approved four land-sale resolutions to sell tax-foreclosed residential properties, three to Housing Visions Consultants Inc. for $5,000 each and one to Brandon Mallory for $40,000, with conditions that buyers obtain permits within 30 days, complete renovations by specified deadlines and accept a revisionary clause that returns title to the city if conditions are not met.

Council action returned four parcels to private ownership while imposing timelines and reversion rights intended to ensure rehabilitation and return of the properties to the tax rolls.

During the meeting Mayor James N. Genentino Jr and City staff described the city’s shift from open auction sales toward listing foreclosed properties with a contracted real-estate agent to give the city more control over buyers and post-sale conditions. Jennifer Haines, city manager, said the city now requires buyers to pull permits within 30 days of closing and to complete renovations by set deadlines; failure to meet those conditions will trigger an automatic reversion of title to the city.

The four approved resolutions were: Land Sale Resolution No. 10 of 2025 (19–21 Venice Street) sold to Housing Visions Consultants Inc. for $5,000; Land Sale Resolution No. 11 of 2025 (17–19 Derby Ave) sold to Housing Visions Consultants Inc. for $5,000; Land Sale Resolution No. 12 of 2025 (41…