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Land Bank pushes to speed property sales; solicitor outlines quiet-title backlog and quicker options
Summary
Board discussed recent closings, pending sales and a backlog of quiet-title actions; solicitor said quitclaim deeds can speed transfer for some lots and the board agreed to ask realtors to prepare sales agreements to reduce closing delays.
The Erie Land Bank told its board July 21 that it is accelerating property turnarounds and looking for operational changes to shave weeks off sales transactions, as the solicitor described a backlog of quiet-title actions and recommended faster alternatives for low-value lots.
Solictor Gene (last name not recorded on the meeting transcript) told the board quiet-title work has grown more complex when prior owners die and estates are not opened. That has required the land bank to locate and serve heirs, prolonging title clearance. Gene said many cases can be handled more cheaply — for some lots a quitclaim deed obtained from an heir is faster and less expensive than a full quiet-title lawsuit; he said roughly 30% of owners contacted agree to execute quitclaim deeds in his recent experience.
The executive director, Aaron, and staff reported several property-sale statuses: one closing on Cameron Road closed June 27 but the funds posted in July and will appear on July financials; the Vermont lot was scheduled to close the week of the meeting; a Locust Street sale is awaiting a subdivision survey; and three properties tied to an Archbishop Brock transaction had not closed and communication with the buyer had slowed while the buyer considers monthly management fees and a $10,000 escrow requirement.
Solictor and staff also discussed a subdivision at Ninth and Cherry Street that neighbors have agreed to fund; the solicitor said a recordable subdivision should be complete by September. Solicitor Gene said attorney Jeremy Toman of the Knox firm represents developer Steve Lewis on an adjacent contracting/development project; Lewis is seeking a construction loan from Marquette, and the land bank’s counsel and developer counsel have been coordinating to move that project forward.
Board members focused on process bottlenecks. Several suggested that, when a realtor brings an acceptable offer and collects a deposit, the realtor should also prepare the sales agreement immediately rather than leaving agreement drafting to staff or counsel, which can add three to five weeks. Board members and counsel agreed to ask the listing agent to prepare the buyer-facing sales agreement so counsel can begin work as soon as a signed contract is submitted.
The board also discussed sidewalks and demolitions: staff said a recent wave of demolitions meant the land bank will evaluate whether lots should be sold as side-lots to neighbors or retained for development; sidewalk replacement will be scheduled for lots expected to remain as long-term side-lots, but the land bank will avoid replacing sidewalks when a property is likely to be developed soon.
No formal board action was required on the operational changes during the meeting; staff said they will adjust marketing agreements and procedures to reduce delays and continue quiet-title work with an emphasis on cost-effective quitclaims where appropriate.
