January 22, 2001

Mrs. Marie Mahon
132 Stratford Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Marie,

I was surprised to learn that prior to the most recent Sheriff's Sale, you paid the $11,000 fine and thus retained ownership of the house at 150. I hope that you decided to pay the fine in anticipation of selling the house, and encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

As you well know, there has been a $50,000 judgement against you and the property. Since the City Law Department has learned that you are not quite so indigent as you have portrayed, but indeed quite collectable, the City intends to go after that judgement as well. As the enclosed memo indicates, the property will likely be up for Sheriff's Sale again in May.

Marie, as you know I have not pried, I have never even asked about your financial situation. I assumed that your failure to make even the most modest and urgently needed repairs, and your failure to pay your workmen for work done, was due to financial distress. It saddens me to think of the useful work that could have been done for $11,000, money that you have instead chosen to pay in fines.

Now, perhaps you can again dig deep into that mattress for another $50,000, and buy yourself a few more months. If you do, I can assure you that the City's Bureau of Building Inspection will show renewed zeal for enforcing the building codes, and Housing Court will show slight sympathy to the plight of someone who would rather pay fines than make needed repairs.

It is quite clear that the City intends to see this issue resolved. I, along with many others, hope that the house can be saved. For this to happen, it is clear that a new owner must be found. We sincerely hope that you take this, your last opportunity, to sell the house before the legal processes take it from you. But you must act quickly, as the process is in motion for the City to collect the $50,000 fine.

If you do not sell it soon, the day will come when you will receive notice that the $50,000 judgement has been filed as a lien, and that the property is again to be scheduled for Sheriff's Sale. If that happens, then this, your last chance to sell the house at a gain, will be lost. You cannot expect to sell the house for anywhere near the $60,000 it will have cost you to buy another chance. A much more reasonable price would be the recently appraised $20,100, but of course I encourage you to seek the best offer you can as soon as possible.

Finally, if you decide to wait, when the notice comes in March, please, do not pay the $50,000 fine. Even if you have the money, do not pay it, you will never recover your losses, and you will need that money in your later years. If you cannot bring yourself to sell the house now, then let the Sheriff's Sale proceed, and let the house be saved.