Estelle Cade: Homeowner rights diminishing for ‘ordinary people’

I must agree with columnist Al Norman’s Nov. 20 column [“Wall Street landlords are coming to our zip code”]. He often has first-hand knowledge that I do not, but I can tell that “outsiders” of some sort are moving into this area, simply by following the real estate transfers.

Haven’t you noticed how many buyers are listed as LLC? Those letters show that the buyer is not necessarily one local entity, but someone who will proceed to take over that particular piece or pieces of property and turn it into something quite different. Perhaps an Airbnb; perhaps making a large single-family home into yet another cramped rental, one bedroom, no closets, turning a pleasant residential area to something less. Just read those property sales, you will see.

As for ADUs, keeping the “must be owner occupied” clause only makes sense. Otherwise, those Wall Street landlords, mentioned by Norman, could have free rein here, taking away any control the homeowner would have, concerning who could live there. “Ordinary people” seem to have fewer and fewer rights.

No longer a homeowner, but having serious thoughts about the future of Greenfield and its environs.

Estelle Cade

Greenfield