Press Release: Ingham County Land Bank announces the first Home Showcase of 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ingham County Land Bank announces the first Home Showcase of 2011

Lansing, MI – March 22, 2011 – The Ingham County Land Bank is proud to announce their first Home Showcase of 2011. This free event will give the public a chance to tour over 20 homes in the Greater Lansing, Michigan area that have recently been renovated through the Ingham County Land Bank and their affiliate programs. Properties have been renovated to be Energy Star rated and are furnished with new appliances (including washer and dryer, water heater, range and microwave). Several are LEED certified as well.

Formerly, these properties were either abandoned or foreclosed upon and left vacant for a year or more. The Ingham County Land Bank then stepped in, purchasing the properties and renovating them through available grants. These projects help support local workers and craftsman as well as numerous local businesses involved in the renovating process. These properties are modernized with the highest standings and made affordable for any person(s) who choose to purchase the homes. The ultimate goal is to ensure that each property never has to see a vacancy, foreclosure or abandonment in the future.

With over 16,000 properties vacant in Ingham County, the Ingham County Land Bank has worked strategically to renovate these properties and address the negative effects of abandonment and foreclosure in local neighborhoods. The Ingham County Land Bank is able to refurbish these homes through accessible grants and funds made possible through both state and federal agencies. During this three (3) day event, the Home Showcase will allow the community access to tour the available properties, ask questions and place offers for purchase of the properties.

Ingham County Land Bank Home Showcase will exhibit twenty (20) beautiful properties, with realtors and Ingham County Land Bank representatives on hand to answer questions and explain all the details of each home. The locations of each property vary, but all are located within the Greater Lansing Area. The complete list of homes, as well as more details regarding the event can be found on the Ingham County Land Bank website (www.inghamlandbank.org).

The Home Showcase will be held during three days in April: Thursday, April 14, 2011 (5:00PM-8:00PM), Friday, April 15 (5:00PM-8:00PM) and Saturday, April 16 1:00PM-5:00PM. Anyone is welcome to the event and the cost of touring the properties is free.

The Ingham County Land Bank is a county authority and a strategic economic tool that supports growth and investment in our community. Land Banks were created to return tax reverted property to productive use as rapidly as possible. These reverted properties commonly come through the tax foreclosure process. A Land Bank may concentrate its efforts on an entire neighborhood that needs reinvestment. The Land Bank will buy, renovate and resell multiple properties in a designated area with a goal of owner-occupancy. Please visit www.inghamlandbank.org for more information on the Ingham County Land Bank, contractor information as well as properties and programs available.