San Joaquin Homes Community Blog

REALTOR® associations in states whose lawmakers are looking at eminent domain legislation can help shape the debate by weighing in on blight: What is it and when does a taking make sense? Some core principles from an NAR-commissioned study: Define blight based on safety hazards and other physical deficiencies of housing, not intangible matters like absentee owners; don’t broad-brush areas as blighted — rather, require each parcel in an area to be evaluated individually; the more directly eminent domain authority is exercised by a legislative body, rather than an unelected entity, the better; require government to show substantial evidence of blight before taking land; and allow for flexibility in judicial review of any blight determination. The principles were identified in a 50-state analysis of blight statutes NAR plans to release this fall.          Published in Realtor Magazine September 2007

Norbert's question:  How do you define blight in your neighborhood?