HAZLETON -- Hazleton is trying to make the city a nicer place to live. It's buying foreclosed homes, remodeling them, and putting the homes up for sale.
Welcome to the newest home on East Cranberry Street. Hazleton officials say the placed used to be a dump and was in foreclosure, but thanks to some federal grant money, the city was able to buy the home, renovate it and put it back on the market.
It's part of the government's neighborhood stabilization program.
But the catch involves who can buy the home once it's been fixed up. Buyers have to be considered low-income, but must have excellent credit.
"It narrows the market down to a real small amount of people that we can sell these houses to and they're beautiful homes," said Hazleton Mayor Joe Yannuzzi.
So far, the city has remodeled four houses. One was sold, one is in closing, and the other two are still vacant.
The city has to pay to maintain the empty houses, but the mayor says once someone is in the place, the grant money helps them stay in it.
"We also take them and teach them how to do their finances so they can make the payments."
A place on East Walnut Street is one of the homes the city bought, renovated, and sold. The woman who now lives in the home says she's happy to have her own place, but she's also run into a lot of problems.
"I'm happy with it. I love it, but I have a lot of work ahead of me that I have to do. I'm on disability and I only make so much money a month," said Jean McLaughlin.
McLaughlin paid $35,000 for the place about two years ago. Since then, she says she's had issues with the chimney, the sidewalks, and the basement.
McLaughlin doesn't regret buying the home, but says she wishes she had done more research.
Because she's part of the grant, she has to stay there a while.
"I have to live here six years until I can either sell it or rent it."
The city says it's up to the home buyer to get a home inspection and if something goes wrong, that is the new homeowner's responsibility.