I've heard and read bout properties in Detroit, Michigan, US, being abandoned and then offered for sale (via foreclosure) by the city for as little as $500 (US dollars of course). It may seem an amazing deal, like winning a lottery, to someone who never thought they could have a home of their own, or for those who think to buy them, fix them up, and then flip/sell them to someone else.

Myself being someone who would love to find a home, a place I could live in and feel I finally have a home... this would sound like a dream come true. But, as so many things are too good to be true, this is yet another of them.

Plus, being Canadian there would be other difficulties and risks involved in buying and owning property in a foreign country. Add to that the tariff thing with the US now. I don't know how that would work. Or the issue of crossing the border multiple times, and immigration to move there from Canada. The list of problems can grow pretty fast.

Demolishing dilapidated properties and building from the ground up can be cheaper than rehabbing. But some buyers choose renovation to save historic architectural details found in much of Detroit’s early 20th-century housing stock: turrets, gingerbread trim, pillars and antique woodwork amid broken windows and sagging rooftops.

Duong bought a house in Detroit for $1,100 and spent $100,000 on roofing, wiring, plumbing, appliances, drywall, flooring, and new bathrooms and kitchens. He speaks reverently of preserving the 100-year-old maple floors, and wanted a quality renovation to attract good tenants. It’s located in a privately patrolled neighbourhood near a hospital, so he sees it as a good investment.

But beware of hidden costs and scams. Properties may come with liens, water bills and back taxes totalling thousands of dollars, in addition to renovation costs. It’s also not unusual to hear of homes sold to buyers in other states and countries, with purchase prices rising with every flip. Check with your accountant or tax lawyer; a Canadian purchase and sale might bring taxes that would cut in to any profit.

Original link to the quoted part of this is broken.

Other issues:

• Squatters or people who were tenants while the original owner had the property. Squatters and angry or frustrated tenants could not only be a legal hassle but cause a lot of damage just because they don't care and don't have to worry about what shape the house is in.
• Looting, vandalism and salvagers, or just plain thieves. Salvagers are looking for freebies they can take from old buildings and resell to customers elsewhere. I don't know what percentage of them are all that ethical that they don't remove items (including big things from the structure like fireplaces, staircases, windows, flooring, copper pipes) from a building which hasn't had an owner present for awhile, or even a short enough time to seem like a good risk versus reward. Of course, vandalism and looters are self explanatory.
• Timing. The city has a time limit set for these houses to be renovated and lived in, or sold to someone who lives in them. The city does not want yet more absentee landlords or owners for a property which has already been vacant and left to deteriorate. A bit more time is given for historical properties but how much benefit is that - an historical property will have more standards set for what is and is not allowed and need more time.
• City services may be cut off. Not just from your property but the entire street. It helps if you buy in an area where at least most of the other properties are not abandoned. Even so, an area which is in financial hardship may not have the budget to provide stellar services to the city. You could be in for more issues with spotty service which would affect your renovations as well as living there.
• Having a budget for unexpected expenses. Not just for the renovations, but surprise taxes, or fees, or... well the unexpected.

Overall, I think keeping your $500 US, would be a safer plan. I sometimes look at properties here in Ontario, in small towns and see what comes up in a cost range I can manage, somewhat. Usually these need a lot of renovations. But, now and then they are in good shape, just outdated looking. I can live with an outdated, less trendy or fashionable house. If it is in good shape I can gradually update it cosmetically, or just not worry about it. Cosmetic things would make more difference in reselling the house. If I'm planning to live in it, which I would prefer, then the cosmetic things are secondary.

I'm interested in Ontario history, including our rural heritage. (I volunteer with Ontario Barn Preservation).

Today I found several links about heritage apples, forgotten apple varieties and trees in Ontario, and information about pruning and growing trees from the seeds of the old apples you might find on a road trip here and there.

My Mother and Grandparents talk about the apples they used to have for making pies and wonder where they could still find those now. They don't see them sold in farmer's markets and certainly not in stores any more.

I found a few good links and then this book, by Sher Leetooze, "Identifying Heritage Apples Across Ontario". I bought a copy of the book. I'm hoping it will include greening apples. A variety my Mother mentions every year. She remembers them being the first, early apples available each year. They grow (grew) here in Ontario but we haven't found any yet.

Orchard People

The Kitchen Orchard

The Ontario Heritage and Feral Apple Project

Pick some wild apples this year. You could even try planting some of the old trees seldom seen any more. Give them a chance to get a new start and have apples close at hand when you get into pie making mode.