Family gets new house after tragedies and foreclosure
Real Estate News from the We Buy Houses Team
LAKE ORION — A year and a day after the tragic loss of two teenaged sons, Cliff and Vicki Schrauger accepted the keys to their new home in Newton Meadows subdivision Tuesday.
The family was given the split level two-story home, fully furnished and mortgage free, with the help of Oakland County Executive L. Brook Patterson who was touched by the families tragedy at a time when the Schrauger lost their home to foreclosure. The couple’s third son was seriously injured serving the country in Iraq.
“Everything is so beautiful,” said Vicki Schrauger, walking through the home. “We are so blessed.”
The ground breaking for the 1,800-square-foot project began in December 2007. The three-bedroom home has 2 ½ baths, full basement, hardwood floors and granite counter tops. Forrest Milzow, who was in charge of the building with Milzow Building Company, said he would sell such a home for $240,000 but crews put in much more work.
“No one should experience the kind of personal loss this family has,” Patterson said. “And then to lose your house on top of that is almost too much to bear. The community was extremely generous, embracing the Schraugers and helping give them a fresh start when they needed it most. Everyone associated with this project should be proud.”
Brothers Joshua, 17, and Timothy, 14, were killed in a traffic accident in Clinton County on September 29, 2007. Both boys were students at Lake Orion High School. David, 24, a U.S. Army specialist, was seriously injured when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle. He suffered leg, arm, spine and lung injuries. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries since the incident and was present during Tuesday’s ceremony.
About 300 donors contributed to the project, including Art Van that furnished the entire home, which was not paid for through taxpayer money.