Demolish or repair? DFW-based real estate investor faces tough decision after 4th Abilene house fire

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC ) – A Fort Worth-based real estate investor who owns multiple properties in Abilene has lost four of those properties to fires just since 2021. Three have been demolished, and the Abilene Board of Building Standards suggests the fourth incinerated property should be demolished as well due to it being a safety threat. Now, this owner has 30 days to appeal that decision or else see another one of his properties demolished.

“This is the fourth house that I got to endure being burnt. Don’t know what caused this one. The other three were caused by homeless people,” Guy Shaver, the real estate investor, addressed Abilene’s Board of Building Standards.

Shaver’s fourth property to burn down did so in last July on Sycamore Street. Since then, the home was declared a nuisance, public hazard, and inadequate sanitation by the Abilene Code of Building Standards. However, the homeowner said he received an insurance payout for those damages and was working towards fixing the front end of the home that caught fire.

“They gave me a verbal, not written, estimate between 20 and $25,000… I’d rather do that than lose the $70-75,000 dollar home,” said Shaver.

Shaver added that the reason why the home has been left in disrepair for so long is because some homeless people took over after the fire, “Tough neighborhood. We know that it’s close to the Salvation Army.”

However, realtor and neighbor for nearly a decade, Debra Jones told the Abilene Board of Building Standards the home needs to be demolished as soon as possible.

“The longer it sits there, the more vagrants it attaches. As Mr. Shaver has said, Goodwill is two streets over and they are attracted to this place. I would advocate, after watching the traffic that goes on Mr. Shavers property for nine years, if you pull up a police record; sex offenders, drug users- the type of tenants that dwell there make it a rough neighborhood,” Jones addressed the board.

Although Shaver expressed intent to repair the fire damages, Jones accused the property owner that multiple of his homes are in inadequate conditions.

“If he repairs this property to the level of his other properties, then he’s devaluing the properties in the surrounding neighborhood,” added Jones, calling this home an ‘aggravation to the neighborhood.’

Shaver told KTAB/KRBC he is unsure on his decision right now. He has until April 6 to decide whether he will repair the property to good standing, or if he will allow it to be demolished.

“Is it worth going through the hassle to have another vacant home that is worth $70,000, and try to sell that? Knowing it has damage, I have so many issues with them, it’s easier to just let them scrape it,” Shaver closed.

Follow this link for additional details about the March 6 Board of Building Standards meeting.

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