Seven months after citing an uncommon application of the law of adverse possession and moving into an abandoned suburban homestead in Flower Mound, Ken Robinson is on his way out. At a hearing this morning regarding his recent eviction notice, a Flower Mound judge ruled that Robinson, who did not appear in court, must either appeal by next Monday or vacate the Waterford Drive property.
"If they are the true owners, then you're supposed to give it up anyway," Robinson says. Bank of America produced a deed proving ownership at this morning's hearing, according to The Dallas Morning News, and Robinson tells Unfair Park he will not appeal because he doesn't feel that the law is on his side.
"I'm just thankful for Flower Mound and Denton County for following the proper lawful procedures," Robinson says. "I went in doing this strictly by following a lawful process." And now that the process has played itself out, he says, "I'm neither happy nor disappointed."
Robinson's already moved out most of his belongings. "I've got about two or three items left," he says. Asked whether he'll take the pool table the previous owners left in the home, Robinson didn't have a clear answer. "What's that got to do with the process? ... It's still up in the air," he says.
Coining his maneuver with the same verbiage as always, Robinson says, "It was just a simple real estate transaction. In itself, I think it was a very successful transaction." Had it not been for the media attention, he says, he may have been able to hold onto the home longer, perhaps long enough to eventually acquire the deed under the law of adverse possession.
"I think without the interference, I would have been there long enough to challenge for the title," he says. "You call it attention, I call it interference."
He's lived and learned, he says, but he doesn't regret moving into the home. "I'm absolutely happy I did it, simply because it was unknown to me. Now I know; now I understand it. Hey, anytime you get to grow in this world we live in, you should."
So, where's he moving now?
"I'm not going to disclose that at all," he says.
Will he live elsewhere in Flower Mound?
"I'm not going to disclose that at all."
Is he adversely possessing another home?
"I'm not going to disclose that at all."
And just like that, Robinson is bowing out of the media spotlight that's shined on him since summer for his crafty real estate transaction. Only time, and perhaps property records or disgruntled neighbors, will tell whether there will be a next chapter to the story of The Man With The $16 House.
