Collateral Damage of Foreclosure

[Orrymain]

Here in my part of the world, there is a lot of concern about the collateral damage of foreclosures. With so many homes virtually abandoned now, it is inviting both crime and fire hazards to areas that normally wouldn't have such concerns. Over the 4th of July, that was a big topic of conversation, and the fire department was actually advising citizens to watch out for those homes to make sure fires didn't start there. The properties aren't necessarily being kept up anymore, and that just attracts an unwanted element.

Is this happening in your neck of the woods?

[anthonyrodrigues]

Hi
You are not clear with your thoughts, will you give more information. So I can help you out in this matter.

[mandiees]

Originally Posted by Orrymain

Here in my part of the world, there is a lot of concern about the collateral damage of foreclosures. With so many homes virtually abandoned now, it is inviting both crime and fire hazards to areas that normally wouldn't have such concerns. Over the 4th of July, that was a big topic of conversation, and the fire department was actually advising citizens to watch out for those homes to make sure fires didn't start there. The properties aren't necessarily being kept up anymore, and that just attracts an unwanted element.

Is this happening in your neck of the woods?

Same thing is happening out here in San Diego. I just recently moved myself, but I used to live right outside the city limits in Lemon Grove, and foreclosures were a major problem for us and the neighbors. Some of the people had left their pools to fester and others had squatters move in. The foreclosure crisis really had a terrible impact on the neighborhood, and it has been in decline ever since - which is part of the reason we left!

[Orrymain]

And that brings up another issue that they are talking about a lot -- the west nile virus because pools are being left to sit in these foreclosed homes. No one is taking care of them, and that means the pools become... well, disgusting, and it invites the mosquitos that bring the possibility of west nile. I wish there was a solution, but I don't see the banks paying for upkeep, though you think they would. Who is going to buy a home with a festered pool?

[mandiees]

Originally Posted by Orrymain

And that brings up another issue that they are talking about a lot -- the west nile virus because pools are being left to sit in these foreclosed homes. No one is taking care of them, and that means the pools become... well, disgusting, and it invites the mosquitos that bring the possibility of west nile. I wish there was a solution, but I don't see the banks paying for upkeep, though you think they would. Who is going to buy a home with a festered pool?

Yeah, there was a feature on the news the other evening regarding that same issue. Apparently now helicopters are flying around So Cal areas to spot these disease pools and alert lenders to their condition. I would think the only logical solution would be to fill them in, the lenders sure as heck are not going to put money out to fix them!

[Orrymain]

That's drastic, but might happen. They could just drain them, but that's a danger for curious kids, of course.

[elvenrunelord]

I think we will see governmental take over of housing in the future like we are seeing with banking now. If the companies don't want to keep their property up then take it and give it to a family that will. problem solved on both ends. A homeless family gets a home and the company does not have to worry about doing their duty to the community.

[Orrymain]

well the homeless family would have to be able to take care of the property and maintain the upkeep; for a pool, that's expensive. Not sure what the answer; no objection to giving folks a place to live, but they need to be able to bring in income for the upkeep or perhaps some kind of financial assistance for that part of it.