Vandalism to foreclosed houses-

[DaisyMae]

People are even pulling wiring out (copper especially), appliances, water heaters, etc- are they ever chased down by the forelcosed house buyer or the lender? I see alot of this stuff on home channels, people that buy fixer uppers, etc

[chloe0724]

I don't have to watch the home channel. 1 & 3 homes in my zip code are a forclosure. It's horrible. Everywhere you see homes with the paper in the window and grass 3 feet high.

[DaisyMae]

I meant people that buy foreclosed houses.

They are all vanadlized/trashed by the people that live there, before they leave.

[justbroke]

They are all vanadlized/trashed by the people that live there, before they leave.

I can believe this. My pure WAG, but I would think that 50% of it is the previous homeowner, and 50% vandals / copper thieves.

[LAA17]

We just rented a home that was built in 2007, but never been lived in. Vandals/theives broke in to it a few months ago and stole the ceiling fans, some of the light fixtures, the kitchen range and broke a window. Pretty lousy, but it's happening everywhere it seems.

The owner, of course, has fixed and replaced everything and was willing to accept a lessor amount of rent just to get someone in the place. So, we got a good deal.

[JRScott]

As economic times get worse, this will probably become more common. As neighbors we should be aware of our neighbors and their homes. If we see something unusual we should contact police or the neighbor as our gut tells us.

For example if you know the neighbor is gone on vacation and someones taking their range out that's unusual.....

We even have to be aware of vacant homes and such, remember if they'll steal from those it is just a step up to steal from you.

[b_girl]

ITA. We have a vacant home next to us which has been empty for 4 years...we guard it like our own. I confront anyone I see on the place and call the police if they won't leave. The owner reports nothing stolen so far...he doesn't even lock the place (but it is a serious fixer-upper).

[chloe0724]

The house next door was forclosued on and someone broke into it. My husband noticed the screens had been slashed. We called the police. They looked inside and said nothing had been destroyed. They said a lot of times the homeowners break back in becasue they forgot something. It's really sad.

[debtmonster]

I don't have to watch the home channel. 1 & 3 homes in my zip code are a forclosure. It's horrible. Everywhere you see homes with the paper in the window and grass 3 feet high.

Why can't the banks pay for a lawn service twice per week? That's sad.

The property across the street from me is empty. Without anybody asking, I mow the lawn periodically because I have to see the house every time I open my front door. It's not going to kill me to use a buck's worth of gasoline to cut the yard every now and then. I want anyone going by to think the property is being lived in.

We all should do this. It will confuse the potential thieves.

[banca rotta]

Why can't the banks pay for a lawn service twice per week? That's sad.

The property across the street from me is empty. Without anybody asking, I mow the lawn periodically because I have to see the house every time I open my front door. It's not going to kill me to use a buck's worth of gasoline to cut the yard every now and then. I want anyone going by to think the property is being lived in.

We all should do this. It will confuse the potential thieves.

Not only is it a good idea to keep the rats out but it will attract home buyers when things turn around and they will turn around.

We need more neighbors like you.

[debtmonster]

I do it because it doesn't take long, plus I need the exercise.