Vacant and Abandoned Homes: Preventing the Few From Affecting the Many

Some areas in the U.S. have not been as hard-hit by the foreclosure crises as others. Recently, however, when the topic of vandalism has been raising its head all over the country for Realtors. How can neighborhoods and vacating homeowners can safeguard empty homes? When homes sit unoccupied for long periods of time, it seems they become targets for vandals. The result? Either costly repairs have to be done or the house gets sold in disrepair, or “as is” – something that can only add to values plummeting in a given neighborhood.

In a recent Wall Street Journal Market Watch article by Ruth Mantell, advice was given to homeowners trying to get their homes sold more quickly by San Diego real estate agent Gary Kent. “Residents could band together to watch out for a property, he suggests. “They could try forming a little neighborhood watch where people watch over that house to make sure there's no vandalism, no squatters trying to move in, and to keep people from stealing the fixtures of the home," he said.

He adds, “Banks will board up houses that are vandalized or that people break into. Making sure that doesn't happen can keep banks from dumping problem homes at fire-sale prices. Homeowners who have to sell in an area where foreclosures are numerous might want to follow the lead of home builders, which are throwing in extras in to attract buyers while keeping up the selling price.”

So what can be done to safeguard our neighborhoods from senseless vandalism? Here’s what we came up with:

As Kent suggested, neighborhood watch groups can be alerted when homes around you are not occupied. In addition, who better to keep an eye on a house than the next-door and across-the-street neighbors?

Local law enforcement can be notified to do drive-bys on a regular basis until the house is sold.

Lights on timers or sensors can be installed (call the listing agent and make the suggestion) both outside and inside the house. This adds security and makes drivers-by think the house is occupied.

If you’re a non-occupying seller, some minor staging will help the house not only look better inside, but make it appear to be getting attention on a regular basis.

Local hardware stores offer door-jam alarms that can be placed on interior doors that sound loudly when the door is opened if no security alarm exists for the home.

If you have a homeowner’s association, alert them of a seemingly abandoned, empty house. They may be able to organize an effort in your neighborhood to do routine check-ups on the property or ask for neighborhood volunteers to water or weed the grass just to keep the neighborhood looking good as well as cared for.

Property management companies may have programs to perform regular house-visits for a nominal fee – just like a house sitter.

If your empty home is listed, check with your Realtor to see how often the home is being shown and how often he or she enters it as well. If your Realtor has numerous listings, it may not get visited as often as you’d like, but he or she can assign an assistant or another agent to help out.

Abandoned homes are everyone’s problem in a given neighborhood, since they can only harm values and appearances. If you’re in a neighborhood that is getting harder hit than most by a wave of empty houses, it might be wise to take it upon yourselves to do something about it rather than see things get worse. Although there are no guarantees this will protect 100% against value-loss, keeping would-be vandals away can only benefit us all.

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