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Summer Danger: Parents is there a pool next door in that foreclosed home?

Although this is not a new problem, it is a real problem that still needs to be given the highest attention. Its summer, children are out of school and they love to swim.

So maybe you do not have a swimming pool in your yard but what about the property that is either on the other side of the fence or right down the street, where the gate is not locked or the fence is not too high to climb.

The property is vacant, the pool is full or yuky dirty water, with polluted water and possible it is a mosquito den or worst. Make sure you know where you children are and that they are not over in the foreclosed home’s yard planning on using that pool to take a swim or just playing around the pool and accidently fall in. With the high number of foreclosed homes in any given neighborhood, there are plenty out there with swimming pools. It is a fact that most do have water in the pool and some do not.

If the pool is emptied:

it will cause structure damage to the pool – especially in this heat.
If the pool is empty it can pop up and break open.

If the pool has water in it -->>

is it clean or is it infested?
it can breed mosquitoes which can bring on virus.

Although it is not clear who is at fault if a pool is left in the polluted and unsafe manner: That can end up getting sued for any death or health issues.

it can be the Bank (owner)
The previous homeowner
The real estate agent
Or all the above

So it just makes sense for the real estate agent

to let the bank know about the pool and its condition and
to request approval for pool service,
lock the gates to the pool and
make sure it is safe.

Of course, this alone does not keep the children from going over the fence and getting to the pool and that becomes the parents responsibility.

Check out our website and find tips for BUYERS and SELLERS - Find some valuable information on ( Short Sales, Bank Owned Properties, Latest Loan Modification programs - including Foreclosure Alternatives Program to help prevent Foreclosure). I work with my daughter (D'Adrea Davie) as the Mother and Daughter Real Estate Realty Team at Family Realty Group and we have the latest information for the Loan Modification program & FAS (Foreclosure Alternatives Program).

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If you are thinking of Avoiding Foreclosure, Short Sale or Buying a home in Northern California's Central Valley (San Joaquin, Alameda, Contra Costa and Stanislaus Counties - includes Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Lathrop., Salida, Ripon, Modesto, Lodi, Hayward, Castro Valley, Union City, Fremont, Newark, Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin and all surrounding cities). Call us at 866-543-0461 or email US (go to our website and email us).

Rosemary Brooks

Patrick Williams & Associates

the Mother and Daughter Realty Team

PH: 866-543-0461

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EMAIL: info@motheranddaughterrealtyteam.net

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Posted by Rosemary Brooks -Mother & Daughter (866)-543-0461 on 07/08/2009 10:06 PM

Comments (22)

Foreclosured Homes With Pools in the ActiveRain Channel

parents, foreclosure, bank owned, real estate agent, homeowner, rosemary brooks

Originally posted at: Mother & Daughter Blog: Summer Danger: Parents is there a pool next door in that foreclosed home?

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22 Comments on Summer Danger: Parents is there a pool next door in that foreclosed home?

JUL

Hi Rosemay,

Good info, I'd bet there are a lot of these around, too many unsafe conditions.

Rosemary - this is so important for folks to think about. I see pools often in vacant homes, some with water, some not, but they are often not secured and anyone could get in. Seems like a major lawsuit waiting to happen if someone is hurt, or worse.

Jeff

JUL

I heard that in Texas, the government was going in and draining pools of foreclosed homes because their misquito problems were so bad. I wonder if they are destroying those pools in the process...

Good post Rosemary, its something that I am not sure I would have thought of. As parents we definately must take the first responsiblity for our children, becuase whether it is an abandoned pool or some other danger, too often those who should be responsible for those dangers are simply not concerned until its too late.

---Kim, virtual assistant with REVATS

Good post!

Next question: What about the foreclosed properties that have been sitting empy for months and Grass is over grown ~ Should we call on the agent, the banker, or just mow the gras and get it over with!!! I live a subd. that has 5 foreclosures & its just a mess- told the hubbie next you mow our yard walk across the street and just atleast mow the front!!! ~ could that be a liablity?

Angie Lowell

Professional Land Title

Abandoned swimming pools is everbody's concern - One should not have to be a Real Estate Professional to report abandoned pools - But not everyone is aware about California Senate Bill 1137 which provides a provision which authorizes local governments to force lenders to maintain property that is sitting empty after a foreclosure which includes maintenance of the landscaping and pools. Pools that have untreated water is a concern for the West Nile Virus, other safety concerns are drowning and injury. It is everyones concern to report pools with water in it to contact their local governments Vector Control office who will take action to control mosquitoes in the water.

This is an excellent post. I would do several things if this disaster was in my neighborhood. Complain to the city if the bank/agent is not accessible. Call the police and county Health Department. You could also file a nuisance suit.

These pools are also an "attractive nuisance" and there is extreme liability for the owner.

Banks think they can do as they please with foreclosure assets, but let some child drown in one of these property pools and they'll be looking at things differently.

You know. At first glance, this article seems good. "Yea, we all gotta watch out for those abandoned pools." We live in such a "PANIC" society anymore it just seems crazy. Quite frankly, I am getting sick of hearing about all these terribly bad things that are going to hurt me or someone I love.

With all these "safety" warnings, you may wonder how in the world we ever made it this far on this planet. I think people want to seem important, and truthfully, want to help people. But it is this very trend that is slowly, but surely taking freedoms away from you and me. and of course, i'm not talking about letting your pool go. I'm talking about all of it. "oh, this is bad or that is bad, don't do this, don't eat that, don't drink that...........yada yada yada."

If you've got a pool that's unsafe around you that's affecting your life, i guess you should do something if you think it is going to hurt you or your kid. But do we really need to write articles about it--creating yet another "Oh My God, this is Bad For You" hype?

Here in Sonoma County, you can get mosquito fish from vector control. That at least avoids mosquito infestation and prevents the need to drain the pool (potentially damaging it). Is this something that is available in other area?

The drowning hazard, I don't have a solution for this other than to make sure its fenced well. Of course, you could also drown in a bath tub, ditch, or puddle; and all these could occur without committing trespass.

These are great tips for parents to keep their kids safe, and it's true that many pools in foreclosed homes are dirty and problematic.

JUL

I am so glad that in Chicagoland pools are not a real problem. Thinking I would not take a listing that had one. At least till I check on my E&O and insurance coverage. Bad news.

AUG

Lynda - too many and they should all be report in hopes of saving a life.

Jeff - I am happy to report so far this summer I have not read about a tradegy surrounding empty pools in the Stockton area. Keeping fingers crossed.

Robert, I hope there is some kind of treatment to put in the drained pool to save them. Pools are expensive.

Kim - it is something that we see but don't put the danger with it. And it is something that is tempting to children to play in. Mosquitos like the untreated water too ---> not good.

Angie, this is a good question and if you tried to go around here in Stockton and do all the yards.... its a full time job with no pay....? um?

Thanks Erie - this puts us all responsible.

Aj - it is a good article!!!

Joseph - thanks that is good information to know.

Christine - that is what this post if for to help prevent a tradegy if possible.

Al that is another good tip - E&O might not cover it or much of the problems that could be blamed on the agent. I will take a look at mine and see.

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