Special offer

It doesn’t take long for an uninhabited house to go “back to nature!”

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Going back to natureThese days, it’s not unusual to see houses left vacant for extended periods of time. No one usually know exactly the reasons for the inhabitant’s desertion, it just seems to happen.

Many times, a family is forced to move for one reason or another, and are too far upside-down to be able to see the property. In many of these cases, the home is simply abandoned because the owners simply give up and move on their lives.

In other cases, an owner might move into a retirement center or assisted living facility. Or they might simply pass away intestate with no heirs to claim the property.

Sometimes, there is a foreclosure and the bank that now owns it simply adds it to its portfolio and it sits idle and empty and NOT getting any newer on its own.

Whatever the reason, once Mother Nature is left to her own devices, it doesn’t take very long for the house to succumb to the primeval forces of unfettered overgrowth.

And before you know it, the house will be gone forever!

Comments (25)

Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Richard...It makes me sad sometimes when I see abandoned houses.  I think of the families that would like to make them their homes.  What a waste.

Kate

Apr 21, 2010 01:51 PM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

Hey that looks like one of my listings and honestly I'll get it cleaned up. LoL

It doesn't take long for a property to go south.

Apr 21, 2010 02:06 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Richard,

What a great shot. It really does not take long for a home left behind to look and feel abandoned! It is too bad when there are many who could make it their new home!

Apr 21, 2010 02:09 PM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Hi Richard ~ And it only gets worse with time!

Falling down house

Liz

Apr 21, 2010 02:10 PM
Ross Therrien
Prudential Verani Realty, Londonderry,New Hampshire - Londonderry, NH
Realtor, Broker Associate

When there built from wood they return.  The animals move in, party awhile then move on.

Seen many second homes at some remote lakes.  Back in there time!

Apr 21, 2010 02:12 PM
Richard Dolbeare
Inactive - Wailuku, HI
Living the Hawaii Lifestyle

Hi Richard.  One next door to me is vacant for one of the reasons you mentioned (retirement center).  Perhaps it's human nature to hold on thinking that maybe it will be possible to return some day.  At least this one is being kept mowed.

Apr 21, 2010 02:22 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Richard...I have always said this about the old farm steads around the country.

Apr 21, 2010 02:26 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Richard... well I suppose that's one way to camouflage a curb appeal issue with a home!  LOL

Apr 21, 2010 02:41 PM
Sara Woolford & Steve Golson, ALHS
iTexas Realty Co. - San Antonio, TX

Hi Richard-

Pretty soon, you won't be able to see the house at all - just the vegetation holding it up!

--Sara

Apr 21, 2010 03:01 PM
Delaware Junk Removal Residential And Commercial Hauling Clean Outs
Delaware Junk Removal 302-530-9186 - Wilmington, DE
Whole House Clean Outs, Basements, Garages, Attics

Richard- I worked on Bainbridge Naval Station in 1988 it closed about 10 years prior and the buildings were falling down all over the place.  It was like a ghost town.

Apr 21, 2010 03:11 PM
Michael J. O'Connor
Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA
Eastvale - 951-847-4883

It's actually pretty amazing how quickly lawns die in our area.  We're mostly desert and it is pretty obvious after only a couple of weeks which houses are in trouble.

Apr 21, 2010 05:00 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

You are right. Properties that have been vacant for two years or more will need a lot of work. I tell folks that are purchasing foreclosures be prepared to invest in a lot of elbow grease...

Helping you help others live their American dream...

Apr 21, 2010 09:13 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Very true Richard.  Have you ever watched the television show (I think on the Discovery Channel) that shows what would happen to the earth with out people.  Your post reminds me of that show.

Apr 21, 2010 11:20 PM
Chris Wechner
CW Health Inc - Waterford, MI

Your words do a good job covering that.

However, I see things like this, and I see money.

Liz, I see things like the picture you posted EVERY time I go into the City of Detroit.  Here, I do NOT see money, unless you mean money leaving my pocket.

Apr 21, 2010 11:47 PM
Home Design
Alpharetta, GA
Home Design and Real Estate

Awesome pic Richard.  We have some of these on the North side of town also.  Just waiting for the banks to release them to REO agents.

Apr 21, 2010 11:48 PM
Claudette Millette
The Buyers' Counsel - Ashland, MA
Buyer, Broker - Metrowest Mass

Richard:

That photo is a good reminder of just how important landscaping is to a home. If you don't trim, mow and spruce up your home, it can quickly look like it has been abandoned.

 

Apr 22, 2010 12:06 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Abandoned homes quickly become nothing but a shell inviting the critters to come on in...Sad to let them fall into disrepair.

Apr 22, 2010 12:24 AM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

I can picture my vacant short sale listing eventually looking like that if I do not sell it! At least that home has some color to it :)

Apr 22, 2010 12:44 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Richard:  The effects these vacant houses have on the homes around them too is depressing.  Neighbors stop cutting their lawns.  Why should they bother?  The house next door looks like crap.

Apr 22, 2010 11:06 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Richard:  The effects these vacant houses have on the homes around them too is depressing.  Neighbors stop cutting their lawns.  Why should they bother?  The house next door looks like crap.

Apr 22, 2010 11:06 AM