As many of you are aware, while these foreclosed homes can be excellent deals, the manner in which they have been abandoned is a haven for crime and squatters. With so many people being homeless, there is an excellent chance that down on their luck individuals are spending the occasional night in some of these homes, especially in areas where the weather is brutal. In addition to this, criminals have taken a liking to the appliances and copper wiring that these homes have to offer, and these houses are very often the subjects of roberry. Lastly, some of these homes are being used a drug dens, where people go to engage in drugs and other very seedy activities.
If you are the unlucky real estate agent, or buyer that goes to one of these homes while it is being used for any of these purposes, your chances of getting hurt, robbed or killed is extremely high.
When showing a vacant foreclosure, please be very careful and follow this advice. Do NOT enter the home quietly. By startling a criminal in one of these homes, you put both of you at risk. When entering the driveway of a foreclosure, honk your horn several times, to allow anyone in the home to be alerted that someone is coming, and then wait a couple of minutes to give them time to run out the back door. Next, when you get out of the car, bang loudly on the door. This is a 2nd warning, that will give the criminal time to scurry. Lastly, enter the home very cautiously. Make sure to scan the area prior to enter the home, for any sign that illegal activity may have taken place recently.
Most importantly, never go to an abandoned foreclosure alone. There is strength in numbers, and this is just an invitation for a bad situation.
Be safe and happy selling!!
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