There is a lot of difference in regional housing economics. Areas like Las Vegas, Detroit, Miami, Phoenix and Riverside County CA, are completely devastated and there are so many foreclosures that in some neighborhoods there foreclosures on every single street. All this is causing a huge blight, as vacant homes become vandalized, landscaping deteriorates and crime rises.

One FBI statistic shows that when the foreclosure rate goes up 1% the crime rate increases 2.5%, and thus, when you have foreclosure rates as high as 8-10% that means crime rates skyrocket. This is over taxing city and county police forces. Worse, the banks that own the properties are already taking a loss and do not feel the need to mow the lawns, remove dumped trash, or keep these homes tidy.

So, some cities are now taking action, a trend which is growing rapidly. In California, as well as in neighboring states municipalities are passing ordinances that banks that own vacant properties must pay fees to the city, maintain the landscaping and if they don't they will face; Fines, Fees, and/or liens. Perhaps, this will make banks think twice about repossessing borderline homeowners who are trying to get current? Perhaps not, but it is a growing trend.

Who will eventually pay for all these fees, fines and liens? Well, the banks at first, although they will be passed onto the delinquent parties or onto the new buyers, someone is going to pay. Municipalities and their city council leadership is often apologetic for passing such city ordinances, rules and regulations, but insist that they really have no choice. If something is not done, the city services cannot keep up with the problems that are brought with increasing foreclosure rates.