Real Estate Blog - Peeking Makes You A Good Neighbor

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Peeking Makes You A Good Neighbor

Dirty Pool Everyone living in Sacramento County, Placer County, Yolo County and El Dorado County needs to read this.

A recent home buyer, and now homeowner and friend living in Natomas, CA called me this week.

While gardening in her backyard in the afternoon, this Sacramento County new homeowner noticed a swarm of mosquitoes.

Since we have a record number of foreclosures, short sales and abandoned houses this is a call to action for all neighbors.

Sometimes, the homeowner has abandoned their house. It takes the bank awhile before they realizes this. In the meantime, no one is taking care of that broken sprinkler, a pool with no chemicals or a pond with standing water.

Remember, that standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. West Nile virus can be a result of this difficult time we are experiencing with foreclosures and abandoned homes.

Realtors have been and still are reporting these properties as soon as we are aware of them to County officials.

You, as a neighbor might know a lot sooner than anyone else by simply peeking over your fence. Take a look behind your house, and to the sides of your home.

Standing water, becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. We all need to take an active part in reporting abandoned properties with standing water. This is when peeking makes you a good neighbor.

When the County Offices below are called about an abandanded house, the county worker either drains swimming pools, places fish that eat mosquito larvae and or repair or shut off water leaks.

Below, are the numbers to call for each County to report standing water at an abandoned home.

For houses in Sacramento County and Yolo County, call Sacramento Yolo Vector Control at 916.685.1022

For homes in Placer County, call Placer County Mosquito Abatement District at 916.435.2140

For El Dorado County, call El Dorado County Environmental Management at 530.621.5300

Yes, that's right...Real Estate is not just a house. To be a home owner is not just to buy a house. Real Estate is a responsibility and needs to be cared for and maintained.

Let's all be neighbors helping neighbors.

Click to read more about West Nile virus and the symptoms as well as Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

If you like what you read, be sure to visit Sacramento Real Estate Voice. And if you want to subscribe click the green button to get the latest articles sent to your email.

Posted by Gena Riede, Real Estate Broker Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699 on 03/01/2008 11:03 PM

Comments (20)

sacramento, foreclosure, short sale

Originally posted at: Elk Grove CA Real Estate : Peeking Makes You A Good Neighbor

This post has been included in California Information Sacramento County, CA Information

20 Comments on Peeking Makes You A Good Neighbor

MAR

2008

Gena,

Mortgage foreclosures can have unexpected consequences that many homeowners don't think of. One of them is the standing water issue with the mosquitoes. Others are dropping property values, fewer government services because property taxes aren't paid, possible vandalism, just to mention a few. Good reminder.

MAR

2008

Hi Gena - this is a curiosity question, what does reporting those homes to the places you listed do? What can they do about a property that the homeowner abandoned? Do they take them over, or contact the mortgage company? I'm wondering what action those entities take, and/or can legally take when they get those calls.

Thanks,
Ann

Hi Gena - It is good to be conscientious of your neighbors homes for lots of reasons. Living in a tight nit community is great. Knowing that others will look out for anything out of the ordinary gives you a feeling of security....including pest issues!

Esko, absolutely, thank you for your weigh-in...this affects all of us which I stated way back when and now we are seeing the beginning of those results. Schools, fire, police...along with construction jobs, pets abandoned...you name it...it's here.

Ann, wrote that pretty late last night. Forgive me. These Vector control areas for each County go to the house, either drain the pool or in the winter they put fish in the pool that will eat the mosquito larvae, turn off or fix pipes. The County takes a pro active concern over this but can't get the homes unless they know they exist and are a problem.

West Nile Virus is definitely a concern in our part of the country and standing water along with 70 weather is a breeding ground. Much less costly to take care of the abandoned houses, then people stricken with West Nile, I think.

Thanks for your question, as I'm sure others might have had the same.

Bill, yes you are absolutely right! There is nothing like a tight neighborhood and knowing that you have each other's back. America really needs to reach out and get to know their neighbors, more. It is so beneficial.

Bet you are great neighbor, thanks for popping over.

Hi Gena - ah, now that makes sense. I wasn't thinking along those lines but rather that those entities somehow take over the property or something. Yes, I can see where notifying them about abandoned property where there's standing water like that would be in the best interest of everyone for sure.

Thanks for answering my questions - I learned something new today!
Ann

Hi Gena~ This completely makes sense, and is such a great point. I think the mosquitoes might be particularly bad this year with all the rain and creeks with standing water, not to mention the vacant homes.

Gena, Being observant is being a good neighbor. I don't know how fast your mosquito abatement people move. A local "charity" might be set up to put fish in the pools of abandoned homes. Draning is not always easy because electricity is usually shut off. Plus if it rains they collect more water.

Bill Roberts

Thanks Bill, that is exactly what Vector Control does if it's the rainy season they put fish in that take care of the problem but in the Summer after our rainy season is over, pools will be drained. Vector Control is quite timely from what I understand but that's an excellent suggestion for charity organizations to think about.

The main thing is to get everyone to start paying attention in their neighborhood and report standing water.

You're right about the mosquito hazard - thanks for pointing this out.

MAR

2008

Gena,

Great stuff!!! We don't have enough pools around Iowa to worry about this! ;)

Besides, with winters like we get, no mosquitoes can survive!!!

Take care,

Lucky :)

The mosquitoes are a problem, even out here in Las Vegas. Our neighbor let his pool get that bad before he sold the place. Thankfully the new neighbor takes care of it. -Charles

MAR

2008

Georgina, you are so welcome. Definitely something to take notice of with the warmer weather upon us.

Lucky, you always make me smile and laugh out loud. I just love you!

Charles, bet you're glad you have a new neighbor!

MAR

2008

Let Me Call You Sweetheart! by Lucky Lang Let Me Call You Sweetheart!

This was a more casual photo of my quartet.

And what exactly was I doing with my hands?

Don't go there!

Hope this finds you calmly laughing and enjoying life in Sunny California!

Take care of yourself!

Lucky :)

Lucky, what a great photo. Love it. You are my sweetheart, too. I don't think I will be forgetting the wonderful song that you sang to me and then hearing all of you practicing.

Not sure how you have all this energy but it's great! Thanks again for making my day plus more!

MAR

2008

Gena,

We have two weeks before our Annual Show!!! Our rehearsal last night went well as the script, music, and choreography are all coming together.

Got any Frequent Flyer miles left?

Lucky :)

Lucky, last i heard the snow was higher than a giraffes eye...you know I don't do well in cold and snow...even for you. I'll have to listen on the phone again.

I would love to come. You guys are great!! Break a leg.

MAR

2008

Gena,

A Blessed Easter greeting going out to my California Girl!

Take care,

Lucky :)

MAR

2008

Hi Gena ,

It show's that how much you are concerned upon other's health, Thanks.

MAR

2008

Lucky, oh I hope you had a wonderful Easter, too. Thank you for always being there...and here...your CA girl

Sasha, I hope that everyone takes this seriously and does realize how important standing water is and how it effects us all.

JUN

2008

Hi,

I am a owner of a pool service company and want to support my local community. I can offer a discount to someone who is having a hard time with selling and having problems with a green pool.. Please contact me (jack) at jackspoolservice.com .

Thanks,
Jack

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