Are there foreclosures in your neighborhood? Sacramento, CA has certainly had its fair share of real estate foreclosures. Some neighborhoods worse off than others. The steps to be a pro-active neighbor are not just for Sacramento neighborhoods but can be applied all over the country.

Have homeowners moved out on your street? Are there vacant homes on your street? Have renters moved out and no one has moved in?

Have you seen the remnants of a Foreclosure in your neighborhood? Are you sick of seeing burned-up grass in neighborhoods?

I recently saw what could be a solution to help sell a house where the banks have decided to turn off the water and no one is taking care of the lawn.

 

Here are some solutions neighbors can do to help preserve their own neighborhoods:

  1. Form a Neighborhood Watch through your local Police Department
  2. Become familiar with your neighbors and know who is living in the houses on your street
  3. Be aware when neighbors move out (many times a house stays vacant for months before a bank is aware that the owner has even moved out.
  4. When a house is vacant, check for trash and put it out for pick-up. Remember, no one is there to do it and trash brings rats into your neighborhood
  5. Park one of your cars in front of the house and rotate them to keep pilfers at bay
  6. Pull weeds and mow the lawn...take turns in your neighborhood and keep up your street
  7. Report broken windows etc to your County officials
  8. Report any suspicious cars or people on the property

It's time that neighbors took back their neighborhood and become pro-active. Don't try to use the water or figure out a way to turn on what has been shut off at a vacant house. As this may cause major flooding inside a winterized house.  If water is needed, use your own water.

A proactive approach is always less stressful and will lend itself to being a "good neighbor," while helping yourself in the process.

 
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35 Comments on 8 Steps to Help Preserve Your Neighborhood From Foreclosed Homes

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
30
2008
2 Featured Posts

Excellent post!  And the suggestions are simple enough to follow.  Great job!
5:44pm • #18
532,166 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Hi Gena,

Great info for the times!

Someone posted not long ago on the green spray and asked if anyone had experienced it. I attended a backyard wedding a few years back, the owner had the yard sprayed recently. Maybe a little too recently because they had green on their nice light carpeting inside the home.

Just a suggestion about rotating those parked cars, one Rainer agent was about to have a car towed on a home that was about to be listed last week only to find out it was a  neighbors, so be careful!

 
7:23pm • #19
1,013,694 Points 4 Featured Posts

Great article and suggestions wonder why the REO or banks not taking care of these. But it would be nice if neighbors took care of htese things as well. But most people feel like it's not there problem.
7:58pm • #20
745,208 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Great ideas Many detroit homes have no furnace or water heaters
8:36pm • #21

Good for you, Gena.  Solving your own problems before waiting for someone ese to take care of them is always the right choice.
Brian Brady
9:06pm • #22
316,403 Points 5 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Enjoyed the video clip.  That would be a great product to use to spot treat a yard that needs a little color!!  Foreclosures are an unfortunate circumstance.  We are seeing them in the Houston area at ALL levels.  In one affluent neighborhood, the next door neighbor bought the house! 
9:19pm • #23
325,145 Points 12 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Gena,

Many homeowners miss the importance of providing at least the basic maintenance on a vacant house in their neighborhood. The banks generally won't lift a finger and the city/ county won't help either.
9:37pm • #24
OCT
01
2008
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Tom, thanks. Russell, I think we are headed for a worse time than that. Many have said that we are in this for a decade and if the housing market is not addressed it will drop the housing value much more than what we ever thought. It's always best to be pro-active especially in an atmosphere where we have such little control within our government. So, I say take control where you can and make lemonade from all these lemons. Neyla, yes those that actually do their once a week checks.
12:31am • #25
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Jeff, that's a wonderful idea and certainly would impress a neighborhood.  You have such wonderful ideas!

Cat, glad that you are taking this and running with it. Newspapers would actually be able to bring some positive news about real estate instead of all the negative there is right now.  This has a benefit for all.

 
12:35am • #26
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lillie, certainly and if they won't foot the bill, then the neighbors need to contribute either monetarily or physically.

Bob, I hope it helps and spreads the word to all neighborhoods so that we can be pro-active in this devastating situation that we all find ourselves in. There are a lot of positives that can be made with neighbors helping neighbors. Thanks for putting it in your newsletter.
12:39am • #27
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Marcia, absolutely you may. I hope that it generates positive neighborhood plans and brings back the pride that should be there on every street.

I had to laugh at your remark. There is always one on every street...I know what you mean.
12:42am • #28
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Greg, you're welcome

Trey, sorry you feel that way.

Kathy, absolutely. The more the better and I hope it makes a profound difference in all the neighborhoods. Thank you.
12:44am • #29
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Vicki, give it a shot. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Greg Morris, shame on you. Don't you know that it is considered very bad manners to advertise on someone else's blog. I am deleting your comment. Don't ever advertise your services on anyone's blog.

KMG, now to get those in a neighborhood to step-up and follow those easy steps.
12:51am • #30
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Lynda, you had me in stitches about the green on the carpet. So, you actually saw it. Did it look real? With the drought and perhaps getting worse that may be an alternative for a lot of people.

Thank you for a very valid point on the car...I will correct it above so as to avoid that happening. Thank you.
12:54am • #31
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Charles, it is there problem. It hurts THEIR neighborhood which in turn hurts THEIR value.

REO agents don't take care of this since they are already paying all of the utilities each month, repairs due to break-ins etc and don't get reimbursed until several months after the property is sold.

The banks are losing money and have no intention of paying for anything. They have a hard enough time just responding to offers and accepting them.
12:59am • #32
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Russ, not sure what you were trying to say with no water heaters or furnaces. Have they been stolen while vacant or are you saying that they were built without this essentials?

Brian, thanks. I agree.  Especially since it would be useless anyway to wait for anyone to come help rescue neighborhoods.
1:04am • #33
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sonja, sorry to hear that you are experiencing this, too. Buying a neighbors house is a great idea. I have had one person call that wanted to do the same thing.

Glad you enjoyed the video. Never know when something like that might come in handy.

Esko, here in Sacramento, the City is fining the banks for unsightliness.  The fines are hefty and mount at a very high rate, daily. Some fines are higher than the actual value of the house.
1:08am • #34
880,768 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gena - What an eye opener. Never realized all of the potential night mares there are when a foreclosure appears in a neighborhood. I am fortunate we don't have any in my town.
7:27am • #35
OCT
02
2008
1 Featured Post

I would also add, CONTACT A REALTOR and let them know about the fact that it MAY be a foreclosure. I often look for homes NOT on the market and could potentially offer a solution before it hits the neighborhood and affects the comps...
7:56am • #36
OCT
06
2008

Gena,

Great tips!  This not only helps the neighborhood and sale, but the agent too.  I can imagine that the neighborhood will appreciate an agent who cares enough to help put these activities together.  When selling time comes, I have to guess they'd choose (or recommend) the agent who organized such a task.

Great tip,
Mike
8:51pm • #37

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