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For those that think they had a bad day (Follow UP)

By Jack Gilleland

Home Inspector with Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton

November 22, 2008 04:23 PM

I wanted to post the second house in the series of homes on this street and the street behind it. This was somewhat different than the first and hadn't been broken into yet. Of course, it is just a matter of time. It may be interesting to some just because it is right across the street.

The first picture is of the neighborhood. You'll see why I said it was a quiet looking and well kept area. The second is of the house I inspected, it's the one on the left.

Ward neighborhood shot W2 nhouse

Here's the living room and kitchen. What a stark difference before the squatters actually arrive.

W2 LR W2 Kit

The house wasn't completely finished by the rehabers before they ran out of money.

W2 Furn W2 Water and Duct

For those of you doing foreclosures and rehabs or investor purchases these should look familiar and maybe a little sad.

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection Services

Clayton Ohio

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Sharon Paxson

Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Real Estate

I have seen where they take "everything". From shower doors, towel racks, destroyed the kitchen appliances (like you didn't want to touch them), and cabinet doors falling off - and of course they took the pool equipment so the pool looked like a biology experiment . . . couldn't see the bottom, disgusting. And vector control had been there and put in fish to keep the mosquitos away . . .

Nov 23, 2008 04:53 AM

Rosalinda Morgan

Brookville, NY

"The Rose Lady"

I have not done foreclosed property but I heard horrow stories. How can people do that? By the way, I love your dog. Looks like my dog. I have a black and white pointer that looks like a border collie.

Nov 23, 2008 05:07 AM

Lisa Friedman

Alliance Realtors - Bedminster, NJ

Central New Jersey Real Estate

I also like your dog's photo. The first comment was impressive that they took the garage! Very sad, all of this.

Nov 23, 2008 05:17 AM

Marian Gregor-Ann

Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI

Arbor area Real Estate

Hi Jack, or should I say, woof, woof? Now come on, HOW can someone 'take' the garage? No, really?

Nov 23, 2008 06:31 AM

Jim & Maria Hart

Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC

Charleston, SC Real Estate

This is just a sad reality that we're seeing more and more of. Very unfortunate.

Nov 23, 2008 07:13 AM

Bill Gillhespy

16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL

Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

So many sad stories out there. Are these not the actions of truly desperate people ?

Nov 23, 2008 08:01 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Brett - It's getting harder to inspect these knowing that possibly the best thing that could happen to the neighborhood is to start over.

Steven - I work the investors hard. I also offer somethings to them that others can't.

Leesa - Yeah! Think the neighbors would have noticed.

Mary - Strange. You would think that just the labor involved would deter most.

Suzanne - 17 days, in this market that is fantastic.

Nov 23, 2008 08:02 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Carol - Some of these ?rehabers? are better off starting slow.

Thom and Ray - The dog (Izzy) thanks you! I think before things turn around the banks are going to have to move assets, no matter what the price.

Erica - Toooooo common.

Susan - I'm not sure that the owners know that they can actually be charged with a crime.

Tony - You have a key word in your statement "Plan".

Vicki - Seller education is as important as buyer education (if you can get them to listen).

Nov 23, 2008 08:15 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Fred - Not there house, "who cares". It is a crime (really) to destroy the property. Home Inspectors serve an inadvertant service, we take lots of pictures. These can be used for litigation and often are.

Pat - I am always surprized and in some cases in awe.

Joan - Mold, the only good thing about seeing these type of properties when it is freezing.

Ruthmarie - I've seen them in upscale ( 500k+ ) neighborhoods too.

Richard - Not that bad on this one (see For those that think they had a bad day).

Nov 23, 2008 08:25 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Toula - If Izzy wasn't getting such a big head I'd tell him he had another fan, but the way he's strutting around lately you'd think he could read.

Steve - They hadn't had the opportunity yet.

Charlie - There are several that I think should spend a night or 2 in one of these homes, the way I saw them (no heat).

Lynn - Good rule of thumb.

Michael - I guess that's true, but hard to think like that after a week inspecting foreclosures.

Nov 23, 2008 08:34 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Dean - In that pic I caught him on a good day.

Sharon - Fish in the pool hmmmmmmmmm.

Rosalinda - Next time post a picture. I love to see them.

Lisa - I'd like to know how, that's a new one on me.

Marian - Like to have a picture of that.

Nov 23, 2008 08:40 AM

Justin Ukaoma

Vizion KC - Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Real Estate Investments

I see properties like this everyday. Sadly I usually enjoy buying a house where the rehab has started it often means less work for me. About a month ago I bought a house where the rehabbers had installed all new windows before going broke. I've never heard of anyone taking a garage unless it was detached I dont see how that would even be possible.

Nov 23, 2008 08:46 AM

MARY IACOVELLI

MARY IACOVELLI REALTY, LLC - Simpsonville, SC

Good Luck with your foreclosures! the ones in our area are stripped on Appliances, switch plate covers, lights, bulbs, toilets & covers, mirrors and anything else they can strip out.

Nov 23, 2008 09:05 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Truly, a sad, sad story. But is happening much too often.

Nov 23, 2008 09:18 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Jim & Maria - Unfortunate but true.

Bill - Makes you wonder, but to often there is no way to tell.

Justin - Like I said before, you'd think the neighbors would have seen something.

Mary - Thanks. Same story here.

Rebecca - Yes, too often here too.

Nov 23, 2008 01:54 PM

Jay Markanich

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA

Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

Jack - I have done a lot of homes lately where they got part way through and either gave up or ran out of money. We can't tell what happened usually. The rehabers don't usually do damage. The foreclosed people often do, sometimes with horrific results. One (big) house recently had damage because the former owners plugged the kitchen sink and turned on the water and left the house. The bank estimated $100K of damage! Hardwoods, entire finished basement, kitchen cabinets, mold, there was some mold, there was evidence of mold, oh, and various, colorful molds all over the basement. Bad stuff!

I have not seen too many break ins, but when the house is party central it is obvious! I think almost 50% of my inspections are foreclosures and short sales. How about you?

P.s. How do you keep your coat so shiny?

Nov 24, 2008 11:34 AM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Jay - I run about 25% foreclosures (Oct. figures), 15% Real Estate transactions, 30% commercial, 25% investor related and the balance are misc. These are pretty approximate I got lazy at the end of last month and haven't run all the numbers yet.

PS My wife brushes him almost every night.

Nov 24, 2008 12:01 PM

James Quarello

JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC - Wallingford, CT

Connecticut Home Inspector

Jack,

I haven't done a great many of these here, a few. Mostly finished flips that have been hacked up by amateurs.

Nov 24, 2008 11:02 PM

Jack Gilleland

Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

James - Frustrating isn't it. I have to do a "what were they thinking" when I run into the hack jobs. Who told these people they could rehab a house?

Nov 25, 2008 08:07 AM