The Cleaning of Foreclosed Home Properties
Posted on December 4, 2008
Filed Under Foreclosure Homes | 19 Comments
With home foreclosures growing to an unprecedented high, the need for the cleaning of these home properties is growing almost just as quickly. Home foreclosures have jumped almost 184% from the previous year and more than one million homes are expected to be in foreclosure in 2008. As our economy deteriorates, some of the hardest hit areas of the United States are California, Florida, and Nevada. This sad effect of the economy plummeting, however, has created a need for companies to clean and maintain these foreclosed properties.
One of the most costly measures owners of foreclosed properties have to incur is the cleaning of these properties. Many families leave in a hurry or are angry for losing their home. They often leave large amounts of trash, as well as severe damage to the interior. Holes in walls, missing lighting fixtures, and destroyed floor coverings are just a small sample of some of the destruction.
While some families are removed by a sheriff enforcing the foreclosure, others are often harder to find. Many owners have taken to renting their home until someone shows up to remove the renters. Many of these renters have no idea the house is under foreclosure until someone comes calling.
Once the property is vacant, there are many things the lender must ensure. The first and possibly most important is the security and safety of the residence. Changing locks, securing windows, shoveling snow, and draining swimming pools will lessen the chance of vagrants inside the property and of someone getting hurt.
One of the next important considerations is the outside appearance of the property. In addition to keeping neighborhood values up, a newly mown lawn and yard free of clutter will greatly improve the chances of the property selling again. Lenders are often in the foreclosure process for many months and must retain someone to care for the property and residence.
When cleaning a foreclosed property, take time to consider all aspects involved. Beginning outside, determine what needs to be done. Mowing, weed eating, and trimming will improve the appearance of the lawn. Often abandoned vehicles will need to be towed off and piles of debris will need to be hauled away. Repair broken windows or shutters and keep the front area viewable from street in a neat and clean appearance. This is a very important part of the property preservation process, as it will discourage vandals, as well.
Inside, you may find there is a substantial amount of cleaning that needs to be completed. Often, you may be required to remove stained and odorous carpets, repair broken tiles or lighting fixtures, or contract for pest terminators. Decide what you want to accomplish as a property preservation and maintenance specialist and be sure to get the needed supplies. Nothing slows a job down more than having to go back home and get something you have forgotten.
Cleaning will require time and elbow grease, but once it is finished, the lender can begin to once again show the property. Repeated trips to the property are often required for lawn care and maintenance, such as wrapping pipes to keep them from freezing.
Property preservation is almost certain to grow rapidly in the coming years, as more and more homes fall into foreclosure. Lenders need to realize the importance of these companies in keeping the foreclosed homes ready for sale.