Foreclosed homes invite vandals and a squatter looking for a place to go that is out of the weather. This spells disaster for neighborhood that has a high rate of foreclosures. Vacant properties will bring trouble and therefore drive property values down.

When lenders try to unload foreclosure properties as quick as the can, in many cases this means that lenders sell the properties at up to 40 - 50% of the market value. Even with properties selling this low, some foreclosures can remain vacant for an extended period. Just because the home is sold does not mean that there is someone moving in, many investors have vacant properties in there portfolio.

Here are a couple things that you can do to help protect the value of your home:

Keep your eyes open

Keeping watch of the properties in the area that have been foreclosed and are not vacant will help to keep your neighborhood free of vandals and squatters. Foreclosures are on the rise and thousands of homes a month are going into foreclosure. Keeping watch of the homes in your area will help keep the vandals from stealing appliances, damaging the property and forcing lenders to board up properties. Boarded up properties, are invitations to more trouble property values. Lenders will sell homes that have been boarded up for even less, just to move the property.

Do not panic and sell

Home ownership is a long-term investment, and while foreclosures are, on the rise, they will level out and the market will recover at some point. Remain calm and do not panic, no is probably not the time to sell your home especially if you are trying to make a little money. Home values are being driven down; buyers are looking to buy them cheap and below market value right now. In some cases you can still sell your home for a profit as originally planned, do not try to sell just because the local markets are flooded with foreclosures.

Home foreclosures are expected to rise considerably more in 2008, so hang in there, do not dump your house just because of foreclosures in your area. You bought it as a long-term investment to begin with, and this is a short-term problem. The houses market will recover at some point and your property value will likely rise once again.

Posted by Darryl Schoen on December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM

About Darryl Schoen
Darryl Schoen is affliated with Real Estate One, which is located in Commerce Township, MI. For further assistance please use the contact information located on the right.




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