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GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491
Posted:
Aside from the disgruntled owners that damage the home in a fit of pique when they move out; abandoned homes attract mischief. Kids break into them to party, vagrants to squat and thieves to steal. At least locally people are smashing walls to rip out cooper pipes, electric wiring and ac condensers. It has become a huge problem and not just for abandoned homes. These items are easily converted for cash at your local scrap yard and it's hard to "prove" they were stolen and not legitimately obtained.

There have been numerous posts lately about trying to get banks to maintain the grounds of foreclosed homes but what about the homes themselves? Does your HOA do anything special to keep an eye on these properties? Form a neighborhood watch? Request the police to drive through the neighborhood more frequently? Cross your fingers and hope for the best because you feel it's the banks problem? One neighborhood non-profit (not an HOA) in Cincinnati has sued the largest holder of foreclosed properties in their neighborhood for failing to maintain them. http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008307100053

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions
KirkW1 (Texas)
Posts: 1,665
Posted:
Glen,

While the foreclosures have not hit our area (yet), the metal theft has in a big way. I found out recently that there is an effort among city councils in the area to combat the situation at a much easier place. They are expecting more of the recyclers.

The measures include:
1) Limiting hours to 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
2) Banning cash transactions
3) Requiring (and tracking) id of who they buy from
4) Requiring evidence that you rightfully own anything other then cans and the like

I would say you may want to see if you can get your local city council to take such actions. Outside of stopping it at the sale point, community watch is your only hope.

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