Foreclosed Homes May Pose A Health Threat

FAIRFAX, Va. The epidemic of foreclosed homes in the metropolitan Washington DC area could turn into a health epidemic warn some experts.

[Dawn]

Whoever foreclosed on the homes should be responsible for the property.

[Donna]

Ummm We have neighbors living next door, that HAVE NOT cut the grass for 2 yrs. God only knows what is living in the grass!

[Sarita]

Contact the former owners? They've lost their home because they couldn't afford it and now they're going to take on the financial responsibility of pest removal from a house they don't even live in. Sure. As in any other situation, it's the current owners responsibility.

[Lown Mowa]

eh..I agree with all you people. this is no good for my businesses in fairfax county. i think the neighbors should get fund for pay me to come mow lawn. if not I will stand on little river turnpike waiting for yob. some one has got to slap the mosquitoes for this western nile virusu. why no is connolly noout ther mowing the lawn? they want to make it better for live in fairfax but I dont see no money for better life. the bank of america needs to give people back they homeses and make it easier for all of to make it easier.

[Andy]

I am sorry, but first off, why should neighbors contact the orginial owners when they no longer own the house, they were evicted. Contact the bank who through them out. Second of all, why instead of having all of these foreclosed homes, did the bank not reach some aggrement with the owners that they atleast pay something, $500.00 a month and tack on the rest when things get better, whatever, so they could keep the house and not have a problem like this. The economy is so down and it is going to keep going down. I feel bad for anybody going through a rough time, I know my family is and it has sucked big time, but everybody is having issues and I dont see why if there is a problem and the government knows it is this severe that they not try to help out these people esp. if there was a good track record before. Breed away bugs and insects let the governement take care of the problems that they started.

[Abandoned]

The people who lived in these places were likely: 1) renters 2) illegals 3) couldn't care less about maintenance 4) all of the above

Now we are left holding the bag.

[trebor]

Can neighbors mow grass to keep it short, drain pooled water areas, etc if a house has been through foreclosure? If there is a health risk, why not?

[Wade]

The "experts" need to think before they speak!

[Slack Jaw]

Hmmmmm Burn baby burn (disco inferno)

Problem solved!

lol

[Sarita]

trebor wrote:

Can neighbors mow grass to keep it short, drain pooled water areas, etc if a house has been through foreclosure? If there is a health risk, why not?

That would be ideal if the neighbors had the time and the inclination to do it. The pest problem is certainly incentive. But it isn't their responsibility. The responsibility still lies with the current owner.

[David]

As a Real Estate Appraiser, I will say quickly that there is more danger than just mosquitos. Meth "cookers" like abandoned/vacant property. Working in a house that has been used as a meth lab can be very hazardous to your health. Or worse yet, is walking on a meth lab in operation.

[realist]

When you give up your home for foreclosure, usually because you don't have money for payment, the last thing you have money for is to pay someone to come and drain the pool. Your destroying your credit and the bank got your house. The bank can foot the bill.