John, I was reading about the damage the other day as well.  I haven't read $2,000 but up to $300 in most cases to turn over the keys with no damage.  It is terrible what is going on and what will continue to go on .... it appears that there will be no prosecution for this damage because it would tie up the court system!  

The ten commandments are a guideline for us to follow and "thou shalt not steal" falls under "thou shalt not vandilize what doesn't belong to you."  

It is terribly sad what is going on and the consumer is reacting because they don't understand (a) why it happened to them; (b) the possibility of loosing their home because they couldn't afford it in the first place; (c) the explanation of maintenance of a property; (d) not being able to afford the maintenance and upkeep.  You and I know that the list goes on forever.  It is a reactionary attack because those that are going into foreclosure haven't seen the light at the end of the tunnel since the closing table.  Is it right that the consumer reacts to take violent, destructive measures because their dream of owning a home has been stricken off the record.  The lowered self-esteem because they are so called "loosers", as they have made themselves feel, because they couldn't keep that home for their family.  It has been like a snowball rolling down the hill for some of these people to where it now is an avalanche in their life.  

This whole thing is sad John.  Really sad.  I see agents showing my properties and I have handouts for the various mortgages that the property could qualify for the buyers and also a little book that talks about not getting in over your head and why.  I hand it out to the buyers and the agent  I want them to understand what it really is all about.  

I do meet with people that have to do short sales and explain to them the two ways that it can go for them.  I believe that the consumer that is in financial distress with their property needs to understand the entire procedure.  When it is explained correctly, it will help those who are in trouble to see a better picture and not so much self imposed stress upon their lives and to guide them on how to move forward and give them the time to adjust.  Fewer modes of destruction to homes because of anger of not understanding - which the industry created in the first place.  It's about taking the time with each and every new client who is in trouble and getting them to adjust.  It's about caring.

My head is not in the clouds on this one. I am seeing evidence of my efforts that is making a difference out there for all involved.  

It's a sad day when we have to keep an eye on the front yard sign, or have the police escort you into the home so that you aren't attacked with needles because some of these homes are new nests for the homeless and addicts.  

I say it's time for a change.  The industry is just beginning to see the fruits of their selfish ways and it will get worst.  It's how we react that will make the difference for those who will be going through tough times.  

Just my two cents.

John, this is an area that I have seen first hand and the problem is that we have people that take advantage of any scenario that plays into their hands.

I had a foreclosure that was like a come steal me sign. Within a week the A/C was stolen and the well pump. They were not satisfied with that they came back and broke in and ripped out some walls hoping for cooper and found PVC.

Needless to say this make a bad situation worse but there is little our industry can do, I don't put any signs out that draw attention to the property other than the normal for sale sign. These villains have access to the sources we do and are very well organized. With Florida's Conceal and Carry permit, I look forward to the day I meet one of these vermin's in the act. It is either Jail or worms for them. I think this is the most despicable act on people that have nothing. It is like stealing food from the hungry. Since it happens on shorts as well as foreclosures.

I would only hope they get to serve their time in Arizona under the only Sheriff in the country that believes time served should be not pleasant.

Good Post, John

We are seeing the same thing here in our Florida market. Showed a once beautiful home on the water (1Million Plus in the hey day) that was just trashed and stripped.  The kitchen was gone, not just the appliances, but the cabinets and granite counters! The Garden Tub was gone from the second floor... that had to be a job..

Walked out on the large second floor balcony and WHOA... they took the railings.  So we started looking to see and most of the interior doors

were gone, the toliets, the knobs off the built in bath cabinets and of course the light fixtures.. Spoke with the neighbors and they said it was a renter, who upon the bank coming to the door and nicely saying we need you out, went wild! I firmly believe that person should be but under the jail.......

I was in the car yesterday and heard on the radio that the Humane Society in Washington, D.C. said that the animals they rescued (dogs and cats) went up 60% in the past 3 months and most due to people who were leaving their homes that were in foreclosure.

So they are taking the cabinets, but leaving their dogs...

Hey, John! Good post. Here's an article that goes right along with it :

http://tinyurl.com/6hjos2

Check out where the couple works!

For years my wife and I have been asking each other "how can that couple afford to live so much better than us?"

Turns out they can't!

Good post John,

Is anyone else noticing how agents are advertising these listings ?

With a bold font starting out with SHORT SALE or PRE-FORCLOSURE perhaps we need to be better at what we do by just listing these properties as a good price due to seller moving or something that would not attract these bottom feeders.

Given that there will always be people that feel cheated or scammed by the lenders and loan officers but they have always been around. Remember its always been  when you would get a call to list a foreclosed property and it was a crap shoot as to weather it would be trashed or not or investors buying these things and then finding out they had to invest many thousands of dollars to make it sell-able again.

For all time people have made and lost money on foreclosure sales but today our society is different than in years past with more Internet access and the criminal minds that have always been around looking for more ways to get the money for nothing. The biggest difference now is the amount of opportunities available for these people and neighborhoods with the no I didn't see a thing attitudes when the trucks come in at night.

Lets all try to figure out ways to advertise these properties and only put the short sale words in the agent only remarks or maybe down a few lines so they don't stand out so much. Just a small start that may or may not help but what have we to loose by trying.

Just a thought here.

John, I have the reverse scenario going right now on a foreclosure. These people took whatever they were wearing I think and left everything else. Covered with dog poop, but intact. House is full, garage is full, barn is full, all outbuildings are full property is full of junk.

I am trying to get quotes to clean all this off and finally found someone who wanted to do it. I had to secure the property as it is in prelisting stage, but I was hoping someone would actually take something!

Mary, that's the flip side to this whole mess.  In Chicago, scavengers are taking the aluminum off the house to make money.  You see a photo of a potentially cute home and then there's no siding - well as far as a 20' ladder can reach!  Where are the police to stop them?

Great post guys!

I think we all have our stories?

It proves that a civilization is only days away from a collapse,  when the people lose their values and civility.  

Nate you need to lighten up, civilization is far from collapse and the world will keep spinning. FDR will not return and we don't need any more entitlements. However the sad truth is that people will take advantage of people because they can. We need to do our best to make sure that doesn't happen.

Good post John, but  we will never cure the ability of some to take advantage of those that can not be protected.