After foreclosures, why don’t realtor companies hire anyone to mow lawns of the empty homes?
by 
Egao No Genki
ANSWERS: 2
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Realty companies usually don't own the homes anymore. They are foreclosed by the lender, which is usually a bank. They are now, finally, being required to do upkeep by the local communities. They had to pass a new zoning law here in our town to force them to do it. The city has stated that non-compliance will result in the city doing the work, and placing a lien on the property.
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Realtors represent buyers and sellers. We are not property management companies. Banks with REO (Real Estate Owned) inventory ordinarily commission an Asset Management company to prepare the property for liquidation and hire routine maintenance (lawn care, snow shoveling, etc.) to be performed by Property Management companies. If a property is so unsalable, due to vandalism, etc. it is possible that the bank will decide to curtail these services to reduce their losses (already HUGE by this time). As Yarnlady pointed out, the city can mow the lawn and (over)charge the bank for their services and eventually condemn the property. In good neighborhoods, neighbors will often maintain the property if the Asset Managers forget to do so. All I ever do is change the locks, pay for city inspections, pay the utility bills, and report suspicious activity. With any luck, I am reimbursed. That doesn't always happen. I don't list many foreclosed properties for this reason. I can't afford it any more than the bank that already got taken to the cleaners by the previous owner. ;-)
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