In recent news, we’ve heard a lot about cities going bankrupt, towns facing debt problems, and neighborhoods emptying out as their inhabitants move to less expensive neighborhoods or smaller homes. While it’s not uncommon for neighborhood demographics to change over time thanks to economical shifts, the unfortunate result is that a lot of homes stay vacant for long periods of time, and people who are sticking around now suffer the consequences of having a lot of vacant homes in their neighborhoods. Vacant homes can cause issues for a lot of reasons. Because they’re not maintained, they can become eyesores very quickly. But what’s worse than simple roadside aesthetics, vandals, squatters, and other questionable people will notice that the homes are not being lived in or taken care of, which can lead to crime spiking. Thankfully, banks and lenders aren’t helpless—there are methods to prevent things like arson, vandalism, break-ins, and other problems that vacant homes may be a target for.
Types of Crime to Be Aware Of
In neighborhoods on the decline, you may have noticed things like red Xs being painted or posted on homes. This is usually to signify to law enforcement or firefighters that should there be a problem, there is no one living in the home. For fires, it may mean that firefighters will work less hard or get there slower to put out the fire because they know no one is at risk of injury. While that’s not a problem in and of itself, it may mean that more people will target those empty houses in cases of arson, since they know that the fire department may feel less inclined to bother. Other types of criminal activity that vacant properties may attract in declining neighborhoods are vandalism and theft. Because copper is a high-priced metal, in extreme cases of vandalism people will break into vacant homes to steal copper wiring within the walls. It’s important to be aware of these sorts of criminal activity, since they can cause an extensive amount of damage that banks or lenders will have to repair—these sorts of repairs can be incredibly costly.
How to Safeguard Vacant Properties
Thankfully, there are ways that bank-owned properties can be protected against crime and vandalism. One way is to install security for doors and windows. When homes are boarded up with steel security window covers and a door guard system, they become less of a target for people who might think the homes are unattended. When a home looks like people will be checking in on it, and the property is well maintained, criminals and vandals are more likely to pick a different target. Don’t let the property you own fall victim to crime—protect it with security covers for the doors and windows.
