Los Banos Abandoned Homes Putting Serious Trouble on Neighborhood

October 22nd, 2008

Los Banos real estate has been suffering heavily from the problem of foreclosure for the last two years. People are leaving behind their homes in a miserable condition. A community preservation section although has been added by the City Council to the municipal code, it is expected that the issue will remain there so long the problem of foreclosure exists. According to a report, the total number of homes in foreclosure in Los Banos stands at 1,215. The number of homes in a pre-foreclosure status is 439. Besides, nearly 212 properties have been posted for auction. Chet Guintini, Fire Chief said, “We’ve had a fair share of complaints. We have limited resources.”

The City Council passed a statement in October last year saying that the lending agencies will be held responsible if a property in foreclosure was found to be in a poor condition. It is the homeowners who on their way out leave their property in a bad condition. If a civil action is filed by the city, then it can have a maximum of $2,500 from the owner of the property. The amendment that was passed by the City Council includes standards for the status of private property graffiti abatement, fences, walls, vacant buildings, and vegetation.

The homes in poor condition bring down the price of homes in the surrounding areas. Kelly Roseman, a code enforcer of Merced city has said that that the people there are so upset with the condition of vacant homes that they are mowing the lawns close to their homes themselves. Tom Kaljian, a real estate professional has said, “Essentially right now we’re doing property management,” They leave those houses in a bad state. We’re fortunate to be able to pay for that. When it falls on an agent, most of these agents the funds aren’t available.”

As Guintini has said that the cities have got some sort of help with the abandoned homes from the state government. He further said, “A Senate bill just passed that put more teeth in going after lending companies,” For every single day, the penalty will be $1,000. He has plans to provide some help to the City Council so that they can work out with the problem of homes in a situation of disrepair. Other than tall grasses, the cities have also to deal with the pools left abandoned by the homeowner as stagnant water can lead to spreading of West Nile Virus.