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Foreclosure Victims Stripping Homes

Date:June 16, 2009 | Author:Diane Tuman | Category:Foreclosures

In the past, foreclosure victims have left their homes seemingly in a hurry. Once authorities get inside, they find furniture, clothes, toys and sometimes, sadly, even pets are left behind.

Now, the Arizona Republic is reporting the opposite is happening. In Surprise, AZ, police are reporting that hundreds and perhaps thousands of foreclosed homes are being stripped of anything of value. Dishwashers, ovens, air conditioning units, toilets, bathtubs, sinks, and even spiral staircases are all being removed, allegedly by the foreclosure victims, although “opportunists” could be part of this, as was the case with the $1 Detroit house.

See something weird? It’s probably foreclosure-related.

Read about the latest celebrity foreclosures, including Stephen Baldwin’s home

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Responses (10)

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Chad Dierickx 1:56 PM - Jun 16,2009

This just happened to an acquaintance of mine who purchased a home that had been foreclosed on – the former owner took appliances, hardware, even lighting fixtures. Unbelievable. And it happened after the sale before the new owner could change the locks (hint: when you buy a home for auction, change the locks as soon as possible).
Fireballsocal 6:33 PM - Jun 16,2009

A quick browse of craigslist will show you where all of this stuff is going. You can pick up anything you want, second hand. Even used ceramic tile! I have been looking for garage cabinets and have found many complete sets of high end kitchen cabinets for sale, many with granite/corian countertops available at extra cost. Some even include the kitchen sink. ;>)
San Diego Home Inspector 9:38 AM - Jun 20,2009

Desperate times = desperate measures. My nephew recently bought a home in Mariposa County AZ and if it wasn’t bolted down, it was missing. In fact, even some of the bolted down items were gone such as the water softener unit, light switches, heater grills, even the furnace filters.

A client of mine in San Diego bought a foreclosure a few months back some of the more peculiar things stripped from the house included:

All the light bulbs from the recessed lighting
Most of the screws from the light switch plates
Some of the pantry shelves were removed
The gas lines for the water heater
The hoses for the washing machine
A few sprinkler heads in the yard
DG 1:31 PM - Jun 22,2009

What do you expect when the homeowner is trying to work out a deal with the bank… and rather than working something out the bank would rather auction the home off for 60% less than what the owner owes. Why not negotiate a lower price so the person can stay in the home and mitigate the loss. Its like the banks want to lose more money.
Loan Modification 8:36 AM - Jun 24,2009

So true, DG…

My father taught me to always have a good long look at something before you buy it; if you’re getting a foreclosure for dirt cheap, and you can afford the cost to rehab it, then what is there to complain about? I do, however, am of the firm belief that lenders really aren’t doing ish to help homeowners keep their homes in comparison with what they could be doing.
Loan Modification 1:40 PM - Jul 14,2009

good post, thanks
Jim J 7:32 PM - Aug 14,2009

My house will eventually be foreclosed. I had to replace the A/C unit and water heaters in the last few months. I plan on taking those, the appliances of which I upgraded, the ceiling fans (6) and garage door opener which are all upgrades, also the newer more expensive lights in and outside of which are new will come with me. Well I guess I’ll leave the RV driveway and 2 gates oh and the pool and jacuzzi which I added also – they’re too hard to dig out. Hey it’s a matter of I paid for it and you ain’t gettin’ it.
Kim 2:09 PM - Feb 13,2010

What are the legal ramifications if you take your fans, cabinets, appliances, etc? I paid for those items outside of the mortgage. Does it matter if a cabinet was in the mortgage or paid extra for outside of the deal?
Does anyone know?
Lea 12:53 PM - Jan 4,2011

I am of the same mind as Jim. I have stayed in this 1971 fixer upper for five years. I have replaced everything under the roof, except the pool and kitchen cabinets. BOA refuses to modify and the cess pool in the back yard now needs to be replaced. Our house is under water by 50K. I am taking the new things I bought (ie dishwasher, pool filter, sinks, ceiling fans, etc.) They cost us tons of money and we should leave with nothing. Sorry, but I tried to work with the bank. The pool replacement will cost us an additional 50k or more, not to mention heat and air in a few years. I am a fool for hanging around as long as I did. The bank wants the property, so they will get it in the condition I got it -shitty.