Six months ago or so it probably would have turned into a 39 page flaming forum but with the lack of people here now I doubt if it will make more than two pages.    Someday I hope people will return.  But not banking on it. 

when i see an overgrown yard surrounded by 2 nicely maintained yards i can't help but think about how lazy the people with the nice yards are. If you know the house is abandoned, why not just run your mower over the weeds once in a while? not only does it slow the weeds spreading to your place, but it makes you place look like less of a dump too.

Yes, it sucks that the neighbors couldn't balance their finances, and it sucks that the market is slow, but how does letting the place look like a dump help anything? At least do a little so you can feel a little more satisfied coming into your home.
I'm not saying spend hours trimming and pruning, but 15 minutes with a mower or weed wacker could make a world of difference. but no, people will still go right to the magic line and leave the rest a mess.

Well, now...thats a thought; everyone pitch in and pull all the weeds and house values will go back up.

We're doing that in the Villages.  Our HOA has organized a group of volunteers to cleanup vacant properties that are in the process of being repossessed.

In my opinion, lenders who knowingly make risky loans should lose their business licenses if they fail to provide upkeep for the properties used as collateral for their loans.  They should be held responsible from the day their borrowers walk away.  It is a miscarriage of justice to saddle neighboring  homeowners with this responsibility.                   

Vinny, while I agree with you, I think some meanie could get a burr up their derriere and charge a person with trespassing. Doing it under the HOA's guidance, which has some jurisdiction is different from an individual acting of their own accord. Don't you think?

I haven't moved yet, but I'm making sure my yard is maintained. I don't want any fines (smiles). When a neighbor mentioned to my sister that the front tree was blocking the view of her flag, I had the tree trimmed, as well I should’ve.

I'm an artist and my eyes much like my mind demand things to be aesthetically pleasing, so I'm for anything that gets rid of weeds. And I don’t have a problem with doing extra work.

At first blush, it's understandable that mortgage holders don't want to put a dime into the properties being foreclosed on; but ... the magnitude of homes in foreclosure should suggest to them that it's advantageous to maintain the properties, so as to maintain the neighborhoods, for quicker sales. Their actions are shortsighted if you ask me.