Zombie homes are the name given to homes that are in the process of being foreclosed upon and have been abandoned by the property owner. In Florida, banks are not legally obligated to take care of properties until the foreclosure process is complete.
Unfortunately for nearby homeowners, the families who are foreclosed on are not the only ones who suffer. For example, in Florida a house worth $250,000 before the housing market crash is now worth only $68,000, due in part to zombie homes in the neighborhood. Zombie homes significantly impact the value of other homes in the neighborhood.
The State of Florida has more than 35,000 zombie homes, which is more than three times the national average, according to RealtyTrac. Many of the abandoned homes have overgrown lawns, plagued by snakes, spiders or other insects. Another common problem among these types of homes is “squatters,” who move into the vacant properties and then file for adverse possession, claiming that they now own the property because they have been living there for a certain amount of time.
Some states are in talks to pass a “Zombie Prevention Bill,” which would hold banks accountable for properties while in the process of foreclosure.
Click here to read more about the toll zombie homes are taking on Florida neighborhoods.
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well-qualified Miami foreclosure defense attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Miami foreclosure defense attorney Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.