subject: Foreclosure Trash Outs: There's A Reason We Need Property Preservation [print this page] Foreclosure Trash Outs: There's A Reason We Need Property Preservation
A Police Officer Trashes His Foreclosure - and the Law.Property preservation is the biggest foreclosure business opportunity for a reason. With millions of home foreclosures happening on a yearly basis since the start of the housing crisis, there is no shortage of work available for anyone specializing in doing foreclosure trash outs.In addition, some homeowners, while exiting their foreclosure property, are only too happy to add to a property preservation company's "to-do" list.It's no secret that many people, when they face foreclosure, do some damage to their homes before they are forced to leave. Maybe they'll kick a hole in the wall, steal a built-in appliance, or leave a lot of trash lying around. In most instances, the damage is to minor for anyone to pursue legal action - it's up to a foreclosure contractor to handle it.But one Southern California couple took things to a whole new level that landed them in hot water with the law. Which is ironic, as the husband was, in fact, a police officer.San Diego police offer Robert Acosta, and his wife, Evette Acosta, were charged in late September with both destroying and stealing items that were attached to the mortgaged property, with intention to injure or defraud. They could spend up to 4 years in prison.Court records show that the San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union gave the Acostas until July 1 to leave their home, which was in the foreclosure process. The Acostas actually left a few weeks before that, and not quietly; a witness said in a statement that, on June 12, he saw the couple removing air conditioners and other appliances from the home - including an entire garage door!Not only that, they went out of their way to do some serious damage to what they left behind. The felony charges against the Acostas state that stones were smashed off the facade, the carpet was ruined with dye, wiring was ripped out and trees were thrown into the swimming pool.What prompted this level of destruction? Well, in emails provided by the credit union, the police officer's wife was demanding $10,000 in return for the couple leaving the home without argument and in good condition. The credit union refused - and the Acostas allegedly went on their rampage in retaliation.But they still don't win the foreclosed home demolition derby. That honor belongs to Terry Hoskins of Moscow, Ohio - who actually bulldozed his home back in February and leveled it to rubble before the banks could get their hands on it.Damaged foreclosed homes are providing a lot of work - and income - to those ready to take advantage of this growing market.
