As the economy begins to finally rebound and more people begin to buy homes again, foreclosed homes are becoming a hot item. Foreclosed homes, especially in areas like Encino, California, sell for less than a regular home and represent a huge boon to any would be home buyer. But foreclosed homes in Encino present a problem for real estate agents and property managers. Foreclosed homes that have stood empty for a while can often collect junk and trash. So what should a busy real estate agent do?

Step 1. Do a walk through and see how bad the damage is … 

Foreclosed homes come in all states of disrepair. You’ll find recently foreclosed homes in fairly good shape most of the time. Homes that have stood empty longer will be in a greater state of decrepitude. If you end up dealing with a foreclosure that has stood empty since the start of the housing crisis in 2007 you may have your work cut off out for you. Many banks foreclosed on homes and, as the housing crisis deepened in 2008, let those homes stand empty and un-maintainted. 

So your first step is to walk through the house, the entire house, and assess it for damage, and repairs and improvements needed.

Step 2. Hire a Junk Removal Company in Encino to Clean Out …

Unless you hit the real estate agent jack pot I can guarantee you that you’ll have a ton of junk to clean out of any foreclosure. I’ve sold three foreclosed homes in the Encino area and I’ve had to have all of them cleaned out. Typically you’ll find the backyard littered with downed yard debris and leftover construction material. Interior you will probably find junk leftover from the previous owner. If you are particularly unlucky you may also find junk and trash left behind by squatters. 

You are going to be faced with a clean up project, so hire a professional junk removal company to do it. You may wish to find a junk removal company with a history of cleaning up foreclosures or one that specializes in foreclosure trash outs.

Step 3. Hire a Contractor

Find a good contractor in the Encino area to make whatever repairs you need. Repairs could be as simple as minor hole patches to something as extensive as replacing all or most of the copper piping in a house. You may also want to have your home repainted. A fresh coat of interior paint can do wonders for a film.

Step 4. Hire a Maid Service

Once a contractor is done, send in a maid service to clean everything from stem to stern. Leave no room unscrubed.

Step 5. Rent Furniture

Furniture helps gives the house a lived in appearance and allows your prospective buyers to imagine themselves in the house. You don’t have to fill every room with furniture. But giving a living room, kitchen, and master bedroom a lived in look.