Nine Ways a Foreclosure Can Kill You

The first step you take into a foreclosed home may be your last. From deadly pit vipers to disintegrating floors, here is a list of serious threats to watch out for.

1. Snakes - pit vipers, diamondback rattlers, etc.

Outlying areas and sky-high grass, as well as the underside of buildings can contain snakes. Cats and small pets are especially vulnerable to snakes. If a nest or eggs are present, the danger of a bite is increased. Snakes are often found on properties near wooded areas or water areas. Also, high grass should be treated with the respect and care that dangerous snakes command. Although high grass can be dangerous, homeowners are still within their property rights to let the grass grow, and some properties might be exempt from new laws against high grass due to grandfathering clauses. A good friend of mine lost his cat to the bite of a pit viper, so there is no doubt that they exist in Georgia.

2. Rats - wharf rats, black rats, etc.

Rats, particularly the ones near a river or other water source, can be especially nasty and they will attack a person if they are cornered or are defending territories that contain families or their young. Rats are very dangerous animals due to the diseases, such as Rat Bite Fever and the Plague. For this reason, never trap a rat into a corner. Also - when searching through properties, be sure to go slow enough that wildlife discovered has a chance to flee, and back off several feet upon discovering any potentially dangerous animal.

3. Stinging insects - fire ants, yellow jackets, hornets, etc.

Stinging insects can leave large pustules on people and ground-based Yellow Jackets can kill a person within minutes by excess stinging. Always keep an eye out for any flying, stinging insects and watch to see where "Home" lies - if there are ground hives, be sure to factor the cost of pest control into the final price of the home.

4. Predators - coyotes, wild dogs, etc (rural areas).

Coyotes, wild dogs (and in some places, pigs and/or turkeys), and other critters can cause deadly interactions with people. Hundreds of small pets have disappeared & coyotes have been recently seen attacking small dogs on leashes. Coyotes are so dangerous (they hunt in packs) that it is always best to house-hunt in groups and to have a chat with the neighbors. Be sure to make plenty of noise and look bigger if you see coyotes or wild dogs. Wild pigs sometimes hunt down animals if they're really hungry, so they are included in this section for that reason.

5. Slip and fall hazards

Some properties have had a last-minute move-out. In these situations, small round objects (beads, marbles, parts of toys, etc.) can be slipped on and larger objects can turn into a trip-and-fall hazard. Some cases of slip and fall lead to broken necks and death, so be sure to pay close attention to any surfaces before you step on them. In bathrooms, leaks can turn tile into a slippery surface. Another source of slip and fall danger is the driveway. Snow, ice, and sleet can turn a wintertime house hunt into an Emergency Room nightmare. Always look up and then down before stepping into a room or outside to avoid hazards.

6. Black mold

Black mold can cause a wide variety of symptoms and is often a hidden threat. Reports have been made public of people walking in and immediately fainting from black mold infestations. Even experienced real estate agents can fall victim to a nice-looking house that harbors Black mold - so it's always best to go house-hunting with an inspector or someone very experienced in home-building or construction.

7. Overdue or Delayed Repairs

Delayed repairs covers anything from lead-based paint that is peeling to a buckling roof in need of replacement. House-hunters need to look up as they enter a room to clear it of any falling hazards. If looking for unfinished houses, consider wearing heavy-duty clothing, safety glasses, and a hard hat for safety reasons. I have seen three houses that had tarp over the roofs. Another house was seen with a crumbling foundation due to floods.

8. Toxic Gases

Radon gas is a perfect example. Another, lesser known, danger lies in houses that have been "winterized." If the job wasn't done right, then sewer gases can rise out of toilets and sinks where all the remaining water has evaporated in the summer heat. When dealing with foreclosures, please be aware of the fact that banks don't always properly maintain their numerous property portfolios. While oxygen isn't really necessary to carry into a house, your sense of smell and feelings of overall wellness or sickness should be paid attention to. Another hazard that is very rare is the potential for natural gas leaks - be sure to look for dead plants / grass over the gas line going into the house. I have had to run from a house that reeked of sewage and ended up sick with nausea. The house had not been winterized correctly and dry pipes allowed sewage gases to seep into the house.

9. Unfinished construction

While no one expects to get electrocuted, the possibility remains in houses that haven't been finished. One electrician in Round Rock, TX (ten-plus years ago) suffered 3rd degree burns over 70 percent of his body by reaching for unshielded pliers that were resting on a hot 220-volt electrical line. You simply don't know what can happen, so don't blindly reach for anything, and be sure to treat all unfinished construction as a potential threat. Some of the foreclosed homes seen on my house hunts were unfinished with exposed wiring and unshielded power sources. The older ones contained crumbling wires where the covers will go to dust when touched.

When you survey any houses for sale, be sure to consult with neighbors and previous owners, if possible. This will give you an idea of any threats you may face.

Source: Personal Experience

This article was sourced with three years of active experience in house-hunting that included visits to dozens of foreclosed properties. The ones at auction were the most dangerous in my experience. Sadly, bank-owned properties were seen as the least-maintained properties so far. As well-financed as they are, banks really should have stepped up to the plate a long time ago, and they are opening themselves up to lawsuits by not maintaining properties.