Why Abandoned Homes Are Abandoned

Have you ever been driving along, on the route you always take, only to pass by that old abandoned house again? Did you ever wonder why it, or any of the other homes in your town are abandoned? Many people do. When it comes to big old houses that have been empty for years we tend to wonder why.

There are many reasons why a house can be abandoned. There are even more reasons why it can remain empty. If you've ever wondered just what those reasons are then keep reading.

The first and foremost reason that houses become abandoned is because they have been lost by their owners. Whether it be because the owners fell behind on their mortgage and lost the property to the bank or because the owners failed to pay taxes on the property and lost it to the county. This is the main reasons for the houses we see that are in good condition yet remain empty.

The next reason that a house will become abandoned is because it cannot be sold. When the owner finds another home to live in for whatever reason and vacates the house it is empty. When it cannot be sold because of a lien on the property or because of another individual on the deed refusing to sell then the house will remain empty. No one wants a house that has a huge lien on it even if they can buy it cheap.

Sometimes houses are abandoned because they need repairs that the homeowner cannot make. When the repairs needed are extensive, such as a new roof, new electrical service, or a crumbling foundation the chances that someone else will want the property are slim. Other times they are just so full of lead and asbestos that they are dangerous to renovate. Houses that are going to cost more to fix than they are worth are often abandoned and remain empty.

Another reason that houses become abandoned and remain that way is because they are not structurally safe and sound. A house with rotted beams just can't be lived in. It is not safe. The cost of replacing the beams in the house and strengthening the total structure is too high. People don't want houses with weak structures as fixer uppers. The houses that you see abandoned that are very old are often abandoned never to be fixed because they are not structurally sound.

Yet another reason that houses are abandoned is because there is no one to claim them. When a person has ownership of a home and then dies generally the home is passed on in a will. What if there is no will and no one to claim the home? It remains empty. If there is no one to claim the property then it cannot be claimed. Eventually it will become property of the county for unpaid taxes.

There are many other reasons why abandoned houses are abandoned. Sometimes there are problems with zoning. Sometimes the water is contaminated, or the soil is. Other times there are unsafe features to the lot such as old fashioned open wells. It is never a good idea to check out an abandoned property for these and other reasons. It can be very dangerous. Thanks for reading and take care!