While Realtors may be the contact point for some business, most trash outs are ordered by the management company hired by the lender. Asset management companies hire subcontractors to change locks, winterize properties, and remove debris. If you have an interest in this business, I suggest you reach out to the management companies.

However, I do concur that this is a temporary short-lived business. You will spend a year building up contacts and then the tide will change. There will be too many suppliers and the need for clean up will start to dwindle.

What will you do then?

I would suggest that you evaluate other types of business that have longevity.

Deborah Madey - Broker
Peninsula Realty Group
732 530-6350

Lorraine, I suggest you start by contacting some Realtors that are specialists in REO or bank owned properties and short sales (obviously not those who find your entrepreneurial spirit laughable). I know on several occasions I could have used the services of a clean out specialist for some of my short sale listings.

Sorry I don't know of any books, try the local library.

Good Luck!

Blaison,

Lorraine deserves to know what the trash-out business is REALLY like. It's a horrible business. Yes people do it, but someone looking to start a cleaning business has a whole panapoly of better options than the miserable and dangerous world of foreclosure trash-outs. I've seen the business close-up for 20 plus years. When I appraise these properties, I often like to go while the trash out people are there for reasons of personal safety. Trust me these are not happy people and this is not a happy business. And there's not all that much money in it either.

Besides that, it is also a temporary business. By the time Lorraine gets it all going in 1-2 years, the stream of foreclosures is going to stop. Then you will have Hefty bags of trash out companies and no business.

Lorraine, clean offices and homes. There's always good demand for reliable and thorough cleaning services. Stay away from the trash-out business. It's just a misery.

-Marc

Balison,

With all due respect, all I can say is that markets differ. Here in NJ, the % of foreclosures is minimal as compared to CA, therefore, foreclosures tend to be those in extremely distressed states. Hence, the reaons for all the negativity.

I might agree that in CA, there may more opportunity for such a business.

Francesca

I'm not sure why below realtors gave this kind of answer. If he can go there with the jeans and used to those kind of area then why can't a new guy can go their to do his business. All new business will be difficult in the begining but then it will be easy because of your experience.

If others are doing the cleanning business in those areas then Lorraine, I think you can also do it, so:
1. Go talk to 5-10 local realtors personally who gets reo listings in your local area and check with them if they need your service or how you can start getting into those business. On Trulia, you can get suggestions but not business, so take some action and go out and find business.
2. Talk to other 5-10 cleaning business people who are already in this business and get some idea of what kind of jobs they do and in that way, you can check whether you will like to do it or not.

I'm sure if you talk to local reo realtors, you will get a starting point... You will get lots of negative people who doesn't want you to get into this business or their competition, so ignore those and find for some positive people if you really wants to get into this business.....Good luck!!

LOL, I must concur with Marc's commentary and add . . . copper piping GONE! (stolen by drugees to sell for fast cash) and opening doors with a client in tow only to find that not only the doorway has now become a part of my being, but the roof falling upon us!

For all of the above reasons, I often recommend short sales where the seller is not just yet disgruntled with their situation and remains optimistic about the outcome of a sale!

Francesca Patrizio, Realtor Associate
NJAR Circle of Excellence '06-07
Cell: 732.606.2931

Ummm, no.

You have no idea how filthy these houses can be. Dead animals, live animals, roaches, lots of live roaches, crawling insects of all kinds in 90 degree temperatures, rotting food, human excrement, noxious odors and substances that will make your hair curl. And oh yes, dead bodies. Or worse, live bodies, druggies and other squatters.

These are some of the things I run into every day in being one of the early visitors to a foreclosed home. Most of the action is in the urban slums, so you had better be comfortable hanging out in some bad neighborhoods. It can be frightening, but I've gotten used to it. I go in jeans and a hoodie to blend in. I keep my head down and my crowbar close by.

Also the trash-out guys usually get to board the house up, so you need a truck, access to cheap plywood, and the physical wherewithal to undertake that task, again in 15 degrees in January or 95 degrees in July.

You are also competing with landscapers and other out-of-work types who will work cheap.

I'd look for another opportunity.

-Marc

Marc Paolella
Relocation Director
Member, Worldwide ERC
Licensed Realtor NJ
Licensed Appraiser NJ & NY
Century 21 Joe Tekula Realtors
Agent of the Year 2008
Owner: Sands Appraisal Service, Inc.
Phone (direct): (973) 584-4235
web: http://www.marcpaolella.com