Squatters Caught in My Rental Property That Was Just Remodeled!

My contractor went to finish up a few things at one of my rental properties and caught 2 people in the house and they had pretty much moved in! They ran out of the house and he called the police. The police came very quick and caught both of them hiding close by!
They did not do too much damage to the property but it was super smoky and messy. The police made us give them a chance to get their stuff and did not take them to jail. Because of Covid-19 they were sited, given court dates, and released since it was not a serious crime...
They had moved in most of their clothes, a shopping cart, and various other items. They had even showered and used the washing machine!
We had just been at the house filming the after the repairs video the week before. This is one of the compound houses and we were at the house next door the day before this happened so the people must have been there and we did not even notice!
You can see the video of the house before it was broken into here: • Compound House Finishe...
This turned out much better than the camper video where the police would not do anything. • Someone Moved into My ...
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Mark Ferguson’s purpose is to help as many people as he can become financially free through real estate.
Mark has been a real estate investor and real estate agent since 2001, after graduating from the University of Colorado. Mark has flipped close to 200 houses and routinely flips 15 to 25 houses a year. Mark owns 170,000 square feet of rentals and is the managing broker and owner of Blue Steel Real Estate. Mark has also written 9 books that you can find on Amazon amzn.to/2VGI6a9
Mark started InvestFourMore in March of 2013 to discuss his rental property investing techniques. Mark expanded InvestFourMore to talk about his flipping business and real estate agent business. InvestFourMore now has 300,000 views a month and is one of the top real estate blogs.
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[@73honda350]

Obviously you were correct in assuming these little homes would be highly desirable rental properties. Tenants are so interested they can't even wait for them to get on the rental market. You are indeed a wise and shrewd landlord.

[@investfourmore]

See! 😁

[@onetuliptree]

Ouch! Those squatters sure made a big mess in a short time.

[@investfourmore]

Yes but thankfully little damage

[@jquest43]

@@investfourmore only because you got them early..with meth Longer dwelling=greater trashing

[@neilschipper3741]

Suggestion... trail cameras around vacant properties... they will not stop vandalism but you have a record on who's doing it to give to police.

[@hisforheretic1765]

On the bright side, you came out of this with a sweet shopping cart and a red hobo thong.

[@trishpipkins]

It's so frustrating. It's bad enough they broke in but smoke makes me sick. I would be furious if someone broke into my house and smoked and dropped cigarettes everywhere. I'm glad someone got arrested.

[@jasongates-]

I agree. Smoke is bad.

[@investfourmore]

You could barely smell it after we got all their stuff out

[@pavelushakov6612]

@@investfourmore Ozone Generator helps a ton, too.

[@wkjeom]

@@investfourmore Thumbs up!!!

[@jquest43]

@@investfourmore ozone or chlorine dioxide ( mms. In a cup w fan)

[@dmmgoatcheese6639]

The compound is becoming a literal compound of squatters, good luck to whoever moves in lol

[@investfourmore]

Hopefully it gets better!

[@wkjeom]

@@investfourmore It will get better. I have a great story along those lines but would take too much time.

[@toyotarizzle]

Renting out a house where there are people breaking in probably decreases value

[@Erinnestatic]

Wow... sorry that happened!! 😩

[@huntercynthia1]

Those were some bold characters to break into a new home and use/abuse the amenities.

[@elizabethfrederick2434]

I'm so sorry.What a bummer.

[@bocamax]

Time for a bonfire of all the things they left in the house.

[@deejohnson5163]

Damn squatters. You need to invest in some type of portable alarm systems.

[@loro9385]

It looks like you need to install some kind of security. The way the laws are you could end up with long term squatters. Then it takes lots of time and money to get rid of them.

[@bernzilla393]

Mark, that music cracked me up! Well done!

[@investfourmore]

😁😁😁

[@jennnyandjeffs]

@@investfourmore The pause in the music for the giant hole in the ground was a nice touch. LOL.

[@ljohnson2518]

Yesss the music though🤣🤣🤣

[@bernzilla393]

Mark, If they had to chase that guy you could have played the Benny Hill theme song.

[@NeccoWecco]

I'm so sorry this happened. You can get alarm systems designed for apartments that will beep really loudly if a window is broken or opened. It might be worth the investment as a preventative, and just swap them through your future properties as you go.

[@00Roobs]

Can you tell me of this alarm mentioned

[@Dontwantahandle0]

Never a dull moment, but it was easier getting rid of them than the rogue trailer that was squatting.

[@investfourmore]

For sure!

[@beckymoran321]

This is why we can’t have nice things!!!! 😡

[@investfourmore]

Luckily they didn't do much damage

[@athomewithfrancsicio]

@@investfourmore Cmon man take responsibility and get some security. Sorry this happened to your place but I've rented for 6 years and know how people are especially desperate ones, smart long term squatters can cost you thousands and many bottles of excedrin.

[@3boymama]

This is beyond annoying. People just think they can get whatever they want with no work. Plus any money they get from panhandling is obviously going to cigarettes and who knows what else they're smoking.

[@bluetwinkiesaregood]

That’s why I give the homeless food and drinks. I never give anyone any money, anymore. Not even my friends. I can’t tell you how many times people took advantage of my kindness... Edit: I remember my dad gave a homeless guy money, and he just spent it all on booze. There’s also a lot of fake people pretending to be homeless, or disabled just for money. Its terrible.

[@CoasterCrazyy]

When that suspense music stopped it kind of put my on an edge like something scary was about to happen like when you looked into that hole in the ground you saw the face of one of them and screamed!! XD

[@Whisperwomaneq2]

Honestly, that location is so unsafe for residential. My grandparents bought land next to the Ohio turnpike. The road leading to the toll booths being only yards away. There was constant worry and concern for security while they lived there. As children the 1st thing we heard was to never speak to anyone coming from the road, stay away from strangers when we wanted to play outside. I would not feel safe renting one of those houses there, with all the people who will come wandering off that highway.

[@MajorSeventh]

Off the highway and along the train tracks too.

[@MaxHarrison]

Yeah but there are a lot of people who have lived in the hood or have been homeless. I don't think people like that are going to be scared of this place, it will be a step up for them. "unsafe" is very a very subjective term. He shouldn't have any trouble renting these out.

[@Whisperwomaneq2]

@@MaxHarrison The examples you just listed off are not exactly the type of renter anyone wants.

[@NeccoWecco]

That's not something I ever thought about. Ugh, that's horrible.

[@carmellac2000]

Lol at the music stopping when discovered the hole and then resumes when he focuses back on what’s going on

[@JorgeTamezPhoto]

Part of me feels bad for people that had to fall to such levels of despair to do something like that... but man, how the hell do you trash a place like that so quickly.

[@jasongates-]

True. It's sad that people fall on hard times. And yeah, that was quick. "Money to live" ........ priorities, my man. Priorities. They would rather spend their money on cigarettes than housing. They have the wrong priorities.

[@investfourmore]

.1% part of me feels bad

[@hihaters2004]

Easy for you to say you didn’t spend thousands trying to fix up a property. Dumb ass response.

[@jquest43]

It's drugs

[@amt7877]

@@investfourmore I don’t feel bad for freeloaders, I work hard all my life I donate to the less fortunate but if you just take from people I don’t feel sorry for them

[@josiedaniels3215]

Never a dull moment at the compound!

[@investfourmore]

Nope!

[@larryu2940]

Love the intense music. Sorry this happened, that sucks!

[@saadgt2009]

Never a dull moment, lol! Stay well 🙏🇨🇦

[@arishem555]

Shame, that still you cannot find decent cameras on the market with LTE service to look after properties without tenants. Maybe a motion sensor even would be enough with report via LTE.

[@JL-hn6hi]

I hope these are not boomerang houses with prior occupants returning.

[@investfourmore]

No I don't think so

[@jwollman9475]

Mark, you cannot be surprised that the property is being broken into. It is a shame but not surprising. The location is not the best. You need security patrolling the property or alarm systems.

[@Chewie316]

You're taking this better than I would, I'd be Hella pissed but I guess it's par for the course for you.

[@organized4]

Love the cardboard sign on the floor. Nice touch.

[@roncuthrell1083]

Best way to get squatters out is a box of diamond back rattler snakes and turn them looose in the house

[@NikkiVelazquez]

Man, that sucks! Glad they were caught. And I miss Live PD too!

[@statewench2828]

Never a dull moment!

[@aaronhulka5257]

I like the suspense music lol

[@JaTon]

Oh my! That’s crazy!

[@capeythecockatiel7374]

Thanks for the video! its Colorado you should be packin heat!

[@investfourmore]

My contractor was

[@lifesuchasthis3932]

Thats crazy they trashed it up quick good thing you guys check on your homes

[@pattymiles2688]

Lord have mercy! That would scare me to no end!!!

[@joshuamack9344]

Seems like you got a new camera! Excited to your new videos Mark 👍🏽

[@investfourmore]

Yes! Thank you!

[@lindalong2297]

Ah, the mighty compound.

[@Piaphamu]

They sure made a big mess for being there such a short time!

[@xXBuckOFiveXx]

Well, we all know it wasn't Saber...

[@investfourmore]

Oh man. Good one but morbid

[@lorrieruff4402]

@@investfourmore I know Poor Saber. But I could not help a chuckle.

[@trishpipkins]

Too soon! Haha

[@jasongates-]

@Jimo His life still had value.

[@kevinomalley1145]

Saber's ghost?

[@chevy9256]

Those damn tires lol

[@adape0884frank]

This is very common around in Houston TX and people will get very vicious over there properties.

[@Bill-im6nt]

Great neighborhood, looks like a fresh crop of tires is ready to harvest.

[@marksmith4512]

Put in a ring alarm until you get new tentants

[@jennyronneng7671]

Mark you live such an exciting life!

[@investfourmore]

apparently!

[@slash2487]

Those folks will keep breaking in until you rent those places....

[@graybryan9521]

Interesting video. Sorry you have to deal with this kind of thing. I think you have mentioned it before (maybe?) but what is the deal with all the tires piled up in the yard?

[@cbacamartinez]

OH NO! Glad they got caught! hope it doesnt happen again but it sucks cuz if u rent it out and it keeps getting broken into w renters...

[@jasongates-]

Oh, the joys of realty. Good thing they got someone. I mean, there are plenty of shelters a person could go to, if they really have no where to go. Try there. And if you're going to squat, at least try to find a former industrial building, or something. Not a house, especially not a remodeled one. Thanks for the footage. Very interesting. I was wondering what you meant by "Live Police." I remember "Cops." I guess "Live Police" was a locally televised show in your area. Sort of the same idea as "Cops." Is that right?

[@gregorylevi1826]

WAITAMINUTE! So we just gonna gloss over the giant hole? We ain't gonna talk more about that though? 😳 🤣

[@Stoffmonster467]

Hire somebody who cares about the property, he may get a part of rent as salary or something like that. He should have dogs - no street dogs, but hunting or watch dogs - and clean up and mow the property. He should live there 7 days a week.

[@youtubestudiosucks978]

Then what's stopping their own houses from being squatted in?

[@SJ101x]

Hopefully once all three houses are finished and occupied it will reduce the hassle vacancies can attract. Even if it isn't a very upmarket area, there will still be plenty of good tenants to fill these, and hopefully you find some decent ones.

[@lorrieruff4402]

Always an exciting time on your places Mark. LOL But in this case I would of preferred the, "Where did that camper come from?" scenario.

[@investfourmore]

Oh the camper

[@slash2487]

Unfortunately sqwatters will keep breaking in until you get them rented.😷

[@maryjennings4913]

You aren't the only one missing LivePD!!!! Friday and Saturday nights just aren't the same for me!!!!!

[@investfourmore]

Agreed! Live rescue is decent but not the same.

[@robstephens]

Looks like someone stole the manhole cover. Are the houses on city sewer or septic?

[@investfourmore]

sewer

[@MoniqueFromPlymouth]

I realized you mentioned the police made you give the squatters a chance to get their stuff out of the houses. Presuming you discarded all the remaining belongings they left behind promptly to the dumpster, hopefully they do not return looking to get back the rest of their stuff... because they'll be in for a huge letdown. Thats what you get when you squat and get caught, you'll never see your belongings again.

[@FishizzleBoy]

I’m in the process of buying my first investment property to rent. Should I have a security system installed? Something cheap like simplysafe or ring?

[@litehold1144]

Maybe fencing the whole property is a good idea after all? Why do they have to be so destructive and such pigs about it? Gross.

[@investfourmore]

they could climb the fence then and you need gates that would have to be locked all the time.

[@lockeender]

Hope your insurance pays for the damage. If not then I hope the damage wasn't to bad and costly.

[@investfourmore]

There was not much damage. Not worth a claim

[@i-am-nem]

No more LivePD 😭😭😭

[@edkulk2777]

Maybe something should be done about the open cesspool before a kid falls in there.... Just sayin'

[@investfourmore]

It wasn't a cesspool. But yes it wasn't like that before.

[@edkulk2777]

@@investfourmore Just *very* thankful that you didn't step in it while you were taking video and unaware that it was there. Just please make sure that no one else does. If it is not needed, whatever it is, it would be best to hire someone with a backhoe to dig it out, and fill it in. Then it will never be a problem again.

[@jasonandersen5975]

It’s a sewer access. It has to be there. Somebody stole that access cover.

[@SIMSNYC]

Damn Mark sorry that happened to you but at least it doesn't look like they did much damage

[@yolandacook4420]

Mark, what are you going to do with these hopeless people? That is a real problem. You might need some cameras up so you can keep an eye on your places until you rent or sell them. I am really sad that Live PD was canceled 1 of my favorite shows too!

[@jaybee608]

Oh man! Is this a troubled area? Apparently these are homeless people. Good luck!

[@investfourmore]

It's not that bad

[@malindamooradian5664]

I miss LivePD too Mark!

[@aussiegirl5050]

6 days to trash the place. You wouldn’t want them as tenants, even paying ones. Glad you got them out before they found some law that protects their rights.

[@investfourmore]

I bet it was only a day or two they were there

[@gonefishing3644]

If I had vacant residential properties in sketchy neighborhoods, I believe I would hire some house-sitters. There are plenty of newly unemployed people right now because of the pandemic who could pass a background check. And paying a house-sitter a token amount in exchange for a temporary place to live would cost less than repairing damage by squatters and might even lower your insurance costs.

[@investfourmore]

Assuming the house sitters don't mess it up!

[@gonefishing3644]

@@investfourmore That is why you do the background check and hire people who have good job references.

[@keithwinchester7810]

Common sense would be the house was just remodeled. It should be obvious that it's not abandoned. People will be checking on the house regularly. They were probably drug users with no common sense.

[@investfourmore]

agreed

[@hollymikel5955]

bad boys bad boys. watcha gonna do. watcha gonna do when they come for you?

[@investfourmore]

hahahah

[@mrbeefhead]

i was overjoyed when live pd was reincarnated last year :)

[@investfourmore]

Me too!

[@Hispandinavian]

YUCK 🤢🤮! Can't have anything nice without dodgy people, thinking they can use it. Aside from the filth they left behind, I'd love to have a little house like that. Just a simple and practical structure.

[@investfourmore]

Yup

[@califdad4]

LOL no you shouldn't have such a open hole like that on the property. Is it a septic system?

[@investfourmore]

sewer

[@califdad4]

@@investfourmore guess someone stole the heavy cover and sold it

[@singmysong1167]

True, remember about 10 years ago or more that sweet 3 year old that got stuck in a hole like that and it took hours and hours to get her. It was televised all over the world. So please have the city replace that cover asap, at least do your part and notify them.

[@dolliedoty8907]

That baby fell in a well!

[@houseofno]

@@dolliedoty8907 That was way more than ten years ago. It was October 14, 1987 when baby Jessica fell down a well in Midland, triggering a frantic rescue effort for the next 48 hours.

[@williamsmith7221]

The truth is stranger than fiction

[@robstephens]

Maybe place one of your real estate for sale signs by the house that is currently being renovated - potential squatters will see the sign and assume that it is for sale and may be shown at any time, and maybe they will stay away.

[@bearg-ma9168]

Security like Ring or Blink or something else would alert that the property is being "accessed". Landscaping with fencing would help the homes look less desirable to squatters and more attractive to legitimate tenants.

[@investfourmore]

it is all rented now

[@lilyrose7082]

Unbelievable how much damage they did in such a short period of time! I wonder if they started to get mail in their names so they could have squatters rights! Omg Mark! How scary! I also wonder if they watch your videos and knew you were fixing it up so they went in to squat! I’m glad they got arrested or you’d be hiring lawyers to get them out! They probably had warrants and that’s why they were arrested! Whew! That was a close one!

[@investfourmore]

Who knowS!

[@shawver83]

Jesus, I hate that they shitted it up so bad in there. I mean, it’s bad enough they broke in and were squatting, but why smoke and toss butts and crap everywhere? You’d think they’d have kept their stuff packed up in case they had to leave quickly rather than just fling stuff around like they owned the place.

[@susanrsmith3701]

Yikes!

[@rosesmith6208]

i am surprised they did not say it was a civil matter and you would have to evict.

[@kathrynp7595]

Haha, the pink thong on the sleeping bag, so gross 😩

[@sharoncrawford3042]

Im amazed that people just break in someone elses house and live there.

[@investfourmore]

me too

[@kathleenbyram2871]

Thieves need to go to jail

[@marcuslane3]

Thats that METH.....smh

[@vickichavez9956]

There needs to be stricter laws against squatters

[@crisallen3178]

Incase you didn't know, they have on patrol live on the reelz channel. The first season is over right now but you can demand I'm sure

[@investfourmore]

Yes I have been watching it!

[@jeffbarnes54]

Fix it and sell it fast! I would get out of these really low rent properties in sketchy areas.

[@JohnnyAfghanseed]

funny thing is they had a note saying that they need a little help god bless you thanks. not only are they squatting they are panhandling too

[@houseofno]

Did you notice the pack of cigarettes next to the sign? Doesn't it just make you feel good inside knowing that cash donation is really helping them out (food, shelter, maybe a haircut, a shower, and a better chance of getting a job) instead of contributing to their personal self-destruction vices like cigarettes, alcohol, and illicit drugs?

[@teddybear4020]

wow . this just pop up on my feed . LIVE PD.!!!!

[@Pammellam]

Did you throw their stuff away? I hope so!

[@IvanGorokhov80]

Squatter lives matter!

[@investfourmore]

lol

[@flyferrari458]

How long was the property alone for?

[@investfourmore]

a few days

[@jeanetteredden24]

Hope you are able to rent the property soon to legitimate tenants who will take good care of your property.

[@beckybarbour2906]

They got into some one property and lived there for free but they have no shame or respect for the people property, and it's a amazing how do they find out the house is empty, it almost happens to me when I purchase a house, someone left some bags on the front porch, I have to call the realtor to remove it

[@libra7.063]

You are too calm. I'd be soooo mad!

[@HorseSaddleRider]

No respect. They don't deserve such a lovely little home.

[@sabrinaprince8577]

This is only a suggestion. Maybe once you have done the repairs on the property. You can hire some people to house sit so nobody breaks in.

[@candidegunn3624]

What I don't understand is why they refuse to jail squatters...if you steal something worth $1,000 or more then it is a felony...so stealing one month's rent is more than enough for a felony. then the damage is always more than $1,000. If they want some place free to stay...then jail is the place for them.

[@investfourmore]

They did the second time!

[@donahays7996]

Maybe invest in a fence with a couple Of really really big dogs!! Then maybe These kinds of people won't bother These homes thinking somebody Already lives there until you rent them Out! Men's workboots by the doors too Might help too along with some cheap Blinds on the main windows! Its slot Cheaper then security measures.

[@houseofno]

I respectfully disagree. A good effective security system in the long run will be cheaper than constantly having to repair damage from break-ins. You don't need an expensive, Fort Knox style security system. Bars or grates on the windows (retractable security louvers if you really want to get fancy) and a nice strong reinforced door with a door frame and a deadbolt will do nicely. Nest cameras are not that expensive either.

[@jimcahill6330]

I see you had your pink eviction shirt on.

[@investfourmore]

haha