Industry Data — Updated 2024–2025
Property Preservation Industry Statistics
Compiled data on vacancy costs, maintenance benchmarks, foreclosure timelines, compliance requirements, and regional service pricing — sourced from federal agencies, industry reports, and field operations data.
Market Overview
15.6M
Vacant Housing Units
10.5% of the 149.5 million U.S. housing units
7.3%
Rental Vacancy Rate
National rate; homeowner vacancy 1.2%
592
Average Days in Foreclosure
Properties foreclosed in Q4 2025 — the window a property sits vacant
Source: ATTOM Data Solutions, Q4 2025
367,460
Properties With Foreclosure Filings
2025 total, up 14% from 2024 and 87% below the 2010 peak
The property preservation industry supports mortgage servicers, government agencies, and asset managers in maintaining vacant, foreclosed, and REO properties. Market size estimates reflect contracted field services including securing, inspections, maintenance, cleanouts, and compliance documentation.
Service Cost Benchmarks
Typical per-service cost ranges based on industry pricing data. Actual costs vary by property type, location, condition, and scope of work.
Initial Securing & Lock Changes
One-time per property
$125–$400
Property Inspection
Monthly
$35–$125
Lawn & Exterior Maintenance
Bi-weekly to monthly
$55–$200
Interior Cleanout
As needed, by cubic yard
$300–$3,500
Winterization
Annual (cold climates)
$150–$450
Minor Repairs & Make-Ready
Per event
$200–$2,500
Cost of Vacancy & Deferred Maintenance
Unmaintained vacant properties accumulate costs rapidly. These figures represent typical financial exposure when preservation services are delayed or absent.
| Risk Category | Estimated Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property value decline | 2–5% per month of vacancy | Accelerates after 90 days without maintenance |
| Vandalism & theft | $3,000–$15,000 per incident | Copper theft, appliance removal, graffiti |
| Municipal citations | $100–$1,000+ per violation | Overgrown grass, unsecured entry, debris |
| Insurance premium increase | 20–50% above occupied rates | Vacant property policies cost significantly more |
| Mold remediation | $2,000–$30,000+ | From unaddressed water intrusion or HVAC failure |
| Liability exposure | $10,000–$100,000+ per claim | Slip-and-fall, trespasser injury, environmental |
Government & Agency Compliance
Property preservation for government-backed loans requires compliance with agency-specific standards. Non-compliance results in financial penalties and claim denials.
HUD
Initial secure within 5 days of conveyance
Risk: Rejection of conveyance claim, financial penalties
VA
Property maintained to VA minimum property requirements
Risk: Claim reduction or denial
USDA
Rural property maintenance per USDA guidelines
Risk: Extended holding costs, claim adjustments
Fannie Mae
REO properties maintained per Fannie Mae servicing guide
Risk: Seller responsibility charges, buyback risk
Freddie Mac
Property preservation per Freddie Mac bulletin standards
Risk: Financial penalties, servicer scorecard impact
Regional Maintenance Comparison
Maintenance requirements and costs vary significantly by climate zone. Southern properties face year-round lawn maintenance and pest pressure, while northern properties require winterization and snow removal.
| Region | Mow Frequency | Winter Risk | Avg. Annual Cost | Top Concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South (TX, LA, AL, AR, OK) | Year-round (26–30 cuts/yr) | Low | $2,400–$4,800/yr | Pest control, storm damage |
| Mid-Atlantic (OH, PA) | Seasonal (18–24 cuts/yr) | High | $3,200–$6,400/yr | Winterization, freeze damage |
| Northeast | Seasonal (16–22 cuts/yr) | Very High | $3,800–$7,200/yr | Snow removal, pipe bursts |
| West / Arid | Minimal (8–14 cuts/yr) | Low–Moderate | $1,800–$3,600/yr | Fire risk, landscaping compliance |
Key Takeaways
$12,000–$40,000+
Average cost of vacancy per property per year
Including value decline, maintenance, insurance, citations, and liability — but excluding potential vandalism or major damage events.
3–5×
Return on preservation investment
Industry estimates suggest that every $1 spent on proactive property preservation prevents $3–$5 in deferred damage, citations, and value loss.
90 days
Critical maintenance window
Properties without active preservation typically show measurable deterioration within 90 days of vacancy — including pest intrusion, mold growth, and code violations.
5 days
HUD initial secure deadline
HUD requires initial securing within 5 days of conveyance. Missing this window risks claim denial and financial penalties for the servicer.
Historical Context
Where today's volume sits against the last foreclosure cycle.
Preservation demand tracks foreclosure and vacancy volume, and both are far below the levels that defined the post-2008 years. The distinction matters for anyone budgeting a preservation program: the work today is steady-state portfolio maintenance, not crisis-scale throughput.
| Year | Properties with filings | Share of housing units | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ~2,900,000 | 2.23% | Peak of the post-crisis cycle |
| 2023 | 357,062 | 0.26% | Down 88% from the 2010 peak |
| 2024 | — | 0.23% | Cycle low in share of housing units |
| 2025 | 367,460 | 0.26% | Up 14% year over year; still down 87% from 2010 and 25% below 2019 |
46,439
Properties repossessed by lenders (REO) in 2025, up 27% from 2024.
ATTOM, year-end 2025
592 days
Average time in the foreclosure process for properties foreclosed in Q4 2025 — the window a property sits vacant and needs maintaining.
ATTOM, Q4 2025
15.6 million
Vacant housing units nationwide — 10.5% of the 149.5 million total. Rental vacancy 7.3%, homeowner vacancy 1.2%.
U.S. Census Bureau, Q2 2026 (CB26-116)
Two figures matter more than the headline volume. The first is the 592-day average time in foreclosure: that is the period a property is typically unoccupied and accruing risk, and it is the window a preservation program actually covers. The second is the 15.6 million vacant units — a pool far larger than foreclosure activity alone, because vacancy also comes from turnover, relocation, probate, and commercial space between tenants. Foreclosure volume sets the floor for preservation demand; vacancy sets the ceiling.
Methodology & Sources
This data is compiled from publicly available federal agency reports, industry publications, census data, and field operations benchmarks. Cost ranges reflect typical industry pricing and may vary by market, property type, and scope of work.
Key sources include:
- U.S. Census Bureau — Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership, Q2 2026 (CB26-116)
- ATTOM Data Solutions — Year-End U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, 2025
- ATTOM Data Solutions — Year-End U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, 2023
- HUD Handbook 4000.1 — property preservation allowances and conveyance requirements
- Fannie Mae Servicing Guide F-1-05 — expense reimbursement schedule
Ethreon compiles and updates this data for informational purposes. We recommend verifying current agency requirements directly, as guidelines change periodically. Last updated: September 2026.
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