As the number of foreclosures rises, more and more homes are being left vacant which runs the risk of vandalism, squatters, and run down due to weather, etc. In December of 2007, the amount of foreclosure filings was at 215,749, near to double the previous amount in December of 2006.

This has started a new booming industry: the industry of home preservation. Many firms are taking care of vacant homes: providing upkeep, keeping it squatter free, vandal free, etc for the lenders that have foreclosed the homes or to do this or for middlemen who sell foreclosure homes and hire firms to do the fixing of the homes. These firms can be small local operations or large scale. This is estimated to be over a $1 billion business with around 8,000 to 10,000 active preservation forms operating today. Many firms if not outright hired by the lenders, etc go to the homes and make a repair estimate in order to be considered for the job. Negotiation is often done to allow for the additional expense of the preservation: gas fees, and routine drive by´s amount other things.

Allan Martin, the CEO of Mortgaging Contracting Services LLC in Tampa, FL., has reported that their revenue doubled last year and is expected to do the same this year. Revenue for the Mercantile Group Ltd in Houston, TX. (now running as Integrated Mortgage Solutions) , tripled last year at $9 million and they now service over 50 clients, from their previous number of only 15 a mere 8 months ago. The President of IMS, Cheryl Lang, says "It's such a whirlwind," and that "Hopefully it will calm down soon."