Cut-rate Lawn Care for Foreclosures

Rose's commercial U.S. Lawns franchise in Florida mows and tends bank-foreclosed lots for $10 each. It's essentially a loss leader that keeps him in good graces with the community management company. The idea
is catching on.

When 99 percent of homeowners could be counted on for their monthly dues, there was no problem paying the landscape contractors and their staff. The recession turned those numbers upside down. The 1 percent delinquencies are 10 or 20 percent, if a neighborhood is lucky.

Close to 90 percent of Home Owner Association officers think things will be as bad, or worse, this year, according to a recent statewide study. Almost universally, boards and managers are putting the squeeze on contractors.

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