Foreclosed homes with unmanageable, unkempt yards is a rapidly increasing problem in Prince William County (web|news) neighborhoods.

While Redd Gallagher takes care of his yard, a next door neighbor's grass grows wild because the house is being foreclosed on. "It's dragging our property values down and rodents could start coming in. You have to be careful with that. My daughter's 15 but you still got to be careful out the backyard."

County officials believe they will have to mow 2,700 yards this summer, while last year they mowed just 135. There are 7,000 foreclosed home in the county.

Authorities fear the impact the eyesores could have on entire communities. "When you drive down the street and there's five or six or ten it really detracts from a neighborhood's appearance and it gives the appearance of a public safety concern because there's so many vacant homes it's an invitation for trespassing and possible vandalism," said Michelle Casciato with PW County Public Works.

Candace Simmerman mows her elderly father's yard and she's frustrated to see the yards in the neighborhood she grew up in so disheveled. "The ones that are foreclosed on I think that they should try to keep them maintained especially if they're trying to sell them. It doesn't show very attractive if you're not keeping the yard up."

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