The state of the local community is a large driver of values across neighborhoods. This means blight is a big drag on nearby house prices. Solutions to curing blight, therefore, often look to solve larger community ailments.

But not always. Check out this latest innovation to boarding up abandoned houses, using a product called SecureView: 

“The product costs little more than plywood boards and is installed quickly and securely, using a technique similar to plywood bolt-boarding.” said Jeanie Fantasia, vice president of the Cleveland-based company. “Once SecureView is installed, the property no longer appears vacant and no longer visually contributes to the blight.”

The difference is minimal, but makes a big difference in overall appeal (click photo to enlarge):

There are pilot programs across the nation. SecureView claims that the product allows people to view inside the property, and while this may aid would-be thieves, it also allows investors touring the outside of the property to get a better idea of conditions inside, and therefore improving saleability.

That can only be a good thing.

jgaffney@housingwire.com