In the last few years, millions of homes have been foreclosed and experts warn that many more mortgages may still be at risk of foreclosure, as the economic crisis continues. This mortgage meltdown has created a strong demand for field inspectors, who visit foreclosed properties and document the condition for lenders.

Not so long ago, 208 Second Street was home to a family. Now it sits abandoned, home to only weeds and mice. It’s easy to spot the house, with two broken windows and a sign on the front door that says: “U.S. Government Property.” Dan Frazier walks slowly around the house, snapping pictures with his digital camera. “This house has been vacant for almost a year, he said, and I stop by monthly to take photos and do a condition checklist for the bank that foreclosed on it.” Dan is an independent field inspector, which keeps him very busy these days. Since 2007, new foreclosures have tripled across the United States, to record levels. Government regulations now require that the bank or other lender verify the condition and occupancy of the property with regular drive-by property inspections.

Dan’s job is to document the condition of these foreclosed homes, with digital snapshots and a simple condition checklist. It takes him less than twenty minutes at 208 Second Street, then he is off to the next one. In a typical week, Dan will inspect over eighty homes, double the number he did last year. During busy weeks, his wife will often pitch in to help him out.

As the mortgage meltdown destroys lenders, homeowners and real estate agents, Dan finds opportunity in the crisis. Government housing and mortgage experts are forecasting that this mess will take many years to sort out. In the meantime, there is lots of work available for field inspectors, doing property inspections on vacant homes.

Craig Wallin is the author of over ten books about home-based businesses, including Drive-By Profits – Making Money as an Independent Field Inspector, and the editor of Extra Income Bulletin, a resource about honest, home-based businesses you can start on a shoestring. To learn more about becoming a field inspector, go to: http://extraincomebulletin.com