The nationwide boom in foreclosures and bank-owned real estate (REO) property sales to investors is producing an unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effect: Growing numbers of confrontations occur when investors visiting supposedly empty properties find them occupied — and the inhabitants don’t want to leave or let anybody in.

That was the message at the recent REOMAC bank-owned real estate convention in Hollywood, Florida from Rafael Dagnesses, REO director for Quantum Realtors in Los Angeles.