Posted by dealmaker on May 08, 2006 at 11:31:23:
Time to put on your “detective” hat and track down the owners. If the tax bills are still going to the ppty, I would (1) ask the neighbors if they know anything about contacting the owners, (2) contact anyone in the phone book with same last name if they’re related to, or know the owners, (3) send a letter to the the listed owner, at the ppty address, with a “please forward” notice on it, asking them to contact you (4)if there’s a lender listed, contact them.
If none of these work come back and ask us again. but these are probably the first 4 that a PI would try.
dealmaker
HELP! - Posted by Rebecca
Posted by Rebecca on May 08, 2006 at 09:58:45:
Hi! My husband and I found an abandoned house that could very well be our first big break. We contacted our local utility companies and found out that all services had been discontinued for a while. However, the tax records indicate that they are still being sent to this address. Has anyone ever come across something like this, and if so can you please give us some advice? Thank You.
Did you knock on the door? - Posted by Clint
Posted by Clint on May 09, 2006 at 06:16:15:
Did you knock on the neighbors doors? Neighbors know things…sometimes…
Clint
Re: HELP! - Posted by Henry
Posted by Henry on May 08, 2006 at 19:41:24:
Have you checked the probate records to see if they passed away? You may be able to check this at the county clerk’s website.
Re: HELP! - Posted by Elizabeth NJ
Posted by Elizabeth NJ on May 08, 2006 at 12:08:01:
Rebecca,
Most of what I buy is abandoned properties.
You can use any number of search tools to track down the owners: zabasearch.com is a good one, also searchbug.com, but my favorite is the local phone book. Call everyone with the same last name as your missing owner and simply state you’re looking for that person because that person owns a house you want to buy. DO NOT give out the address of the property or you will lose the deal to one of the people you call. Also be sure to tell the people you’re calling that you’re not a bill collector & not selling anything; otherwise, they might hang up on you.
Once you find the owner, you have to structure your offer to make it clear to the owner that you’re paying off all his outstanding liens on the property which will help clear up his good name & his credit in the future.
Also call your town?s tax collector?s office, or go in person , and ask for a breakdown of all outstanding taxes, including certificates, and any other third party liens on the property. Some towns charge for this information, but it?s usually a nominal fee, and well worth it because it will give you at least a starting point for determining outstanding liens on the property & help you determine your to the owner and still make money. Remember, you’ll still need a title search.
If the owner is deceased, then you’re going to have to take a lot of additional steps to buy the property.
The work in this kind of deal can be quite tedious so prepare yourself & see it through to the end.
Good luck with this. Let me know how it?s going.
Elizabeth