Foreclosure

[Saravana Bhavan]

I have won a foreclosed home in Maryland in auction. I am not sure that the former owner is still in the house.
1. Can I knock the door to find out and talk about cash for keys?
2. If he is not in the home when I go there, can I paste a letter in the door to call me to talk about cash for keys? is any of these illegal to do?
3. If the former owner had already vacated, do I still need to start the eviction process?

Thanks.

[Mark Ferguson]

We always offer cash for keys even if it is only $500. We also have occupants sign an agreement saying they are giving up possession and all rights to the property in exchange for the cash for keys. That way we have something in writing if they come back later on saying they were kicked out without eviction or the bank foreclosed wrong or something. It's not fool proof but always helps to have something in writing.