Having Problems w/Code Violation & Out of State

I'm having problems getting lists of properties in northern virginia with code violations and with out of state owners. I've called a couple of times and keep getting told by the courthouse that they don't have lists of properties meeting these criteria and the only way they can tell you if the owner is out of state or has a code violation is to give the property's address.

I am planning to go down in person and try that way, but do you guys have any tips? Are there counties where they really don't provide lists of properties meeting those criteria?

Thanks

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:24AM

Ralph S.

Real Estate Investor

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Aug 19 '09, 01:36 AM

You're looking in the wrong place. Unless the authority that issues the code violations actually file a lien or something against the property, the courthouse or assessor will have no record of code violations.
The housing/inspection/whatever department of the county/city that issues code violations is where you should be looking. They issue the violation and have the owner information. I've found them to be less than cooperative, however. Expect to be treated like an ambulance chaser.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:24AM

Jon Carcone

Real Estate Investor · Arlington, Virginia

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Aug 19 '09, 05:29 AM

Thanks for the guidance. Since they're less than cooperative is the trick just to be politely persistent and keep asking or is there something specific i should be saying/doing?

Like are they required to provide it or are they bending the rules by giving that information out?

thanks

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:25AM

Ralph S.

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Aug 19 '09, 06:02 AM

I don't know if there is any trick. Just told by several people that they don't offer it to the public. One person suggested a Freedom of Information request, since it is basically public information. Maybe your office will be different. I was in Wisconsin, and got the same response in 2 different cities.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:25AM

Dory Peters

Real Estate Investor · dc, Washington D.C.

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Aug 24 '09, 11:06 PM

Although I'm not sure about Arlington County, I know that certain code violations in DC are a matter of public record. One can obtain some info via OTR and code enforcement officers. Also, I called to inquire for similar information in Fairfax County, and I was directed to various county and state offices (depending upon the type of code violation).

Another "trick" to getting a contact is to call/write your county code enforcement agency to report a violation. Use the mini-skirt approach: provide enough details to cover the subject, and keep your description short enough to keep it interesting. Stated another way, give them enough info to warrant further investigation into the matter, and leave out enough details to make them want to call you back.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:28AM

Jereme Peltier

General Contractor · Knoxville, Tennessee

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Aug 24 '09, 11:57 PM

Jon I deal with code enforcement on a daily basis in 4 different states 2 of which I am not part of the "good old boy" system. I have had 2 projects shut down by CE and they make you jump threw all of their hoops. As far as getting any info from them I do agree that you will have to be property specific, in my years of dealing with them I have never seen a generic list of properties. Code enforcement is a different breed all together, in my opinion if your not generating income for them, or part of their click they are very unlikely to assist you. But that is the contractor side of me I avoid them like the plague. Good luck to you and please update me this subject is one that has my attention.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:28AM by Jereme Peltier

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Rachel H.

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Jun 15 '10, 08:48 AM

I've never actually been able to obtain a list per se. Though, I usually just try to spot the homes with the stickers attached - this will involve scout work and actually going into the neighborhoods you're interested in. Then, looking up the addresses in the tax records for the mailing address - if out of state. If you can track down the actual person who issues the code violations, that's a plus. Hope that helps!

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:14PM

Sam M.

Real Estate Investor · Kalispell, Montana

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Jun 15 '10, 09:08 AM

I don't think anyone is going to compile a list for you. You may be able to assess the information available to the public to figure out a way to compile a list yourself. That is how it is done most places. AKA "WORK" :)

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:14PM by Sam M.

Jeff Z

Real Estate Agent · Portland, Oregon

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Jun 15 '10, 06:17 PM

Originally posted by Sam M.

I don't think anyone is going to compile a list for you.

Unless it's somewhere like Multnomah County, Oregon. When I called, not entirely sure what to ask, the person on the other end had no problem telling me exactly what I was looking for. The "Red Tag List", she said, which she'd be happy to give me. For $50.

I mistakingly didn't ask how often it was updated, but I did get the sense that I wasn't the only one looking for it, so I passed on spending money for a list that a number of people already had.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:15PM

Account Closed

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Jun 19 '10, 08:22 AM

Another suggestion would be just to contract the work out to someone on craigslist. Make sure you get a photocopy of i.d. and a pretty good contract and tell them you want to hire them on regular basis paying them a negotiated amount per set amount of names/addresses.

Make it worth their while and tell them you would also pay them whatever to check the houses out if you needed them too.

Michael

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:17PM

Joey Tomaselli

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Apr 28 '11, 02:20 PM

Hey Michael I too wholesale properties in Houston :D

Member of Lifestyles and the Wealth Club.

Edited: 04/28/2011 at 02:28PM by Moderator