Locating the owners of abandoned houses

I've been wholesaling for about a year now and I seem to run across the same consistent problem. How do you find the owner of and abandoned house?

I've heard put your sign in their yard
Leave notes on the door

Isn't there an easier or more specific way to find the owner? When I look at the tax records, I don't see any information that will help me find them.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:17PM by Charisse C.

Sam M.

Real Estate Investor · Kalispell, Montana

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Jun 18 '10, 07:38 AM

Neighbors can be very helpful. I have located several people that way and even got a deal on one. The neighbor actually faxed my information to the owner and they contacted me.

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

Andrew Massaro

Wholesaler · Tampa, Florida

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Jun 23 '10, 05:39 AM

Yes, knocking on the neighbors' door is a great way. And, if you want the info bad enough, you can hire a skip tracer. It's not free though...

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:20PM

Mark Updegraff

Multi-family Investor · Rochester, New York

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Jun 23 '10, 05:45 AM

county clerk, start with the address, then you look at the deed, get the name, then search the name and you get the rest...

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:20PM

Mitch Kronowit

SFR Investor · Orange County, California

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Jun 23 '10, 05:48 AM

Originally posted by Charisse C.

When I look at the tax records, I don't see any information that will help me find them.

When you say "tax records", do you mean you looked at the county tax accessors records? Have you tried the county recorders office? Try looking under property profile. Otherwise, try the grantor/grantee index. You may have to purchase a copy of the deed (probably not more than $5), but there should be an address at the top left you could use.

Good luck.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:20PM

Brian Frierson

Real Estate Investor · oakland, California

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Jun 23 '10, 06:35 AM

If you go by the house and don't see mail piling up,( I have even checked the mailbox,don't take the mail out of the box!, that is a crime) then there is a good chance they have a mail forwarding in place. I have mailed letters to the subject property and in about 2% of the mailings, i was able to get in touch with the owner. I looked for owners who were still on title but had abandoned the property. Tax rolls will only help if the property is an investment property, and the owner has their mail sent else where.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:20PM

Charisse C.

Real Estate Investor · New Jersey

16 posts
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Jun 24 '10, 05:17 AM

Thanks everyone for all of the wonderful advice! I will definitely put it to use. Knowledge truely is priceless! I wish there was a way for me to give back to everyone on BP what they have given me to help develop my business.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:21PM

Delondon Dear

Real Estate Investor · 30906, Georgia

142 posts
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Jun 24 '10, 08:26 PM

You better put on them brass knuckles and get to knocking. lol. That is the best way to find them with out having to come out of pocket.

Eventually you are going to want to hire some people to do this work for you.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 01:21PM