First investment property with a squatter

[Lanita Carter]

Hi everyone!!!

I am very new to real estate and I have been looking to get into real estate for some time now. I bought my first investment property from my county's tax auction last month and come to find out, there are people living there with multiple dogs. Does any one have experience dealing with squatters? Any advice is very much appreciated.  

Thank you, 

Lanita 

[Tim Dingman]

Welcome! Always good to see another real estate professional operating in the city we call home.

I know another investor who's in the same boat. I'm his property manager, so it's my job to handle the occupants who have been there since before the auction. (It's not clear yet if they are holdover tenants or the former owners.)

I recommend following @Tim Bishop 's advice and offering a couple hundred dollars to leave ("cash for keys"). If you try to use threats of force right away, the occupants may trash the place or steal the valuable equipment inside before you can get them out. Alternatively, they may be willing to pay you rent. You'll never know if you don't ask!

If playing nice doesn't work out, then eviction is your only hope. Here's an article on the new laws @Matt R. mentioned.