Run-down property owned by Salvation Army

[Emily B.]

I've been taking the advice to look for distressed or run down properties in good neighborhoods and I came across one today (I'm looking for potential buy and holds or flips). In doing an initial search in the public records, the Salvation Army is listed as the owner of the property. The SEV is listed as 0, while the land itself is valued at 23k. The taxes paid are under $100 each year. SEVs of surrounding homes are 50k. I have never seen this, would someone be willing to explain how barely any taxes are paid and no SEV is listed? The house looks abandoned and is a good example of the "worst house in an otherwise great looking neighborhood".

[Account Closed]

The Salvation Army and other non profits are often given properties for free.  Many will be very low value /no value properties that not much can be done with.  Many are left to the SA in people's wills.  Sometimes the non profit doesn't even know they own it. Certain non profits enjoy property tax exemptions and reductions.  It's very common.  

Ask if they want to sell it. Trying to deal with a national non profit about underutilized real estate holdings will be a great learning experience. My experience says it's in the top 10 of futile activities in REI. Maybe you'll get lucky!