Just bought an occupied (previous homeowner)- now what?

[Kelly Sams]

Hi! We bought our first occupied flip in Ft Mill, SC. We've been trying to get in touch with the occupants (previous homeowners) to no avail. I'm thinking we may get a response from them if I post a 24 hour notice to vacate and they think we're entering. Has anyone ever done this as means to establish communication with the occupants? Of course we can't enter (we don't have keys!), but maybe they'll be home and answer the door? Thoughts, ideas, suggestions? These folks have lived here for 10 years, so pestering neighbors and such isn't really an option either. If we don't hear anything, we will be getting an eviction landlord, though would like to avoid this route is possible. Ideas?! Thanks in advance! Kelly

[Jeff West]

you may need to consult South Carolina laws to see if this is permissible, but in California I posted a 24 hour notice to enter the premises form I got from my lawyers website, with the express intent of seeing if it was vacant listed as the reason on the form. I also left a note saying I would be bringing a locksmith. The tenants (foreclosed upon owners) had been dodging me for two weeks, but as soon as I posted that notice they miraculously called me that night.

If they contact you, you should definitely explore cash for keys as an option to get them out instead of going the full eviction route. You'll possibly save time and money, but you'll run a much higher chance of not having them destroy the property before they are forced to leave.