I have only purchased vacant properties through the tax sale in Kansas City, KS and avoid buying occupied properties because I don’t know the process of eviction/ejection.
Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I purchased an occupied SFH on the courthouse steps around eight months ago, tried the nice guy approach and I got played like a cheap guitar. After closing, I knocked on the door and politely introduced myself. The move out agreement started out with hugs and thank yous. Myriad sad stories of hardship, life's unfairness and five move out date extensions later, it was nasty, high drama and unsafe. The occupants had not paid the mortgage in 18 months. They were players with nothing to lose and I was an idiot. Fortunately, the mom and adult sister of the male adult occupant were wonderful people and contacted me regarding what I was up against. They ran interference and assisted in getting the occupants out within a couple weeks. Without them, best case I wasted 45 days of high drama; worst case I could have gotten my butt kicked or shot. I still look over my should when I am there doing repairs. My lesson learned - I'll never knock on the door again. The eviction will be formal and by the book. Play it safe safe and I wish you the best.
Investor · Jasper GA · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
7y
@Maria Valencia Hopefully you will get some good advice here soon but I'd suggest you spend a little money and time with a local knowledgable attorney.
Investor · Independence mo · Member since 2011 · 165 posts · 49 votes
7y
I can’t say about Kck but I just bought one at the tax sale this year & had occupants in Kcmo. All I did was fill out a simple form and the sherrif comes out about a week later. Free of charge. Kansas is usually easier than Missouri on stuff.
Rental Property Investor · Concord, NC · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 3k+ votes
7y
I purchased an occupied SFH on the courthouse steps around eight months ago, tried the nice guy approach and I got played like a cheap guitar. After closing, I knocked on the door and politely introduced myself. The move out agreement started out with hugs and thank yous. Myriad sad stories of hardship, life's unfairness and five move out date extensions later, it was nasty, high drama and unsafe. The occupants had not paid the mortgage in 18 months. They were players with nothing to lose and I was an idiot. Fortunately, the mom and adult sister of the male adult occupant were wonderful people and contacted me regarding what I was up against. They ran interference and assisted in getting the occupants out within a couple weeks. Without them, best case I wasted 45 days of high drama; worst case I could have gotten my butt kicked or shot. I still look over my should when I am there doing repairs. My lesson learned - I'll never knock on the door again. The eviction will be formal and by the book. Play it safe safe and I wish you the best.
Real Estate Broker · Coppell, TX · Member since 2011 · 5k+ posts · 4k+ votes
7y
I don't know about Kansas, but our laws in Texas are pretty easy to read and follow. I'd start there by seeing if you can look up the laws about eviction. If it is the JP court in your location that handles them, I would also take a look at their forms and attend a JP court session where they are deciding cases. So you can see what evidence the judge requires or wants to see.
You might also attend a REIA group in your area....network with other investors. See what they do and how they handle.
Another note for tax sales is don't always jump to the immediate decision that you have to evict people. They might pay you rent. I'd go see who is in the house and see what they want to do. If they are renting, maybe they want to stay? Maybe they will pay you to stay. Even if it was the former owner, they may be able to stay and pay rent. That way you have no vacancy, no cleanup, no repairs, no leasing fee.
Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 13k+ votes
7y
@Maria Valencia you need to find out if a tax sale wipes out a lease or not. In MD it does. I don't know the law in your area but it should be something like a tenant holding over, Wrongful Detainer, or a traditional tenant eviction. There will be a legal process to go through and you just need to know what it is.
We post a notice on the door asking them to leave. This usually gets them to call us so we know the property is occupied. Sometimes people just move out, sometimes no matter haw fair and caring you try to be, you get taken advantage of.
@Terrell Garren yes we like to say no good deed goes unpunished.