Bought a foreclosed house but cannot get in touch with owner.

[J Chen]

We bought the house at auction about a year ago. The owner filed bankruptcy afterwards. Long story short. Now we officially got the deed. The court ordered that the owner could stay at the property for 90 days after confirmation of sale. Now 90 days have passed. We tried to contact the owner by emailing her, leaving a note at the door, and calling her. But she never responded. It is hard to tell if the property is vacant or not because the windows are covered by curtains. What shall we do in such a situation? Can we just get a locksmith to open the door?  

[Theresa Harris]

See if the utilities have been shut off.  Talk to the neighbours.  If you've been by several times at different times of day and it looks vacant and there is no activity, I'd go in and take possession.