Vacant Home on Tax Sale, owner contacted

[Daniel Kern]

Good Morning,

I have been researching an abandoned property next store to a rental I purchased and was able to locate the family of the previous owner. The home was just listed on our city tax lien sale in NJ for not paying taxes and sewer. I was able to contact the son in law of the previous owner (who passed) and asked him about the potential to purchase. His response was that it has been "a year long battle with the bank since MIL passed and he thinks its still in limbo." Am I too late on this property or is there still an opportunity to make a deal and if so what's my strategy?  Thanks