Its abandoned but where are the owners

[Josh Norris]

So I'm having an issue that I haven't had to deal with yet and I'm counting on the countless brilliant real estate minds on Bigger Pockets to help. I found a property in the Seattle, Washington area that is definitely abandoned. When I look up the parcel number and search for all records with the owners names all I can really find is an ASSIGNMENT DEED OF TRUST/MORTGAGE record, what exactly does this mean? Is this showing that the property has been put into a trust? I cant find any other properties under their name, no death certificate, not beneficiary info. Under the tax records they are up to date on their taxes and the property address is where the taxes are being sent. I am looking for any other tricks to find who I can contact to make an offer on the property.

Thanks in advance

[Brian Burke]

Josh,

The assignment of deed of trust is the document used to transfer ownership of the borrowers loan between lenders. For example, if BofA were to sell the loan to Wells Fargo, they would use that document to effect the transfer. It has nothing to do with ownership of the property.

The tax records would show the most current owner and the address where the tax bills are mailed, presumably the address where you would find the owner. As you can see, it isn't always the case.

Try talking with the neighbors. Many times, they will know the story. Google the address and the owner's name. Check the phone book (remember those?). Run the owner's name in the tax records of adjacent counties to see if they relocated there.

SOME county tax rolls allow you to drill down to see WHO paid the taxes. Sometimes it is the lender. Sometimes it will be some other individual, and that gives you another name to trace...