Vacant Home With Hospitalized seller?

[Derek T.]

Hello all..this is my first post after stalking this site daily for the last three weeks.

I have vacant homes that I am researching to wholesale and I have a dilemma. I have a vacant home that I have checked the assessor and county recorders office with and learned the following:

1) The homeowners name and the fact they are current on their taxes
2) The vacant property's owner has this home specifically listed as their address
3) I did a Facebook search on the owner as suggested in another forum I read and I learned that the individual is dealing with serious medical issues for the last 5 years.

There is an abandoned property notice on the door from a month ago..it is overgrown..through the windows the house is in total disarray...

So I have found an "abandoned property" according to the county. The owner is current on property taxes up to April of this year, but by the signs it appears they are getting overwhelmed with being hospitalized which would signal motivated seller to me.

Their mailbox is loaded with mail so I don't think postcards or yellow letters would mean anything.

How would anyone go about trying to contact the individual? Should I just wait? Should I move on? I'm new and reading like a fiend but not sure I've read anything where the owner is currently in the property but just not reachable... Thank you in advance and I'm sorry for the long post but wanted a complete picture for anyone reading...

[Matt Devincenzo]

Like Karen said talk to neighbors, if the homeowner is in the hospital you don't want to approach them the wrong way. I would try to talk to a relative and ask if they realize that the county has posted notices, this will make them aware of the situation and may push them into getting hands on to help the owner deal with the property.

Also if the owner is not of sound mind they may need to become involved in order to have someone be placed as a guardian that can make these decisions for them. I would just talk to a relative and explain the property situation and that you believe you could help if they are so inclined, and then give them some room to think and sort things out. If you don't hear anything check back with the relative in a week or so and see if they have any updates.

You are right this could be a very motivated seller, but don't be a shark, just try to offer to help work this situation out for them if possible.