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Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
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Even the courthouse can get sold at the tax auction.....Corning, NY-Steuben County

Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
Posted Jul 14 2023, 20:48

$142,500.... 

https://www.the-leader.com/sto...

What interesting homes or buildings have you seen auctioned at the tax sale?

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Ned Carey
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Ned Carey
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ModeratorReplied Jul 14 2023, 21:17

A ground lease for the land under the Balitmore city dept of housing went to tax auction a couple of times. I couldn't believe it so I looked it up in the land records. It was one of the most complex legal documents I have ever seen. 

I was to chicken to bid on it. I was too afraid it wasnt' what I thought it was. 

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John Underwood
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John Underwood
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Replied Jul 15 2023, 04:33
Quote from @Ned Carey:

A ground lease for the land under the Balitmore city dept of housing went to tax auction a couple of times. I couldn't believe it so I looked it up in the land records. It was one of the most complex legal documents I have ever seen. 

I was to chicken to bid on it. I was too afraid it wasnt' what I thought it was. 


I have seen HOA pools, apartment complex parking lots. I saw a Bojangles once.

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Don Konipol
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Don Konipol
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  • Lender
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Replied Jul 15 2023, 06:21
Quote from @Bruce Lynn:

$142,500.... 

https://www.the-leader.com/sto...

What interesting homes or buildings have you seen auctioned at the tax sale?

A townhouse that was only 8 feet wide. 

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Richard Elvin
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Richard Elvin
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Replied Jul 17 2023, 06:09
Quote from @John Underwood:

I have seen HOA pools, apartment complex parking lots. I saw a Bojangles once.

Just curious, if you bought the HOA pool, or apartment parking lot, would it then be privately owned by you, assuming it wasn't redeemed? As in, you could lock everyone out and have a giant private pool? Or, in the apartment complex parking lot, charge everyone a monthly fee to park? (I'm not interested in doing this, it just sparked my curiosity.)

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John Underwood
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John Underwood
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Replied Jul 17 2023, 06:11
Quote from @Richard Elvin:
Quote from @John Underwood:

I have seen HOA pools, apartment complex parking lots. I saw a Bojangles once.

Just curious, if you bought the HOA pool, or apartment parking lot, would it then be privately owned by you, assuming it wasn't redeemed? As in, you could lock everyone out and have a giant private pool? Or, in the apartment complex parking lot, charge everyone a monthly fee to park? (I'm not interested in doing this, it just sparked my curiosity.)
In therory yes. I imagine it might be a fight.
You could charge for parking passes maybe?
Rent out the pool for parties?

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Richard Elvin
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Richard Elvin
  • Investor
  • Cleveland, TN
Replied Jul 17 2023, 06:27
Quote from @John Underwood:
Quote from @Richard Elvin:
Quote from @John Underwood:

I have seen HOA pools, apartment complex parking lots. I saw a Bojangles once.

Just curious, if you bought the HOA pool, or apartment parking lot, would it then be privately owned by you, assuming it wasn't redeemed? As in, you could lock everyone out and have a giant private pool? Or, in the apartment complex parking lot, charge everyone a monthly fee to park? (I'm not interested in doing this, it just sparked my curiosity.)
In therory yes. I imagine it might be a fight.
You could charge for parking passes maybe?
Rent out the pool for parties?
I would be the most hated guy in the neighborhood, maybe second to the HOA for allowing it happen in the first place. 
Thanks for the info. This idea made me chuckle.

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Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent Contributor
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Bruce Lynn#2 Real Estate Agent Contributor
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Coppell, TX
Replied Jul 17 2023, 07:55

@Richard Elvin It happened in San Francisco a few years ago. HOA ended up challenging the sale, saying they weren't properly notified and was able to get it back. I believe that sale was cancelled.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/ba...
Don't know, but I'll guess the buyer had a lot of legal fees that were not reimbursed...so negative on that deal.

While it seems genius at the time, it might be more pain than it's worth.

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Richard Elvin
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Richard Elvin
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Replied Jul 17 2023, 09:00

@Bruce Lynn I remember when that happened. I figured they would lose one way or another. Definitely not something I would want to attempt. Some things are funny in the abstract, but a really bad idea in practice.