Abandoned Homes Off Market Need Your Help

Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2018 · 37 posts · 12 votes

I found this great house in a highly trafficked area. It appears to be abandon. When I checked the city records I was able to retrieve a name, but the owner address goes to the abandoned home. What other options are there in connecting with the homeowners?

And if abandoned, what's the first trail I should take towards buying? Who should I contact first?

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Brent ReynoldsPro Member

Real Estate Agent · Clermont, FL · Member since 2021 · 31 posts · 35 votes

Quote from @Pamela Bunkley:

And if abandoned, what's the first trail I should take towards buying? Who should I contact first?

Hi Pamela -

Couple of thoughts here..

Send a letter to the address on file. Mail may be forwarded at the post office.

Now that you have the name, use your county appraiser's office website to search for other properties owned by the same name. This may surface other properties owned and some new contact information.

Search the county's online tax records for tax or other liens which may bare more contact information

In Florida, we can contact a title search company directly and pay for an O&E title search (around $100) that essentially does this work noted above and a little more. You may consider talking to a real estate attorney in your area for advice on how to do something similar and get their help interpreting the results.

Hope that helps!

[email protected]

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Phil Crocker
Avenel, NJ · Member since 2018 · 3 posts · 0 votes
4y
@Pamela Bunkley I would look for tax records or title company. Where is the property? What are you looking to do?
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Pamela Bunkley
OP
Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2018 · 37 posts · 12 votes
4y
I'm leaning towards flipping. Homes in the area are ranging from $280 - $350k
it's 3/2, 2,700sqft. w/huge backyard. Corner lot.
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Brent ReynoldsPro Member
Real Estate Agent · Clermont, FL · Member since 2021 · 31 posts · 35 votes
4y
Quote from @Pamela Bunkley:

I found this great house in a highly trafficked area. It appears to be abandon. When I checked the city records I was able to retrieve a name, but the owner address goes to the abandoned home. What other options are there in connecting with the homeowners?

And if abandoned, what's the first trail I should take towards buying? Who should I contact first?

Hi Pamela -
Couple of thoughts here..
Send a letter to the address on file. Mail may be forwarded at the post office.
Now that you have the name, use your county appraiser's office website to search for other properties owned by the same name. This may surface other properties owned and some new contact information.
Search the county's online tax records for tax or other liens which may bare more contact information
In Florida, we can contact a title search company directly and pay for an O&E title search (around $100) that essentially does this work noted above and a little more. You may consider talking to a real estate attorney in your area for advice on how to do something similar and get their help interpreting the results.
Hope that helps!
[email protected]
2 Reply
Malcomb StapelPro Member
Investor · Topeka, KS · Member since 2020 · 669 posts · 488 votes
4y
@Pamela Bunkley you could try Facebook, shoot them a message, see if they respond.
1 Reply
Pamela Bunkley
OP
Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2018 · 37 posts · 12 votes
4y
@BrentReynolds
excellent advice. I'll contact a title company today.
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