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All Forum Posts by: Hannah Chandler

Hannah Chandler has started 1 posts and replied 4 times.

Post: Vacant property, deceased owner.

Hannah ChandlerPosted
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1
Originally posted by @John Galt:
Originally posted by @Hannah Chandler:

UPDATE! I found out the mailing address on file with the county assessors office was different than the one I found. Doing a search of that address, I found it belongs to an older couple in their 90's (probably his parents) but that house went in to foreclosure 3 weeks ago! How do I go about contacting them!? They may not be in the house anymore... is it still worth sending a letter do you think? 

I'm sort of just determined to solve this mystery now, ha!

Great find - If that new address is within a reasonable driving distance, I would knock on their door. Otherwise sending a letter or two would definitely be the ideal next best steps. 

Seeing that their property is potentially going to be foreclosed upon - you might be able to make an offer on the vacant lot and in exchange your offer affords them the capital to keep them in their own home. Seems like a win-win. Keep us updated and best of luck!

 I thought that same thing... BUT they don't actually own the vacant property. I believe they would have to go through probate court, yes? And if their house went officially in to foreclosure 3 weeks ago, they only have until the trustee sale to settle their debt, right? So... I'm not sure the timing works out. It would be a risk paying off their debt in the *hopes* that they'd go through the probate process to get the property, then sign it over to us.

Post: Vacant property, deceased owner.

Hannah ChandlerPosted
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1
Originally posted by @John Galt:

If the mortgage was still active, maybe you could reach out to the lender of record?

 The mortgage isn't active anymore. It was paid off years ago I think. It was for about 60,000 in 1990!

Post: Vacant property, deceased owner.

Hannah ChandlerPosted
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1

UPDATE! I found out the mailing address on file with the county assessors office was different than the one I found. Doing a search of that address, I found it belongs to an older couple in their 90's (probably his parents) but that house went in to foreclosure 3 weeks ago! How do I go about contacting them!? They may not be in the house anymore... is it still worth sending a letter do you think? 

I'm sort of just determined to solve this mystery now, ha!

Post: Vacant property, deceased owner.

Hannah ChandlerPosted
  • Posts 5
  • Votes 1

Hey guys! I have a rather odd and confusing question. I was checking out a vacant lot today and came across a house that looked abandoned but like it would have tons of potential. I did a quick search of the property, found the owner, called the phone number and it was out of service. I then did some more digging and it appears the owner passed away 13 months ago.

BUT... the property is still in his name. It appears he was a single male and that there is no mortgage. 

I have no clue where to go from here. I assume it will come up for auction at some point if the taxes aren't being paid, correct? I've read somewhere that you can pay back taxes, then file a quiet title action? (I'm in California by the way) Kind of a long game plan but could that potentially be a good way to go? 

What I don't understand is why the title is still in his name if he passed away. Wouldn't the state have taken it over even if they were looking for heirs?