All Forum Posts by: Tim Mensch

I am a new real estate investor from Bucks County Pennsylvania.  I have been a member of bigger pockets for awhile now but have been using it mainly just to educate myself as much as possible.  I have been listening to podcasts and reading as much as possible.  I can't get enough from the site and thank everyone for the time they take to post such useful information.  I have moved from the education phase of my real estate investment career into the action phase so i figured i should introduce myself and get more involved in the forums.  I am looking to get into buy and holds around the Philadelphia area while using capital gained from flips done in my own area (Fairless Hills).  I have recently enrolled in real estate licensing classes online (I know there are differing opinions on this) in order to give me a competitive advantage in a competitive flip market.  I look forward to interacting with local bigger pockets members and members across the country.  

I have read many books and posts about purchasing properties in pre foreclosure. I have a few properties that i have researched that are vacant with county records listing numerous liens against the house. (some close to the home value) Do any of you guys still pursue these properties before they are officially in foreclosure? The lenders are listed on the county website so i wasn't sure if it is possible to negotiate with them on a sale or just wait it out until the sheriff sale. These particular properties have been vacant for over two years with no date set for any kind of sale. Thanks for the help.

Hello all,

I'm brand new to the world of real estate investing and can't say enough about the biggerpockets community. It has been key to my self education in real estate. I am looking in making my first deal after driving for dollars in my neighborhood. I have a potential property I am interested in but am a little unsure on my next step. Through talking with neighbors, I found out the owner moved halfway across the country. The owner's partial information comes up on google searches, which take you to sites like Spokeo that want you to pay for the rest of the information. Are these sites usually scams or is it worth investing a few dollars in them? Also, how do i get information on liens, unpaid taxes, and how much is owed on the house? Most posts say look on the county website but my county gives very little information. Are title searches expensive? Thanks in advance for any information and i look forward to learning and sharing any information in the future.