trying to find information about an abandoned property

starjj · #21 06/18/09, 07:44 PM

Similar situation here but a larger parcel with a very nice home on it. Owner gets in fights regularly with neighbor last one being property line. Owner shoots gun at neighbor's wife and gets arrested (so I hear). Owner says he is NOT coming back and he hasn't, now property just sits getting overgrown. Too nice a place to walk away from. I would love to add some more acreage to my place though.

Doc · #22 06/18/09, 08:05 PM

Narshalla: title search -- great idea. I've tried talking to the mortgage company, but they won't budge with info. At this point, we're just trying to find out how much the mortgage is on the property, how much it is worth, that sort of thing. Things that you would think are public info (like tax value), but are not.

Yvonne's hubby · #23 06/18/09, 08:14 PM

You should have a public records office of some kind, in Kentucky everything is filed in the county court clerks office and locating all the needed information is simply a matter of going in and looking up first the current owner of said property at the tax assessors office. Once you have the owners name you can look up where they recorded the deed in the clerks office. Then check the mortgage records for anyone with that name and any mortgages listed against that property. That will tell you the financial institution involved. I have yet to find a state in which all of the above information is not a matter of public record, and is available to the public if one knows which office to look it up. In our local area here in Ky, everything, deeds, mortgages and other records filed are available on the clerks office computers which makes it must simpler than searching through the paper records, but even the older stuff is available and recorded in a simple enough fashion that most anyone can find the info you are looking for.

kritter8888 · #24 06/18/09, 08:41 PM

Ok this maybe a long shot but if you live in a relatively small town and got some free time on your hands try the phone book (maybe you can do this online to im not sure) but look for the address and if you find it you have a phone number might or might not work but at least you would have a name. Beware you run the risk of them not having a phone number and your efforts going to waste. When I was young I did this and I found what I was looking for.

Dutchie · #25 06/18/09, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Thanks for all the good information. I don't think I made myself clear on a couple of points from reading the responses. Here is what we have done (and continue to do):

1. Mortgage Co: Beneficial (who has closed all local offices). Spokesperson says they are bound by law and cannot reveal if property is in foreclosure.

2. Clerk of Court -- a real nightmare. They don't post anything online; therefore, you have to make time to go to the bulletin board outside their office where they post foreclosures DAILY, not weekly. This is a 20 mile trip for us and can't be done daily. COC -- not at all helpful in answering questions.

3. Register of Deeds/Tax office: agent said they are currently trying to collect property tax that has been in arrears for six months. She referred me COC.

4. Owners' address -- listed as current property. Next-door neighbor said they come in during the night, grab their mail (overflowing their mailbox) and then leave. Moved to the coast with no forwarding address, obviously.

5. House is a mess, inside and out (trash left out back).

I guess I'm just surprised that no one can be or will be forthcoming on any information about the process. Especially in this day and age. You'd think "buyer" would get someone's attention. We didn't want to have to wait until the sign was posted in the yard. Would a real-estate agent have an inside track to the process?

It is possible that they are in pre-foreclosure and if so, offer to pat off the mortgage in exchange for the deed.

Dutchie · #26 06/18/09, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc

Narshalla: title search -- great idea. I've tried talking to the mortgage company, but they won't budge with info. At this point, we're just trying to find out how much the mortgage is on the property, how much it is worth, that sort of thing. Things that you would think are public info (like tax value), but are not.

Many county tax records do list that information. If you know a realtor, see if he/she can go onto their local MLS Tax system and pull the tax record. Even if the county tax record doesn't have that information, many MLS tax systems do.

Suemo · #27 06/18/09, 09:24 PM

I called about HUD foreclosures and asked how one went about buying a FC property. She said that HUD puts them on their site for 10 days with only people who would like to buy for homeliving able to bid. Then after that it is open to investors.
This is Missouri and laws are different per state. Realtors here have to have a special bonding or something to list FC property. They are not notified without this bond of available places. It is different if it is through the bank, loan officers will give out the info. Back taxes are sold on the courthouse steps once a year or maybe more often if speedy payup is required.

Danaus29 · #28 06/18/09, 09:35 PM

google; state foreclosure process county real estate
That will give you the info you need. The process varies by state and county.

Joshie · #29 06/18/09, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

I tend to agree but of course the post office is not allowed to disclose such information---unless you work the system which means you simply can't go in and ask for the forwarding address.

You should be able to get this info from the post office.

Doc · #30 06/19/09, 06:25 PM

Dutchie, what does "pat off the mortgage" mean?

Folks, they did NOT leave a forwarding address. They come up here under cover of darkness and get their mail. I've already written about the tax office and clerk of court. Possibly real estate agent, if I can find one who knows how to work the system. Thanks.

Narshalla · #31 07/01/09, 01:52 AM

So, making any progress?

Doc · #32 07/01/09, 08:21 AM

None so far. We've pretty much exhausted options available. I'm just surprised that there is so much resistance. Thanks for asking.

jane2256 · #33 07/01/09, 10:23 AM

You stated that their taxes are in arrears; why not pay the back taxes and get "a shoe in the door" that way? Plus, if you don't get the property you make a little money on your investment.

Narshalla · #34 07/01/09, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jane2256

You stated that their taxes are in arrears; why not pay the back taxes and get "a shoe in the door" that way? Plus, if you don't get the property you make a little money on your investment.

Unless it is at a public, gov't auction, paying them won't really do anything. The person who buys the property won't owe him anything, after all, most courts will view the money as a gift, with no contractual -- not even verbal -- agreement.

If the property was abandoned, with no mortgage holder or residents, then it might work. As it is, the mortgage is active (going into foreclosure), so the bank has an active interest in the situation, and a first claim on the property. There are probably other parties who also have a legal claim on it -- probably a second mortgage, maybe a tradesman's lien.

If the owners were willing to deal with the situation, then there might be a way to buy the property. Since they won't behave like adults, I might want this property, but I would not sink any great amount of $$$$ into it without knowing how much is owed on it.

Title search still sounds like the way to go.

YoYoDog · #35 07/01/09, 03:02 PM

How about writing a short letter explaining your offer and who you are. Include a point of contact that would not seem risky to them. (Eliminate the possibility that they could think you are a collector.)

Stick it in the mailbox with a self addressed stamped envelope, a blank piece of paper to write on, and even a small pencil. Put it all in an sealed envelope with stamps on it so you don't get in trouble with the PO.

Make it as easy as you can for them with as little perceived risk on their part and you may get the desired response.

Dan

kritter8888 · #36 07/01/09, 04:39 PM

Has anyone mentioned an ad in the newspaper? Maybe someone will read it who knows something about it.

Shygal · #37 07/01/09, 05:19 PM

So if you know they get their mail there......write to them there?

fordy · #38 07/01/09, 06:38 PM

.............I'd engage the services of a local attorney who participates in closings and will therefore be on a first name basis with the various entities that handle the property you want to acquire . He will have standing to obtain information UNobtainable too you , currently . You might want to retain him for negotiations to purchase the property before it actually reaches the market . , fordy

WendyW. · #39 07/01/09, 07:54 PM

I'd leave a letter in their mailbox.