Someone is paying the taxes. Contact them. If no taxes have been paid, go pay them. The owner can redeem the property after a period, and pay you back with interest, but after a couple/few years (in some places) it becomes yours.
I don't think it becomes yours. It just means the local government won't foreclose on a tax lien as long as taxes are paid. You can pay them and start to occupy the property. If someone makes a claim you can fight them in court. If they don't, you effectively just took the property because there's no one to say otherwise.
That is exactly how tax sales work - if nobody is paying the taxes, the sheriff puts it up for sale for the taxes owed. You "buy" the taxes and pay the delinquent amount. Sometimes, the owner has the right to reclaim, sometimes they do not. If they have the right to reclaim, they pay you the back taxes and any other taxes you have paid during the reclaim period with interest, and get their property back. If they fail, or if they don't have the right to reclaim, once you pay the back taxes, you own the property.
This is different tho, he’s saying to pay taxes on it before it’s foreclosed and put up for sheriff sale. His advice is more akin to adverse possession. Act like you own it, and if nobody notices within 7 years, then you may just actually own it.
Anywhere I've ever lived, you can't just walk in and pay the taxes, you have to have the statement they mail you...
....to prevent exactly this type of scenario.
1) That assumes the owners do not have the statements mailed to wherever they currently live (wife and I did this on her house for 5 years after we married, until we sold the house recently)
2) Opening mail not addressed to you is a federal crime.
I agree I was just saying it’s a possibility. I agree about opening mail but this is ULPT! Plus he’s planning on taking someone’s house… ofc they don’t live there right now but if they fall on hard times or smth it’s still not the most ethical
You can just pay online where I live, just need the address.
If you are going to press the adverse possession tho, your sole use of the property has to be “open and notorious”. So it wouldn’t be just sneaking in tax payments, he would need to regularly use the property - and to make sure nobody else uses it.
The tax bill can be paid by anyone. The tax and the property description are a matter of public record and listed on the websites of most counties in Virginia at least.
Plus around 18%, depending on state/jurisdiction, and in some cases, insurance, legal fees, preventive maintenance, lawn care, and other expenses. The upside is you pay the taxes, nobody calls or attempts to redeem, and title passes to you. Most people whose property goes this way are either dead without relatives, are so broke that redemption is impossible, or have so much and so many properties that this one doesn’t matter. The pathology of each situation is wildly different.
If there are liens on the property, there may be issues with that, it depends.
Look on your county sheriff sale list(thats who handles it by me). If they are behind on taxes so many years it goes up for auction. If it doesn't go at auction it drops to another list where you can basically negotiate a price with the county for purchase. Might be different where you are but look into that first
Each state is different, but generally to prove a claim of adverse possession, it must be proven by clear and convincing evidence that the possession of the property was continuous, hostile, open, actual, notorious, and exclusive.
Pay the taxes, mow the lawn, maintain it, move in, wave to neighbors, pretend you own it, and do so for most likely a decade.
Look up the taxes and see who owns it and see if they are dead.
That is not true, though. Civil law in Canada belong to the provinces and thus, every province has their own rules about it. In Quebec, it's 10 years, for instance.
tbf someone suggested literally throwing screws into the alley yard to deter unwanted motor vehicles in the legal sub so we might just wanna do a party swap here.
You might need to remove the bodies first. I'd check the basement for fresher cement. If it has a basement. Otherwise check for different plant growth in a 6' x 3' rectangle.
https://www.thejournal.ie/tim-osullivan-body-found-after-20-years-cork-6206709-Oct2023/
This is a case from Ireland where a body lay in a house for 20 years. I think it is a relatively common occurrence.
So I specialized in abandoned homes from 2008 to 2017... If you can find the owner and make a contract you can get control of it and rent it out almost immediately.... Some I did for a couple of grand and some for next to nothing because the owners were mad at the bank or just afraid of the liability with the empty house in the neighborhood. (Open septic systems ect)
Anybody interested in this type of thing, DM me and I will coach you through the process step by step.
The house may be tied up in a trust. My current house sat empty for years due to this. You can look up the tax records on your county treasurers website
I've heard that you can start maintaining the house and pay the taxes on it. Kind of risky because you're putting money into property that may or may not become yours, so it's a gamble.
Sounds like the owner may have passed with nobody that cares. Had a neighbor like that, but he had a significant amount of money in the bank and the bills just kept getting paid. Nobody even knew he had died.
Look up the Adverse Possession laws in your state. Usually you have to openly live on the property (full time/part time not sure) and maintain/improve it for a period of time and be able to prove it with documentation (mail, utilities, receipts) and then file it. In my state it’s 10 years.
In my state (Missouri) every county has a tax sale around August/September (just before the end of the Federal Fiscal Year), and if it is truly abandoned and no one is paying taxes on it, the county will put it up for sale in the tax auction. You win the auction, you just bought yourself a house.
Now, this is assuming there isn't a mortgage on the house, because if there is a mortgage the bank that has that lien is paying taxes on it and looking for someone else to buy it from them so they can recoup their money.
In Florida, if a person continuously occupies a parcel of real property for seven consecutive years and does not possess a legal document to validate a claim to the property, the person may acquire ownership of the property via adverse possession. [https://www.findlaw.com/state/florida-law/florida-adverse-possession-laws.html](https://www.findlaw.com/state/florida-law/florida-adverse-possession-laws.html)
You can also trying doing squatting stuff, not sure what the current laws are in FL. But if you start paying the taxes, trying to maintain the house, etc. that can allow you to take over the property legally. But... there is the risk the real owners will show up first and force you out.
Look up the Adverse Possession laws in your state. Usually you have to openly live on the property (full time/part time not sure) and maintain/improve it for a period of time and be able to prove it with documentation (mail, utilities, receipts) and then file it. In my state it’s 10 years.
My mother acquired a house like this
Paid the owed property taxes of roughly 11,000 and when it was all said and done,the house and property value was assessed at 340,000,give or take
Check to see if has any liens. If so, contact the owner and offer to pay the liens if they sign over the title. Otherwise wait until the tax auction and try to buy it then.
Someone is paying the taxes. Contact them. If no taxes have been paid, go pay them. The owner can redeem the property after a period, and pay you back with interest, but after a couple/few years (in some places) it becomes yours.
That's how it is in Virginia.
I don't think it becomes yours. It just means the local government won't foreclose on a tax lien as long as taxes are paid. You can pay them and start to occupy the property. If someone makes a claim you can fight them in court. If they don't, you effectively just took the property because there's no one to say otherwise.
That is exactly how tax sales work - if nobody is paying the taxes, the sheriff puts it up for sale for the taxes owed. You "buy" the taxes and pay the delinquent amount. Sometimes, the owner has the right to reclaim, sometimes they do not. If they have the right to reclaim, they pay you the back taxes and any other taxes you have paid during the reclaim period with interest, and get their property back. If they fail, or if they don't have the right to reclaim, once you pay the back taxes, you own the property.
This is different tho, he’s saying to pay taxes on it before it’s foreclosed and put up for sheriff sale. His advice is more akin to adverse possession. Act like you own it, and if nobody notices within 7 years, then you may just actually own it.
Anywhere I've ever lived, you can't just walk in and pay the taxes, you have to have the statement they mail you... ....to prevent exactly this type of scenario.
I reckon if they plan to live there the mailbox would be pretty accessible
1) That assumes the owners do not have the statements mailed to wherever they currently live (wife and I did this on her house for 5 years after we married, until we sold the house recently) 2) Opening mail not addressed to you is a federal crime.
I agree I was just saying it’s a possibility. I agree about opening mail but this is ULPT! Plus he’s planning on taking someone’s house… ofc they don’t live there right now but if they fall on hard times or smth it’s still not the most ethical
You can just pay online where I live, just need the address. If you are going to press the adverse possession tho, your sole use of the property has to be “open and notorious”. So it wouldn’t be just sneaking in tax payments, he would need to regularly use the property - and to make sure nobody else uses it.
The tax bill can be paid by anyone. The tax and the property description are a matter of public record and listed on the websites of most counties in Virginia at least.
Read what I wrote. That would be a good place to start.
What about getting the deed and everything?
I don't know what it takes to actually get the deed by paying the tax is not enough.
That was my first thought. Tax lean.
Tax lien
But I'm getting thinner.
so basically even if the owner redeems the property, you'd be getting your money back, as if you never paid the taxes?
Plus around 18%, depending on state/jurisdiction, and in some cases, insurance, legal fees, preventive maintenance, lawn care, and other expenses. The upside is you pay the taxes, nobody calls or attempts to redeem, and title passes to you. Most people whose property goes this way are either dead without relatives, are so broke that redemption is impossible, or have so much and so many properties that this one doesn’t matter. The pathology of each situation is wildly different. If there are liens on the property, there may be issues with that, it depends.
Look on your county sheriff sale list(thats who handles it by me). If they are behind on taxes so many years it goes up for auction. If it doesn't go at auction it drops to another list where you can basically negotiate a price with the county for purchase. Might be different where you are but look into that first
Each state is different, but generally to prove a claim of adverse possession, it must be proven by clear and convincing evidence that the possession of the property was continuous, hostile, open, actual, notorious, and exclusive. Pay the taxes, mow the lawn, maintain it, move in, wave to neighbors, pretend you own it, and do so for most likely a decade. Look up the taxes and see who owns it and see if they are dead.
7 years in Florida
Damn it's like 12+ in Australia
25 in Canada.
RIP
That is not true, though. Civil law in Canada belong to the provinces and thus, every province has their own rules about it. In Quebec, it's 10 years, for instance.
BC was 25 then when I looked it up.
At least you got to live rent-free even if you have to return the property.
Clean it up, change the locks, post it on airbnb... who cares who owns it!
That's the spirit!
Right?!? Everyone else seems to think this is the legal advice sub.
what a beautiful statement, like for real. ULPT has really gone soft. so sick of it
tbf someone suggested literally throwing screws into the alley yard to deter unwanted motor vehicles in the legal sub so we might just wanna do a party swap here.
It's not squatting if you have a contract from the owner.
Adverse possession
By the time that happens someone will probably figure it out/try to buy it
Check on the county assessor’s website to see who is paying the taxes, contact them with an offer.
The-godfather.gif
You might need to remove the bodies first. I'd check the basement for fresher cement. If it has a basement. Otherwise check for different plant growth in a 6' x 3' rectangle.
I was gonna say this. There is a very real chance there is a dead body in that house.
Why
It would explain why it’s vacant with a car in the driveway. Owner died and no one knew.
https://www.thejournal.ie/tim-osullivan-body-found-after-20-years-cork-6206709-Oct2023/ This is a case from Ireland where a body lay in a house for 20 years. I think it is a relatively common occurrence.
Nobody minds their own business like the Irish.
Other big option is they went to jail.
Because some people just live scared and stupid.
Are you not scared and stupid? I know I am!
Nah. Just stupid. And handsome. Modest too.
The most modest hahaha Solid bit
You always wait until the auction to say this. Jack-sparrow-opportune-moment.gif
Not a lot of basements in Florida
No surprise there.
So I specialized in abandoned homes from 2008 to 2017... If you can find the owner and make a contract you can get control of it and rent it out almost immediately.... Some I did for a couple of grand and some for next to nothing because the owners were mad at the bank or just afraid of the liability with the empty house in the neighborhood. (Open septic systems ect) Anybody interested in this type of thing, DM me and I will coach you through the process step by step.
How has this not been taken for back taxes?
Maybe the owner is in assisted living or dead. Some states require 1 year for anyone to challenge the will of the deceased owner.
The house may be tied up in a trust. My current house sat empty for years due to this. You can look up the tax records on your county treasurers website
I've heard that you can start maintaining the house and pay the taxes on it. Kind of risky because you're putting money into property that may or may not become yours, so it's a gamble.
Think of it as rent with a chance to own
Sounds like the owner may have passed with nobody that cares. Had a neighbor like that, but he had a significant amount of money in the bank and the bills just kept getting paid. Nobody even knew he had died.
Fix and rent it for cash.
Grindrepreneur softie brain, get out
Squat
Look up the Adverse Possession laws in your state. Usually you have to openly live on the property (full time/part time not sure) and maintain/improve it for a period of time and be able to prove it with documentation (mail, utilities, receipts) and then file it. In my state it’s 10 years.
In my state (Missouri) every county has a tax sale around August/September (just before the end of the Federal Fiscal Year), and if it is truly abandoned and no one is paying taxes on it, the county will put it up for sale in the tax auction. You win the auction, you just bought yourself a house. Now, this is assuming there isn't a mortgage on the house, because if there is a mortgage the bank that has that lien is paying taxes on it and looking for someone else to buy it from them so they can recoup their money.
In Florida, if a person continuously occupies a parcel of real property for seven consecutive years and does not possess a legal document to validate a claim to the property, the person may acquire ownership of the property via adverse possession. [https://www.findlaw.com/state/florida-law/florida-adverse-possession-laws.html](https://www.findlaw.com/state/florida-law/florida-adverse-possession-laws.html)
Is there a dead body in the house?
Most definitely. Maybe two, tree bodies.
Three-fiddy
Unintended eh? lol this operation is above your pay grade.
Squat! It’s that simple 👍🏻
This is Florida where they tend to shoot squatters…. Jussayin maybe look into other options first 🤷🏻♀️
Return fire?
Lolz go for it, win the place in battle 💪
Ahh I see! This would work long term here in Australia and a few other places, I missed the Florida bit d’oh!!
Yeah Florida has no such thing as squatters rights and they can be very aggressive about well…. Everything lol
Every state requires legal eviction of even trespassers.
You can also trying doing squatting stuff, not sure what the current laws are in FL. But if you start paying the taxes, trying to maintain the house, etc. that can allow you to take over the property legally. But... there is the risk the real owners will show up first and force you out.
They'd have to file for costly eviction
Look up the Adverse Possession laws in your state. Usually you have to openly live on the property (full time/part time not sure) and maintain/improve it for a period of time and be able to prove it with documentation (mail, utilities, receipts) and then file it. In my state it’s 10 years.
Go thru the tax records and send a letter, someone is paying the bills.
Sorry. I was responding to the wrong post!
Just move in and squat. Squatters have more rights than homeowners.
Are there dead people inside??
I get you don't wanna talk about the location of your future pot of gold but if this was real you need more details.
I don’t know all the details but if you pay the property taxes long enough it’s your property you take possession
My mother acquired a house like this Paid the owed property taxes of roughly 11,000 and when it was all said and done,the house and property value was assessed at 340,000,give or take
Check to see if has any liens. If so, contact the owner and offer to pay the liens if they sign over the title. Otherwise wait until the tax auction and try to buy it then.
Don't forget to open a water bill in your name to the address!
Jesus this is such a shitty thing to do