View Full Version : How do I purchase a home by paying the back taxes when the owners are deceased
srednas2430
Nov 13, 2008, 09:09 AM
I want to purchase a home that has been abandon for years. The people that own the property are deceased and there is no other relative listed. How do I go about getting this property without forcing it up for shriff sale. p.s I will like to purchase the property by paing the back taxes off,if I could.
tickle
Nov 13, 2008, 09:19 AM
Paying to own an abandoned house for back taxes is not as easy as it may sound. If you do get as far as finding out the rightful owners, you will probably find out it has lleins on it that need paying off as well. Of course, you will have to hire a lawyer to search the title for you before you commit to anything.
Phone or visit the county office where on pays taxes. Could be they can help you.
ScottGem
Nov 13, 2008, 09:34 AM
At some point, the county will take over the property and sell it at a tax sale. Generally such sales are auctions.
Your best bet is to try and find the legal owner of the property and make them an offer before it goes to a tax sale.
deedgrabber
Nov 13, 2008, 01:06 PM
I agree with the other posters. But since both parties are dead it's possible you won't be able to track down all of the heirs.
In that case, your county might sell a lien on the property starting at the amount of taxes owed depending on your state. If you could buy this lien for a reasonable amount you could be pretty sure the property wouldn't be redeemed and you'd get clear title after a period.
Not immediate gratification though, and you'll need an attorney.
Fr_Chuck
Nov 13, 2008, 03:58 PM
You can not just "pay the back taxes" you have to wait till the county sells it for taxes at a tax auction, and it will sell from there.
Do you even know if there are back taxes owed ? If so how many years ?
What you do is go to the tax office and see who the tax bills are being mailed to, and if they are current.
You check the recorder of deeds and see whose name the deed is in.
After that, there is nothing you can do except find the owner until the property is ready for sale by the tax department