]I own a lotin Frederick County, Virginia and would like to build a home on it. However the adjacent lot has a run down vacantdwelling on it where the roof is touching the ground and groundhogs are makingtheir home in it and dying, which creates an odor. The taxes have not been paidin over 25 years and the owners are deceased. According to death records and tomy knowledge they had one child, who is also deceased. I have not been able tofind any other living heirs. I spoke with the County about enforcing their tax lienlaws but they will not. I ask about them demolishing the dwelling and was toldthat it was too costly due to tests that must be run if they would tear itdown. I was told that I would have to find the heirs myself because it was toocostly for them. The county did place a no trespassing sign on the dwelling,but even with that, children may and animals will, enter the dwelling. It isnot that big about 10x15 (cabin size). If the county did decide to auction theproperty, I may not be able to obtain title insurance. I was told by a localattorney that I could not force the county to enforce their tax lien law inorder to purchase. I have offered to pay for the demolition but since I’m notthe owner. If I were to build on my lot and later try to sale my property, thisabandoned and run down property, that is a distraction, could prevent the saleof my property. What else can I do to obtain the abandoned property or have itdemolished?

A simple inquiry and offer is the usual way to go with buying property. Ask a local realtor for details, process, and procedure... and COSTS. At least you will have an idea of what you are dealing with.

You can hire attorney and sue the city to perform it's duties. Normally this will be very costly and always requires an attorney. (And it will bring down the wrath of the city code people upon your property almost always also)

Next you find someone, anyone that is even slightly related to the family and see if you can get them to make claim to the property and agree to sell it to you, if you take on all the costs and liability. Remember there is most likely 1000's of dollars of assessments against such a property , plus full back taxes plus late fees and so on.

But it is not easy and often not even possible. That is why there are 1000's of such properties all over almost every city.