How to make an offer on a home with tax lien

[Carmella Lombardi]

I found a house I am interested in buying, and here are some facts:

• It is in a up and coming neighborhood but it has boarded up windows and collapsing fences, etc.
• According to the county tax assessor, the owners are five years behind on their property taxes.
• They have owned the property since 1977, purchased for about 12% of what I estimate the ARV would be today.
• According to Google, the owners seem to be in their late 70's and their son is a local real estate attorney.

How do you recommend I approach the owners? Should I offer to pay their back taxes in exchange for title? Should I offer more? Should I reach out to their son? Should I hire an attorney to help me formulate an approach?

[Jim Adams]

I reach out to people with tax liens all the time, but I specifically target vacant land vs. vacant houses. I would try to reach out to the owners directly. Do not pay off their taxes. Put together a Purchase Agreement. I would offer them more than just the back taxes so they could walk away with something, but it all depends on what your numbers are. If you get a signed Purchase Agreement, take that to a title agency you trust to get the deal closed and properly handle the tax liens.