Contaminated Properties

[Jonathan Scott]

Hello All,

I am currently searching for contaminated properties, also known as brownfield properties (i.e. former gas-stations, landfills, dry cleaners, industrial), for my father's cleanup business. Ideally we are looking to purchase these properties, but we are certainly interested in joint-venturing or providing cleanup work for the owners as well if they would not be interested in selling the property.

In an effort to help search for these properties, I was hoping to connect with a local real estate broker, who could help keep an eye out for these types of properties, compensated for by a finder's fee % of the profit if a cleanup deal goes through. 

My question --- Is that enough incentive for a broker or an agent to keep an ear out for these properties, or would they consider this a waste of time -- and prefer something more incentivizing? I am certainly not expecting them to spend hard hours in search, but it seemed reasonable that they would atleast be more alert when hearing of these properties and informing me.

Thank you in advance,

Best wishes to a New Year, and to BiggerPockets!

[Rob Denis]

Darrett:

Not sure that a "brownfield" site is the right term for what you are looking for (at least in Florida). In Florida, local governments designate areas as "brownfields" to qualify for incentives as provided in State statute and some aren't even truly contaminated. You can link to the FDEP's (Florida Department of Environmental Protection) main page on brownfields at:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/brownf...

Information on other types of sites requiring environmental remediation can be found at:

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/default.htm

Let me know if these help because there are tons of resources out there if they don't.

Rob