Vacant property - Owner in BK, not sure of next steps

[Martha Blumel]

I came across a vacant property a couple months ago that I am very interested in. I was able to look up the owner and reach him even though he moved out of the area. I spoke with him and told him I was interested in purchasing the property. He told me that they filed bankruptcy and he would like to “get it off the books.” He was going to look into it and I never heard back from him. According to the clerk of courts the BK was in 2007.

The property had a Chase bank sticker on it saying it was being maintained by Chase. I called the number and then was transferred to 3 other numbers. I even sent an email to a department only to find out that it was an internal only email. I reached out to the REO department and they do not know anything about the property.

The interesting thing to me is that it is still in the owners name on the property appraiser. And when I went to the clerk of courts the last thing I saw was an assignment of mtg with Wells Fargo in 2013. Nothing with Chase. 

It was listed on the MLS and expired after one day. I have the listing number, but don't see any information about who listed it.

I also have recently seen a code violations sticker and plan on reaching out to that department. But I am not sure what information I can get from them.

It has been suggested that I call the REO department again and ask them about buying the non-preforming note, but I have hit road blocks with that as well. I saw a post that says I should have a Title Company do an O&E report which I plan on doing, but would like more suggestions as well.

I appreciate any suggestions you can give me.

Thanks,

Martha.