Occupied Home : Why can't I approach the family?

[Andrej Petrovski]

Hello :)

I suppose it will be evident that I'm a new investor by my naive question here, but ...

I'm looking at bidding on an auction property that is defined as "occupied" The mortgage was foreclosed on in May of this year.  In Michigan there is a  month redemption period before the people have to leave.  Is there a strategy to approach them to discuss their intentions on their next steps? ? ? I would obviously want to avoid dealing with eviction and the risk of them destroying the house upon exit.  

Any wisdom would be appreciated. 

Andrej Petrovski 

[Mike H.]

I've seen these sites and/or other notices that it is against the law to contact the seller. And here is my common sense approach.  As long as you don't own the note, nobody can tell you that you can't knock on the door and ask to speak to someone.

You're not the landlord and you're not the mortgage holder so what law could you possibly be breaking? I'm pretty sure you're entitled to go to anyone's house and knock on the door and ask to speak to them.  Now maybe some subdivisions have covenants against door to door people so that would be one scenario where you couldn't.

Or hubzu might yank your access to bid on properties if they get enough complaints. Ultimately though, I don't think there's a law out there that would prevent you from talking with the owner. 

Just don't peak in the windows or walk the yard.  Sidewalk to the front door is fair game in my mind. And I'm sure there is some gotcha that someone is going to throw out. But I'd be more than willing to take my chances in front of a judge.

"What do you mean I can't walk up the sidewalk and ring the doorbell???? If there's some way to get people to stop doing that to my house, I'd do it in a heartbeat. But we all know there isn't. " :-)