How to get a Senior to leave his Calif. County tax sale house

Question

Im not sure if Im doing this properly but Im looking for compassionate ways to encourage the former owner of a house that was sold at a California tax sale, to leave. He is a Senior but still very bright and "in the know". He simply felt he shouldn't have to pay taxes. I was going to pass on this sale but I was convinced if I didnt buy it, some heartless investor would and quickly kick him to the street. I have never been in this position and want to be as gental and helpful as possible. Any thoughts? I know Seniors have certain rights, as they should (Im no kid) but I'd want to make this as easy as Im able to, regardless. Thanks...

Don Enrique · Answer

Check to see if there any tax overage money due. from the tax sale due the previous iwner

Zac Wolf · Answer

Its just a small cabin in the desert. Not worth much money. It takes up to 90 days to get the county to transfer the deed and put in my name. So, it looks like I won't be able to do much for awhile. I'm hopping to sit down with this person and work something out that we can both live with. However, I can't imagine he is going to be eager to move his huge amount of "stuff" or look for some other place to live after being there for many... many... years. I'll try to be as nice and understanding as possible, but I fear its going to end up as a contentious situation. Wish me luck!

Joel Owens · Answer

"Be nice - put him in a home, or contact kin.  Be efficient - Take off all the doors, windows, turn off the power, etc etc.  He'll leave either way, love or nature.  Nature will get you a better ROI :)"

I hope Eric is kidding with this above statement. It sounds like he is.

A former owner that is a holdover tenant is a tenant at sufferance. You need to typically evict to get them out.  Doing the type of things mentioned above is a "self-help" eviction upon the former owner and unless you want a judge to throw the book at you with fines and penalties that is not an approach to take.

No legal advice given.

Don Enrique · Answer

Did yoy say the property is going to auction? If so you have no idead ehst mony smount he"ll be entitled yet. Sny vestef owner has up to.12 mo. to file a claim. not wait 12 months for the funds. From my experience this type of indivial need to be deslt wiith legal action. I pluzzel with your figures of a property with improvement worth less then $10k based on the property is currently occuped.

Eric F. · Answer

Be nice - put him in a home, or contact kin.  Be efficient - Take off all the doors, windows, turn off the power, etc etc.  He'll leave either way, love or nature.  Nature will get you a better ROI :)

San Bernardino tax sale?  That was a bloodbath.  Seems like everything went for retail... here we come top of the market.

Rick H. · Answer

If he doesn't "believe" in paying taxes, does he "believe" in paying his water bill?

Odds are high that he'll rationalize why he shouldn't have to follow through on ANY promise he makes to you.

You can't deal sensibly with someone who is so irrational. You can relocate him however he'll likely find his way back like 'Ol Yeller the dog.

You're going to have to coax him out with cookies, women or whiskey.

Debbie Eto · Answer

Hi Zac, my past client works for Code Enforcement and deals with this situation often.  So you can call Code Enforcement in your city and they should be able to take care of it for you.

Zac Wolf · Answer

Hi everyone, thanks for your thoughts. I plan on useing this property as a vacation home. I own other properties in the area and have come to really enjoy the desert. So, this one is for me. Don, to answer your question... yes, we are talking about some extra money here from the sale. However, its only $10,000-$15,000. Plus, the county gives 1 full year for anyone owed money to file. It will take that long for him to get the extra proceeds.  I already planned on helping him do that. I want to try and help this guy any way Im able but I dont want to be a chump at the same time. Im told he was a very sharp guy back in the day, but consciously refusing to pay your county taxes just does not make sense. In fact, im told his neighbors have helped him out in the past and paid his taxes for him with his promise to keep paying. He let it laps again and they are fed up! Im really not out to hurt him in any way and almost passed on this house but I know anouther guy that would have picked it up and he is heartless. The old man would already be sleeping in the street if I let him win the auction. Maybe Im already the chump! Thanks again...

Don Enrique · Answer

Zac glade you agreed.

Jay Hinrichs · Answer

@Don Enrique  @Zac Wolf   That is an Excellent point Don.

I assume if this was CA and an improved home this thing got bid up possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars over the amount owed.. and those funds ( if there are no other lien holders) are eligble for this past owner to collect..

So Zac check that out.. could be a much solfter landing if you help him get his 200 to 500k in overages he has coming..

My family was in the development business for years and has all sorts of scattered lots 100 plus o them odds and ends in CA.. every year in the counties they worked in I check the tax overages.. ( we never pay tax's on those.) and sure enough some one not so bright has paid some big money for a sliver of land.. and My 82 YO mother gets a nice bonus check from the county.

How to get a Senior to leave his Calif. County tax sale house

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