Trying to buy Land in GA but have title issues - anyone have experience?

[Alan Asriants]

Hey BP community, 

I have been under contract for a while on a piece of property out in GA. It is a 40acre tract of land that was owned in an estate. 

To make a long story short, there are a lot of potential heirs of the property as the owner of the estate had many children and subsequently many grand and great grand children. 

However, only one person has been paying the taxes on the property - the gentlemen I went under contract with. He has been paying the taxes for many many years.

With the question of the exact amount of Heirs on the property, the attorney cannot provide a clear title as there may be people who have ownership rights. 

Some land was sold off years ago without this issue, but I understand why the attorney can't guarantee clean title.

Has anyone dealt with something like this? Would really appreciate the help! TY

[Jay Hinrichs]

Quote from @Sherry McQuage:

Hello,

I had a similar situation in NC...My husband and I (investors) tried to buy a piece of land from the gentleman who had been paying the taxes for years.  All 3 of the "owners of record" on the tax records were deceased.

The seller was the son of one of the deceased.  His attorney said in order to provide a clear title, the seller would have to hire a law firm that was willing/able to do extensive research into heirs, and get them to sign off/away any rights they might have.  

No local attorneys wanted to do such a time consuming, possibly long search, so we were not able to purchase the land.  Seller is just continuing to pay the taxes, even though he "doesn't own" the land...until/unless he hires an attorney to do the title search, he won't ever be able to sell it or develop the land.  Bummer.

he can sell it no problem just cant get title insurance.. so unless your buying it to flip who cares just buy it and enjoy it.. and during that process just sue for quiet title.. take some money and time but that would clear up the title.

there is a very prominent BP member that buys tax sale and other title issue props in SC he gets them so cheap because you cant get title insurance at least at the time he buys them and then just rents them out.. its a winner.. no one will ever come back on him or you .. I say never thats not accurate but 99% chance no one will.. so just sayin.. depends on  what your plans for the property are.. of course if your flipping it and a buyer needs title insurance you are stuck