Skip to content
Get started
Resources & Media
Resource Hub Bookstore Blog Guides Pro-Exclusives PRO Podcasts Pro Partnerships Newsletters NEW
Events & training
BPCON2025 Webinars Bootcamps Upcoming Events Free Courses
Strategies
How to Manage Your Rental Property How to Operate a Short-Term Rental How to Passively Invest in Real Estate How to House Hack How Does the BRRRR Method Work How to Flip a House How to Invest in Commercial Real Estate How to Invest in Real Estate How to Invest in Multifamily Real Estate How to Build Wealth
BPCON2025
This is your chance to learn from the best, network with the best, and become one of the best in the game.
Build Wealth Without Tenants
Become a stronger passive investor with proven frameworks, actionable insights, and lots of networking.
Pick markets
Pick markets
Market Finder - NEW PRO Picking a Market Workshop PRO Picking a Market Worksheet Top 100 Cash Flow Markets Market Insights - Sunbelt Region
Market finder
Pinpoint the best real estate market for your specific goals with expert recommendations and real-time data on appreciation, affordability, rent to price ratio, and more.
Find deals
Find deals
BiggerDeals NEW Off-Market Deal finding PRO Real Estate Syndications Investor-Friendly Agents Find Foreclosures Community Listings (FSBO) Business Directory
BiggerDeals
Quickly find your perfect investment property based on your cash flow and ROI goals.
Invelo - Off market deals
Scale your portfolio with off-market deals
Analyze deals
Calculators
Rental Property Calculator PRO Rehab Estimator PRO Rent Estimator PRO BRRRR PRO Fix & Flip PRO Short-Term Rental PRO Sell vs. Keep PRO Landlord Insurance Calculator by Steadily All Calculators
Rental property calculator
Is it a good deal? Run your numbers like a pro with this simple yet powerful calculator.
Rent estimator
Understand how much rental income you can expect based on recent reports and data for your specific property.
Manage properties
Manage properties
Managing Properties 101 Find a Property Manager RentRedi Property Management Software PRO Property Management Tools Ask a Management Question Finding Tenants PRO Screening Tenants Leases + Landlord Forms PRO Accounting/Bookkeeping PRO Property Insurance Property Maintenance / Rehab Baselane Banking and AI Bookkeeping
Property management software
Manage tenants, tasks, and your entire portfolio with one simple tool.
Property manager finder
Find reliable property management partnerships that last.
Forums
For You
Newest Trending Unanswered My Discussions Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed Locations Followed People
General Real Estate
General Real Estate Investing Starting Out Deal Analysis Buying & Selling Business & Marketing Landlording Property Management Reviews & Feedback
Real Estate Strategies
House Hacking BRRRR Short-Term Rentals Mid-Term Rentals Multi-Family Fix & Flip Other Strategies
Finance & Financing
Lending Creative Finance Personal Finance Taxes & Legal Issues
News & Announcements
Official Site Announcements Market Trends & Data Real Estate News & Current Events Pro Exclusive Area PRO
Events & Networking
Events & Meetups Classifieds
Store
All Books
Best Sellers Browse All New Books & Pre-Orders PRO Bundle & Save Books for Beginners
Flip your way to financial freedom
Scale your investment framework with this valuable guide to compounding real estate success.
Outsmart the short-term rental competition
Cash in on the exploding STR market with this must-have guide from expert Avery Carl.
Pricing
Plans and Pricing
Pro Membership Business Membership
TRY PRO FOR 7 DAYS COMPLETELY FREE
Avoid mistakes and make informed decisions with Pro.
GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Promote your business on BiggerPockets and make quality connections with the right investors
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 54%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$69 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
×
Take Your Forum Experience
to the Next Level
Create a free account and join over 3 million investors sharing
their journeys and helping each other succeed.
btn_google_dark_normal_ios Created with Sketch.
Continue with Google
Continue with Apple
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
Already a member?  Login here
Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
General Real Estate Investing
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
Market Trends & Data
Buying & Selling Real Estate
Out of State Investing
Real Estate News & Current Events
Real Estate Technology
Investor Mindset
General Info
General Real Estate Investing
BiggerPockets Exclusive PRO Area
PRO
BPCON
New Member Introductions
Questions About BiggerPockets & Official Site Announcements
Off Topic
Starting Out
Real Estate Success Stories
Real Estate Horror Stories
Real Estate Strategies
House Hacking
Commercial Real Estate Investing
BRRRR - Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat
Mobile Home Park Investing
Innovative Strategies
Multi-Family and Apartment Investing
Land & New Construction
Wholesaling
Rehabbing & House Flipping
Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions presented by
Tax Liens & Mortgage Notes
Medium-Term Rentals
Buying & Selling Small Businesses
Outdoor Hospitality
Landlording & Rental Properties
General Landlording & Rental Properties
Managing Your Property
Marketing Your Property
Tenant Screening
First-Time Home Buyer
Real Estate Professionals
Mortgage Brokers & Lenders
Contractors
Real Estate Agent
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Personal Finance
Creative Real Estate Financing presented by
Private Lending & Conventional Mortgage Advice
Insurance
Tax, SDIRAs & Cost Segregation presented by
Foreclosures
1031 Exchanges presented by
Goals, Business Plans & Entities
Legal & Legislation
Real Estate Classifieds
Classifieds
Real Estate Events & Meetups
Reviews & Feedback
Ask About A Real Estate Company
Real Estate Deal Analysis & Advice
Guru, Book, & Course Reviews
Syndications & Passive Real Estate Investing

Updated about 9 years ago on . Most recent reply

Sarah K.'s profile image
Sarah K.'s profile image
Sarah K.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • from Rockville, Maryland
  • Member since Feb 9, 2016
Connect

User Stats

9
Posts
0
Votes
Sarah K.'s profile image
Sarah K.'s profile image
Sarah K.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • from Rockville, Maryland
  • Member since Feb 9, 2016
Connect
Sarah K.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Rockville, MD
0
Votes |
9
Posts
General Real Estate Investing

Finding Vacant Homeowners & Other Unwanted Properties

Sarah K.
  • Real Estate Investor
  • Rockville, MD
Posted

I live in the DC Metro area and have seen a lot of vacant properties around. Finding the owners is an endless task. Does anyone have any advice or an efficient way to find/purchase vacant homes, fire damaged homes or other unwanted properties with too much work/damage?

  • Sarah K.
    • 0 Votes
    Follow
    4 Replies
    Jump to Last Reply
    Log In or Sign Up to Reply

    Most Popular Reply

    Russell Brazil's profile image
    Russell Brazil's profile image
    Russell Brazil
    • #3 All Forums Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • from Washington, D.C.
    • Member since Oct 20, 2012
    Connect

    User Stats

    17,486
    Posts
    30,179
    Votes
    Russell Brazil's profile image
    Russell Brazil's profile image
    Russell Brazil
    • #3 All Forums Contributor
    • Real Estate Agent
    • from Washington, D.C.
    • Member since Oct 20, 2012
    Connect
    Russell Brazil
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Washington, D.C.
    30,179
    Votes |
    17,486
    Posts
    Russell Brazil
    • Real Estate Agent
    • Washington, D.C.
    ModeratorReplied

    You can check the tax records...but as far as purchasing then...that could be another story. If it is bank owned, you have no chance as those have to be listed publicly for sale. Rarely though in DC does a foreclosure even happen.

    business profile image
    District Invest Group
    5.0 stars
    44 Reviews

    Contact Us

    1 Vote
    Log In or Sign Up to Reply
    Sort By:

    Loading replies...