Investing in Ground Rent in Maryland

[Tom Edwards]

As an alternative investment I am interested in obtaining some ground rents in Maryland, and am looking for some more information about them.

How do you find ground rents for sale?

In searching for ground rents for sale, I have only found a few listing for older auctions that included some ground rent bundles.   Where does one go to find folks selling ground rents (or I guess as their called "ground lease")?

Is there a way to search for properties that are subject to ground rent?

The only way I have been able to find them is by using the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation's Real Property Search:  http://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/de....  However you can search for addresses, but need to click on each search result, then click on the link for the "View Ground Rent Registration" (which is on the page even if there is no ground rent) to view any ground rent and/or redemption information.

How are ground rents officially purchased, transferred, and registered?

What is the official way to purchase a ground rent and let the state(or county/city), lender, and owner know that you officially own the new ground rent, so they know to make payments to you?

I have read some conflicting information about if you can foreclose on the property if the ground rend is not paid.  I imagine this conflicting information is due to laws changing over the years.  Currently it seems you can get a lien placed on the property and foreclose, but cannot get any equity that the homeowner has in the place.  Just to fully understand things, in the unlikely event that one would foreclose due to ground rent; after a foreclosure auction, you would only get the amount for the lien that was placed on the property (for the undue ground rent), then anyone else like a mortgage company would get their portions, then any left over equity would be given to the property holder?

Thanks for the help!