Handling Deceased Tax Sale Property No Heir/Will

[Benjamin Orr]

I recently bought my second property since being on BP. Maybe I should have stuck to simpler routes, but I wanted to do PA Tax Deed sale. I did my homework, worked the numbers, and won the bid. After buying a nice smaller SFH and talking to a neighbor, I found out that the property I bought belonged to a deceased woman (died April 2014 the tax year of sale) with what appears to be no heirs.

There is no mortgage or other liens on the property.  Someone appears to be mowing the lawn sporadically and someone has at least collected the mail at some point (though not recently).  I get my title in 4 months after the waiting period is passed.  My research recommends getting a Quiet Action title, but here are some concerns the experts or Pennsylvania natives could shed some light into:

1. What should/can I do with her personal property? Do tenant laws apply since she isn't a tenant of mine?
2. What can I do to the property? Can I change locks or winterize?
3. Should I be concerned about any inheritance tax?
4. Why was there no estate set up to handle the process of property and taxes?
5. Are there any other areas I should be concerned about?