Investor · El Paso, TX · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 10 votes
There’s a house around an area I really, really like. The owner owes $33K in taxes but the account is on deferral & the exemption is that she’s over 65 so she only pays $300 towards the debt. I don’t think it’s ethical to contact her but the house also looked vacant with overgrown grass & no trash bins in sight. Is it legal/ethical to get in contact with her via cold calling? Or maybe direct mail less harsh?
@Account Closed What's not ethical about it? If it's vacant/abandoned and you can help her dispose of an unwanted property while also taking care of any tax obligations that might be passed on to her heirs, I'd say you're creating a win/win situation.
On a situation like this I would cold call, "Hi Ms. XXXX, I was driving around a property I believe you own on ANYWHERE street and noticed it might be vacant, is that something you would consider selling?"
Wouldn't say it's unethical either - but depends on how you spin it. If you're respectful about it and take no for an answer - totally fine. If you turn to harassment or predatory tactics - unethical.
Yes I know she’s in distress so I don’t want to scare her off. No, I would never harass someone especially of older age. I did not know taxes were inherited so I would like to help, it’s just that since she has an exemption I thought it would be of conflict contacting her. I just hope the house doesn’t have a reverse mortgage or something. But thank you!