Reaching an owner of a vacant house

[Aya Caliva]

Hi,

We have a vacant house right next to our house and am wondering what would be the best way to reach to the owner. Does anyone have the experience?

The house has been vacant for a long time even before we moved in about 4 years ago, and it looks like a mess from outside with no maintenance. I heard from one of the neighbors that the owner left to live in a different state for some reason but nobody know his number. 

I'd like to talk to the owner; to check inside if he is interested in selling or to encourage him to maintain the outside works if he is not interested. This could be a great investment if we rental and manage our current house and live in the next house and flip at a same time. 

Thanks,
Aya

[Brad Shepherd]

Right next door? Four years? Yeah, chase this guy down until you find him!! 

First, put a note on the door so he'll see it if he ever comes to check on the property and you don't see him there. 

Your county records have the name of who owns it. Find the name online or down at the county building if you have to. Then you contact him one way or another. Put a letter in the mail with a message talking like you're a real human..."Hey, just curious if you'd be willing to sell that house. We want to buy it." 

Even better, call him or direct message him. Search online for that address and/or name and you'll find phone numbers. Social media, whitepages.com, spokeo, homemetry.com, truepeoplesearch.com. Whatever you need to track them down and have a conversation.

Something to consider, based on how you feel about this approach. Call the city code office if you see an offense...tall grass, trash in the yard, etc. Getting a code violation notice from the city may increase the motivation to sell.