Skip to content
×
PRO
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
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Innovative Strategies
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 10 years ago, 07/14/2014

User Stats

35
Posts
19
Votes
Matt Swearingen
  • Georgetown, PA
19
Votes |
35
Posts

What to do with Grandma's property, ideas please.

Matt Swearingen
  • Georgetown, PA
Posted

My grandmother passed away recently.  She had a reverse mortgage with a current payoff balance of $150K.  The house is in near-perfect condition (Grandpa maintained it well until he passed).  I haven't gotten a BPO or appraisal yet, but looking at comps the house on 11 acres in this rural town is worth $210K-$240K.  Her heirs are her three sons.  None of them have any interest in taking on a mortgage to turn this into a rental or flip it, they are all greiving for their mom.  Since I've never done a flip I wouldn't be comfortable taking out a second mortgage (although I could front the $30K for the downpayment with creative financing).  I know a flipper that would love to get ahold of a "paint and carpet" flip with 60K-90K  equity in the deal, and she would be willing to pay a finders fee since she regularly deals with wholesalers. 

My question is: Can anyone come along and purchase the house for the amount owed to the reverse mortgage company? My thinking is that only the sons can purchase the home for $150K. If they don't buy it then everyone else will get a chance to purchase it when the reverse mortgage company lists it on the MLS at appraisal value. Is my thinking correct?

Another interesting wrinkle: My father (one of the sons) purchased the 75 acres of farmland adjacent to this property shortly before Grandpa died, to lower their property tax bill.  This was before the reverse mortgage was in place.  Dad now owns the right of way (driveway), and the well for the 11 acre property.  In order to sell the property the reverse mortgage company would have to dig a new well ($10K) and cut a new driveway, 200 yards from the road and bridge over a creek (an EPA/DEP nightmare to permit).

Any ideas on how to approach the reverse mortgage company?  Any ideas on how to extract the equity from the property for the brothers?  They are all successful and financially sound, but it would be a shame to just let the property go.  Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

-Matt Swearingen 

Loading replies...