Philadelphia property owner has died, caretaker hesitant to sell.

Philadelphia property owner has died, caretaker hesitant to sell.

Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes

I am looking to purchase a property near Northeast Philadelphia. The homeowner died recently and there is only an elder (60s or 70s) live-in caretaker living at the residence. I stopped by the home to introduce myself, give my condolences for her loss and tell her that I am an investor, etc. She seemed hesitant and very reluctant to want to talk. A friend of mine told me about the owner passing away so this was not a property pulled off of a probate list or anything like that.

I asked the caretaker what they plan to do with the home and she mumbled something about, "they" may sell it but didn't say who "they" are. I asked if there was a will and she said yes (not sure how accurate any of her responses are). My guess is that since she is currently living at the home rent free that she fears that if a "seller" i.e someone like myself comes by that she will be kicked out and have to find a new place to live. I am not sure if the owner has children. I think she may have one child after I ran the property through a skip tracer. I know for a fact that the home is paid off and has no taxes or liens due.

How can I find out if there is a will attached to the estate or not so I can see who is the rightful owner to the inherited estate? Is this something I can do myself? 

Any help or info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

0Reply
33 views

Investor-friendly agents in Philadelphia, PA

See the agents BiggerPockets members work with in Philadelphia, PA.

18 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 172 posts · 64 votes
    10y

    @Jessica F I would like to know the answer to this situation as well. I'm currently rehabbing a property that I got directly from the dead owners son. It wasn't lived in for 5 years and was a huge mess and infested with mice, squirrels and roaches. Yours doesn't sound that bad, but be prepared for some problems they may have ignored.

  • Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
    10y

    @Jessica F. Good for you on door knocking!! If there is a will, it should be filled in the county court house with the decedents information on who is entitled to what, etc, etc. The questions you asked should be the same questions you ask on your next potential (probate) deal. @Rick H. should be commenting shortly. 

    Good luck. 

    Mark (N-CA) 

    Sac/Placer counties.. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Sacramento/Placer ~ San Francisco Bay Area counties · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 743 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Jessica F.:

    I am looking to purchase a property near Northeast Philadelphia. The homeowner died recently and there is only an elder (60s or 70s) live-in caretaker living at the residence. I stopped by the home to introduce myself, give my condolences for her loss and tell her that I am an investor, etc. She seemed hesitant and very reluctant to want to talk. A friend of mine told me about the owner passing away so this was not a property pulled off of a probate list or anything like that.

    I asked the caretaker what they plan to do with the home and she mumbled something about, "they" may sell it but didn't say who "they" are. I asked if there was a will and she said yes (not sure how accurate any of her responses are). My guess is that since she is currently living at the home rent free that she fears that if a "seller" i.e someone like myself comes by that she will be kicked out and have to find a new place to live. I am not sure if the owner has children. I think she may have one child after I ran the property through a skip tracer. I know for a fact that the home is paid off and has no taxes or liens due.

    How can I find out if there is a will attached to the estate or not so I can see who is the rightful owner to the inherited estate? Is this something I can do myself? 

    Any help or info you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

     Yes Jessica, this is something you can do on your own. Remember, your an investor!! 

    Keep us informed.. 

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

     Hopefully that is not the case. From what I could see, the house appeared well taken care of. There has always been someone living there to maintain it. Good luck with your property!

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    In Phila, I believe that info is stored with the register of wills office but I am pretty sure you have be either a relative, executor or attorney to request a copy of the will. I don't think they will just hand it over to an investor.

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @Mark Pedroza see previous reply.

  • Investor · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2014 · 172 posts · 64 votes
    10y

    Thanks @Jessica F. Good luck with your deal as well. The project is about 4 weeks away from completion and should turn a nice profit once sold. By the way, probate deals are a strategy of mine too and I don't mind knocking on doors either. 

  • Lender · Greater LA/Orange County area, CA · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    What are you looking for us to tell you?

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @Rick H. I am trying to see if there is a simpler way to getting a hold of the will (if any) because I would like to purchase the property...

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @Philip Bashaw That's awesome! I have actually never dealt with probates before and oddly enough, I am dealing with two at the same time and they both come with headache. If you have any tips or strategies for this, I'd greatly appreciate it! 

  • Rental Property Investor · Rockford, IL · Member since 2014 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    10y

    @Jessica F.,

    You could try looking up some public records ...

    Where is the tax bill being sent? (County Collector's office)

    What were the most recent documents recorded against the property? Is there a mortgage which does not show as being released? Is there any evidence the property was put into a trust? (County Recorder's office)

    Can you find an obit for the former owner? If so, does it mention the deceased's family members, especially spouse, children, siblings, ...? (Local news publications, death notices)

    My $0.02...

  • Lender · Greater LA/Orange County area, CA · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    10y

    So you are trying to pursue thus opportunity. 

    Finding the will is only important if you are a beneficiary or care about the benefial interest(s).

    What you beed yo determine is if there is a person who can oaks marketable title to you. This is either a pre-probate, open probate or post-probate distributed (aka "inherited") estate.

    Find the death certificate and determine the next-of-kin. Former caregivers are like firmer house-keepers: they are hired help, unless related by blood or marriage.

    Actually drive to the courthouse of the Decedent's last residence (per the death Cert) and search the public records for any open probate or prior Conservatorship. 

    Half measures will produce similar results. Winners find ways!

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @David Dachtera Hi David, per my original post, the home is paid off and there are no taxes or liens pending against the property. I did look up public records which is how I was able to find out about the satisfied debts. 

    The only evidence I have is that the caretaker said that there was a will but I do not know this for a fact which is why I would like to get a copy of the will to see who is legally charged with being the executor of the estate. I couldn't find an obit or anything like that. A friend of mine told me about the owner's death so it was all word of mouth. I think she had a child but I am not sure and the caretaker is not providing much helpful info.

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @Rick H.  I guess the reason I wanted to see a copy of the will was to see if perhaps the caregiver may have been given executor privilege of the estate or not since she had been been there for so long, I was told that she was "part of the family." 

    Thanks, I will check into the courthouse to see if there is an open probate but I think this may be pre-probate.

  • Ian WalshBusiness Member
    Lender · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    10y

    Look up the public record for the owner and try to mail the owner on record or skip trace them.  There are also probate lists you can buy.

  • Vendor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2016 · 66 posts · 12 votes
    10y

    @Jessica F. @Ian Walsh I was going to suggest the same thing.  Locating the heir is the next logical step.  Find out who owns the house or has power of attorney and get in touch with them or family members.  All great advice though.  

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 96 posts · 26 votes
    10y

    @Account Closed @Ian Walsh Thanks! :)

  • Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 344 posts · 276 votes
    10y

    Hi @Jessica F.,

    Consider waiting until the family has some time to process the lost of their loved one and there emotions before approaching them again.  If you are able to obtain the contact information for the descendant heirs, when approaching the be careful not to come off as an opportunist, instead of someone who cares and want to ensure the home and its memories are preserved.

    Maybe the reception you received at the door was a case of the person focusing on the lost and  all the other things they needed to do with respect to the recent passing and not what they are going to do with a house.

    Paulette

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.