Last piece of the puzzle... Land Trust question

[Mikel Graham]

Hello everyone,

I've been scouring this forum since getting interested in wholesaling. I decided early on that this was something that I was going to do. Consequently, with each new step I've learned, I just went out and did it. I have a number of REOs that I'll be bidding on, and I have a list of cash buyers at my disposal. There is just one thing holding me back at this point...

How exactly to handle the Land Trust. I know there are different methods in turning over a contract/property to a buyer. For now, I have elected to go the Land Trust route. At this point in time, I'm not interested in the other methods as the Land Trust method is what I've devoted my time to. I'm looking to place my first bids next week and thus do not want to have to educate myself on a completely new approach.

So in a broad sense, I need to know step by step how to use the land trust in fine minute detail.

From what I've read and heard about, it is my understanding that you create an EMPTY trust first. Following that, when placing a bid on a property, you attach an addendum indicating that the property will be put into that EMPTY trust. Beyond this, I'm pretty clear on what to do.

My hang up is, creating the EMPTY trust. When I filled out the paperwork for the trust with NO PROPERTY in it and tried to get it notarized (so that it would have validity), I was told that it couldn't be notarized since it was incomplete.

So, since I can't get the empty trust notarized, I'm kind of stuck.

How do I handle this?

As soon as I'm clear on this, I'll be able to make my next move in completing my first deal, so expediency is appreciated! :-)