All Forum Posts by: Adam Goldberg

My wife and I are first time homebuyers in the market for a multi-family that would also by our primary residence in Newton, MA and would love to talk to someone that has started in a similar fashion in the area and would be willing to share advise on successes (or failures!) Extra points if you know a financial planner/CFP with real estate investment experience. Coffee is on us!

Dropping some locations of places we’d be willing to travel to in order to get more eyes on the post via keyword alerts... Nonantum, Newtonville, Auburndale, Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, Arlington, Brighton, Chestnut Hill, Needham, Jamaica Plain, Boston, Cambridge, Somerville)

Appears someone is occupying the property, there was a small package left for a few days that was finally picked up. That being said, the driveway is inaccessible, as a broken tree is blocking it and everything is overgrown. I believe there may be a squater. I have a couple more emails out trying to identify the owner and will send a hand written letter if I don’t get any leads from those.

@Jason Guinard, how did this turn out?

@Jason McLendon, how did the door knocking/letter writing go on these (2) properties?

@Matt Carey, any luck?

@Jesse Frageman or @Will Hoyle any luck getting a template for a vacant home owner letter? I think I found one myself and would like to reach out appropriately. 

@Kyle Mccaw thanks for the suggestions. I was able to find who I think may be the owner’s brother. I sent him an email via his company website, and was also able to find a couple phone numbers associated with the brother. Next, If I don’t hear back by end If week, I will post on the front door and send a letter. If anyone has an example of this type of note/letter and would be willing to share, that’d be greatly appreciated!

A neighborhood house appears vacant for 3-5 years according to my father-in-law, yard unkept, driveway overgrown, siding/roof peeling, window shades a mess, etc. Architecturally, it was for sure, once a very beautiful home on a great corner lot. Who knows what the interior is like though.

It used to belong to an older woman, who passed according to my father-in-law. I found the owners name from the city, but no luck locating them on any with just Google search. According to city records, looks like her son (the owner) purchased the house for $1 in 1999, and the mother passed away in 2001. 

Perhaps the son, who at his point must be in his 60's or 70's is living in the house, does not come out, and is living like a hermit. 

What would you suggest I do next in order to try to find out more information on the house (taxes, liens, etc.)? My first thought is to try sending a letter direct to the home address, would love to have any tips/templates before sending, as I have never done this before and am not entirely sure how I should word a letter to them.

Thanks, Adam

Disregard my last comment. Same name, wrong guy. Going to send a letter to the house to see if someone is in fact living there. Hoping I can find a good email template here on BP.

I actually think the owner may be a mortgage broker by occupation, but that is unrelated to his ownership in the property, as I believe he purchased the home from his mother for $1 15 years ago prior to her death.