All Forum Posts by: Donald Robers

My advice would be to apply to the IRS for a "letter ruling" on your situation.  Basically, you write out your argument and the IRS decides if it has merit.  If they concur they will send you a written statement allowing your interpretation of tax law.  No expensive CPA or attorney fees required, and you have certainly shown yourself both articulate and energetic in defending your views.

The downside, of course, is that you have then popped up on the IRS radar.  It depends on how convinced you are that your argument will survive scrutiny.

I do not understand how it comes to pass that all of the leaves fall on your neighbor's lawn.  Are the prevailing winds that steady?

Or do you have to train it when it is a sapling - put newspapers on the lawn around it and then dump the leaves over the property line?

@Jay Hinrichs - This is what I love about browsing on BP.  This morning I had no idea  that there was such a term as " stumpage value" !

@Alexis Monroe - You have 4 parties apparently claiming past or present control of this lot (yourself, previous owner, adjacent lot owner and current renters).  I agree that the previous owner is out of the picture due to your purchase.  Now you have to untangle what is going on with the other 2 parties.

It seems that you have only received information from the party supposedly renting the lot for storage.  I would contact the party said to be collecting the rent.  You said you have this party's address so write a concise letter introducing yourself as the property owner and asking for clarification of the situation that enables them to rent out the lot.  Send the letter registered mail, return receipt requested.

While waiting for a response talk to the "renters" again and try to get details about the amount of rent paid and any agreement (written or oral) pertaining to their tenancy on your lot.  No need to be adversarial at this point - you just want information.

Once the situation is clear to you, brainstorm to devise a solution.  Perhaps the rent collector would be interested in purchasing your interest to preserve his rental flow; perhaps the "renters" themselves could purchase the lot to keep their storage space.

Seems to me there are a number of mutually beneficial outcomes if you are careful not to proactively burn any bridges

@Account Closed you could also have the seller request, or give you written authorization to request, a mortgage pay-off statement from his lender.  That should tell you the principal, interest and penalties due as of a certain date.  While that is in the works do some research at the Registrar of Deeds to find unpaid property taxes.  While you are at it check for any mechanic's liens or unpaid utility bills that could travel with the property.

An unfortunate practice of many businesses is to work harder to acquire customers than to retain customers.  If the agent has been informed of your concerns and is unable or unwilling to meet your expectations it is time to get new representation.

Well, someone has to say it - people are just dying to get into that neighborhood!

Bright side - You are not likely to have a rodent problem!

My first thought as well.  He could easily have been trying to check out the place for a "midnight requisition" of your copper pipes.

There are many types of liens. Some may be easily corrected, such as a contractors lien that has been satisfied but was never removed from the record. A phone call can clear those up. Other liens, such as bank, tax or HOA liens are very serious and need to be addressed before a seller can deliver marketable title to a buyer.

You would want to consult a RE attorney, but I guess you could either make your offer contingent on the lien being cleared or buy at an appropriate discount and pay the lien yourself.

Ignoring a lien against the property is not a solution.