All Forum Posts by: Eric B.

If you own a vacant land via tax deed, is it possible to borrow against the property? If so, how does one go about doing that?

I've been buying Florida Tax liens since 2016. I bought a few Arizona tax liens in 2017, but they redeemed in 2019, and thus far I haven't bought any more. I've mostly been buying tax deeds in Illinois since 2018. I still buy Florida liens. But I'm trying to expand my deed buying beyond Illinois.

We bought this house at a county sale. The county did not share any information with us on previous leases or other arrangements made with these live-ins. All things considered, based on what you have informed me, it sounds like it may be time for me to start contacting a lawyer within the county.

My partner and I acquired a house in Abingdon, IL via over the counter sale in late 2019. Two months ago, we found out that there is a couple living in the house. Naturally I assumed they were squatters, so I contacted the local sheriff. The local sheriff told me the people living there have been paying the water bill in that house since 2014. He told us if we wish we could arrange for these people to pay my partner and I rent, but the sheriff would not force them out because they are considered legal tenants. Which makes no sense because they are not paying my partner and I anything to stay there despite the fact that we are the owners, and the sheriff himself even confirmed that.

What would be more beneficial: starting the eviction process or compelling the tenants to pay us rent? Are there any lawyers in the area to recommend in case we decide to evict? I've never evicted anyone, and definitely need advice in that matter!

We have prospective buyers for this house. But they need to see the inside of the house. But we can't get the buyers inside to see until we get these nonpaying tenants out. That's why I must either get them to pay or evict them.

Any advice and/or resources you can offer will be greatly appreciated, by myself and my partner!

I recently heard some advice given that if you have squatters in your houses, you should send a sheriff, not a lawyer, to evict them.

My partner and I have two Illinois houses -- one in Abingdon and one in Freeport -- that we acquired via tax deed, that we have been informed have squatters. I want them out now. But I've never evicted anyone in my life (Welcome to the Real Estate business, Eric!!!). 

So what would you advise? Would you advise lawyer or sheriff?

Also I'd appreciate greatly anyone who can include in their advice exactly how to go about this. Is it as simple as making a phone call? Are there forms to fill out? How much should I expect this to cost me?

Thanks in advance for any helpful words!

Thank you all for your valuable advice!

My partner and I have these two particular Illinois properties that we acquired via tax deed. We hired realtors to sell these properties for us only for the realtors to discover that the houses are occupied. Now, we know these are squatters, and not residents, because they are not paying rent to stay there.

My question is what action can we take to safely, speedily, legally and inexpensively remove these occupants from these two houses?

Any information you can share will be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all for the excellent resources and information!

Excellent! I'll check out your YouTube channel!

Now that I've finally got the ball rolling on residential real estate, I've been thinking more and more lately about dipping into the pond of commercial real estate investing. 

Can anyone recommend any courses, videos, books or anything educational to get started? And please, do me a favor, and don't say, "Read BiggerPockets posts". I'm talking about a source of commercial real estate investing EDUCATION, not advice or coaching or mentorship (not yet at least).

Basically, I'm in a situation where I run into prospective commercial deals, sometimes with fixer-upper properties, often. But my current level of knowledge and experience makes pursuing these opportunities far too risky.

I'm particularly interested in raw land, apartment buildings, storage companies and office buildings.

Any suggestions you offer will be greatly appreciated!