All Forum Posts by: Jeanni Prescan

Hi Jon.  I live and invest in Beaver County.  Several areas here are literally on fire due to the cracker plant being built by Shell oil.  If that is of interest to you let me know.  I'm a realtor here and would be happy to help you.

Bellvue is a great area for multi units and rentals. Close to Pittsburgh with public transportation. I just saw a good foreclosure possibility on the MLS. I'm a realtor as well; let me know if you'd like more info.

Try Brad Dornish at Dornish Law in Pittsburgh.  I have been working with him for years. Dornish.net

@Corey Drexler I'd like to add to Jon's post: as in any market there are areas, even within areas, that we need to be aware of. 

I know Beaver County really well and know which areas, even streets within areas, that you would want to stay away from.  That's why I advise anyone wanting to invest in markets they don't know well to ask or hire someone to who does and get their opinion prior to purchasing.  A local realtor is a great resource for that.   One bad investment purchase can really mess you up!  I buy cheap properties that are the "fringe" so to speak, and have been successful with them for rentals and flips.  But I would not purchase a property just one street over from where mine are located!

I know this sounds like common sense, but I see people from out of the area purchasing property in very bad areas because they are so cheap.  Next thing you know they are in TCB sale because they couldn't find buyers for them and the renters they get are, well, you know.....

Sorry it took so long to update you all, but I've been working on this to get it resolved. 

Steve, the sale was conducted by TCB as I stated in my original post.  It wasn't that I was waiting for on a redemption period, as, like you said, there is no redemption period.  The year wait period is advised in case anyone of interest should challenge that proper notice was not given, which does happen, according to my attorney.  In addition no title insurance company will insure title unless a year has gone by, for that very reason.

That being said, my news is good!  Because the research to determine what the problem was regarding the TCB sale was not completed by Monday as promised, I decided to take a chance and call the settlement company attorney myself and ask what the issue was.  He told me that the concern was if the owners had passed away prior to the sale was notice served properly.  After asking me several questions about the rehab done on the property and being satisfied with my answers, and the fact that plenty of time had passed for heirs to raise any concerns he spoke to the underwriter and they decided to waive the need for the quiet title. 

So all's well that ends well, and I certainly learned valuable lessons: First, to not accept a directive, but to question the need for it.  Second, to try to resolve the problem myself before involving an attorney for a costly and time consuming process. I would have spent a lot of money on a quiet title and may have lost my buyers.

 What we all learned is that all TCB sales do not require quiet title for title insurance.

Than you all for your responses.  :)

OK, so I just got off the phone with my attorney and here is the info he gave me:

The Quiet Title is not required of all tax claim deeds.  That's good news!

 Apparently when the researcher for the title insurance company started looking at this particular property he felt there was something not right with the sale, perhaps in the way notice was posted, and that's why he requested the quiet title.  So we have to find out what that was by doing a little research and that will be done by Monday and I'll have more info at that time. 

Will keep you posted....

I guess they would say that it is truly free and clear and that I indeed own it. No one can take it away at this point.  I was advised to not do any major work for a year as the owners have that much time to raise issue and should that happen and they win the case I would receive the purchase price back but not what was spent in repairs. I did wait that year out. Plus title companies won't give title insurance the first year.  

However, it is the title company who won't issue insurance on the title without quiet title being issued.  That's the issue now.  I can't sell it without title insurance  The process takes a min of 60 days and cost is minimum $2500.  My buyers will be long gone by then and my selling season will be over. 

Pretty much sounds like I'm screwed with this house.  Unfortunately I have a lot of money tied up in this house.  Can't even get a finance on it?  Geez.....

I have a consultation with my attorney on Thursday and i will update you afterward. It may be better for me to not stir up any heirs who might want to challenge, just use it as a rental forever.  May be possible I would lose the house altogether.

I purchased a home at Judicial tax sale over 2 years ago and have a standard Tax Claim Deed. 

Now I am selling the house and the settlement company is requiring an action to quiet title, which I am told is going to delay closing.

I am wondering if anyone here has experience with this?  The former owners are both deceased and all the proper channels were followed with notices of the sale, etc.

Also, has anyone found a faster way to get this done? Maybe a particular company that specializes in it and can move it along faster than my attorney, who is always so swamped.

Will be looking forward to your replies.  Thank you in advance.

Hi Corey.  I'm a flipper, landlord and realtor from Beaver County.  We have a few great areas here, so if it's not too far away you might want to consider Beaver, Hopewell Twp and Center Twp.  :)  

Nice to chat with someone close by!