All Forum Posts by: Jerry Holt

@Kevin Branin

For Pennsylvania probates you want to look for a "petition to probate" document in the individual case file. Some might be scanned and you might be able to view on a computer terminal or you might have to look at the actual hard copy paper file. Once you locate this document it will have the name and address of the PR (personal representative) and that would be the one to contact. If they are using an attorney it will also have her/his contact info as well.  Hope this helps.

@Kevin Flowers  I look for the petition to probate documents. My technique is going to the court house and taking photos of the recent petitions filed and then I later transfer the data to a spreadsheet. Most courthouses I've visited will allow you to take pics but you may want to check with them first.  Otherwise you could take a laptop with you and enter the data on a spreadsheet. Once you have done a few of these it will become easier for you.

Good luck!

@Kevin Flowers  I'm not familiar with your area. If you can't access the probate court data online you will need to go to the probate court for each county and source your data from case files. Many times they have computer terminals you can use, but some counties you may need to look at the actual paper files. You would want to look for the petition to probate document. This document has several titles, depending on your area but basically it's an application to enter a case into probate. 

@Tyler Shoaf Agreed with Rick above. A simple title search is all that is needed to find out if the property has a new owner.  This research usually allows you to look at the original mortgage amount, locate any 2nd's or lines of credit and also encumbrances in your effort to determine equity. 

If there is no new owner do a name search with the probate court in the county the property is located in. If there is a case filed you can most generally find contact information for the executor/personal representative, which the great majority of the time is a family member. Look for the petition to probate document. It will usually contain the information you will need.

@Shmuli Wilhelm Why not compile your own pre-foreclosure list?  I agree with Jeff above that working foreclosures is a competitive market. In addition to lis pendens you should consider searching for "substitution of trustee" filings with your local recorders office or register of deeds office, depending on what they call it in your neck of the woods. Some of these filings can be an indicator of potential foreclosures. 

Good Luck!

It's been a few months since you posted your question @Allan Smith but all you need to do is go down to the Davidson county probate court. I have sourced 100's of probate records there in the past. They have most of the probate cases along with the documents available via computer terminals. Just search for the probate filings in the date ranges you are looking for. Ask the clerk if you have any issues. Once you open a probate case look for the "petition to probate" document, open it and it will have the information you are looking for... executor and heir addresses, even attorney contact info if you choose to go that route. 

@Marc C. and @Ken Rishel thanks to both of you for your input. What you are both saying makes sense. I like your approach Marc and repeat mailings like you are doing would be essential. You both have gave me a lot to consider and I will be re-thinking my approach with the MHP owners before I dive into it. 

Thanks John and Howard for your input. I am still going through the learning process when it comes to MHP strategies. And I do agree a good amount of due diligence will be required.

I am interested on learning more on mobile home park deals but I’m not interested in listed properties that the various websites provide. That market may be too crowded. I’ve been reading the threads on BP and it seems that locating contact information for MHP owners is a challenge for some. That isn’t an issue for me as I am able to locate the owners through public record research. So, now that I have the owner contact information what’s next? What circumstances would make the owner a potentially motivated seller?

My first thoughts were to do title searches on the MHP owners to determine if there are any encumbrances, such as liens, easements, judgments, taxes or any other issues. If the dollar amount of the encumbrance is not too high, but it remains unpaid, it would make me wonder why. Is the owner in a financial situation?

Looking into physically distressed MHP properties is also an option, depending on just how distressed they are.

Other than the above mentioned scenarios are there any other thoughts on what might turn a MHP owner into a motivated seller? Thanks BP folks!

I'm not personally familiar with Arizona  probate filings, but Rick is correct regarding early filings in that the inventory listing may not be available. The assessor is usually a good place to start though. If the will is filed within the probate file you could look at that also, as occasionally the property address is shown. Another method is to look at the death certificate if it's available. Finally, you could also do a name search with the county register of deeds/recorders office. Deeds of trust, quit claim deeds and warranty deeds often times reflect property addresses. But that approach works best only if the decedent didn't have a very common name. Common last names such as Smith or Jones would most likely bring up too may results. Good luck!