All Forum Posts by: Jim Viens

Not overly familiar with Mass laws but I'll take a stab at it. I'm guessing the property will have to be probated with Affidavits of Heirship filed of record. Probate can take a while as the courts have to perform due diligence in locating all possible heirs. All living heirs will also need to execute deeds for conveyance of title. As far as your squatter goes it may depend on how long they've been in the property and if a lease ever was executed. If there was and they have a copy of it you may have to go through formal eviction proceedings (may have to anyway...I'd plan for it). Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

Thanks for the tip, @Christian Hidalgo. I'll check that one out. 

And thank you @Dmitriy Fomichenko for the links, but I'm a step ahead there! Already addressed all three of those! ;)

Thanks everyone else for the warm welcome. 

Thanks @Engelo Rumora! I'll reach out to them! What part of Ohio did you go to? My family moved here from Springfield back in '69.

I didn't have time just now to read all of the comments so forgive me if I'm repeating information here. I worked in the title insurance business for 10 years (got laid off in '08 and am now in I.T.) There is a title product that most title companies offer called an "Ownership and Encumberance" (O&E) report that just lists the current vested owner/s and all liens on the property (including taxes). Back when I was in the business our company only charges something like $50 for them. This was primarily because they didn't show any past clouds on the title (only last current deed/s) and they didn't offer any guarantee of title on the property. Essentially just the same stuff a quick cursory check of the recorded documents would show. There are some states (can't remember which) that don't allow O&E reports but if you check with your title company they can tell you. Hope that helps everyone!

Hey everyone! My name's Jim and I've started reading up on getting involved in REI. From everything I've read I think I'll probably start with wholesaling single-family houses. I'm interested in getting with some more experienced wholesalers to get more concrete info on the process and paperwork involved as well as investors that buy from wholesalers to find out what kinds of properties I need to be looking for. The more I think about getting involved the more excited I get. I know it's going to be hard work but I think I'm up for it.

The most likely outcome is probate court with the property going to Carl's heir/s.

It's going to depend on the state & county you're in. For instance the county I live in has online searches available...through a paid site. The next county over, though, has owner info available on the county appraiser's site. I'd just google county land records search for the county you're in.