All Forum Posts by: Pixie Hall

What a bunch of good suggestions! At lunch I went to the county registrar of deeds to do some sleuthing.

Lender is First Franklin, a division fo National City Bank out of San Jose, CA

(Wikipedia indicates First Franklin was bought by National City Corp & Merrill Lynch, which was in turn bought by BOA & PNC Financial Services)

Also listed was MERS (Mortgage Electronic Registry System), P.O. B 2026, Flint, MI 48501 Would it be worth it for me to contact MERS?

The owner was an older lady who lost her job, tried to work with the bank, tried to sell it herself, then bailed to FLA. I internet stalked her and I think I found her - wrote her and asked her for the lienholder info, but no response. She only owned it 2 years so I know it's not paid off.

5 years worth of back taxes are owed (~$3500 or less), as well as a lien by the county for $666 for mowing.

I have a two-fold interest in this. Yes, getting the property fixed back up, but am also considering it as an investment. What is sketchy is not only the foreclosure issue, but back taxes. As I understand it, if you buy a property for back taxes the mortgage company has a year to buy it back - does this sound correct?

Regarding contacting local government - I've been contacting codes, county commissioner, and county mayors office for several years. They informed me the property will be sold for back taxes in late 2014.

So....there you have it.

Any more thoughts or insight?

Thanks everyone, ya' all have been amazingly helpful

I did an online search for $29.95 , and the result was First Franklin Financial Corporation. ( I mistyped that original company in my post - it's First Franklin Financial Corporation, not First Financial Corporation, my apologies.)

Is the title updated each and every time the mortgage is sold to a new company?

Hello -

Foreclosed & abandoned home in my Knoxville neighborhood, been vacant 5+ years now and is deteriorating quickly. Tree fell on the roof several years ago, county removed the tree, but the roof has been open. Raccoons have set up a frat house in the attic, the yard is overgrown, etc. Original lienholder is listed as First Financial Corporation, which tanked in the subprime crisis. First Financial was bought by National City Corp. & Merrill Lynch, which were subsequently bought by Bank of America and PNC Financial Services. I have contacted ALL these companies and no one seems to hold the lien on this house.

How can I unravel this mess and figure out who indeed owns the home, and then get someone to take responsiblity for the upkeep and subsequent sale of the home? The home has become a fire hazard and neighborhood eyesore in what is a nice residential neighborhood.

Thanks for the insight!

Pixie