All Forum Posts by: Ryan M.

I can tell you that in Florida there are about a dozen companies already doing this.  After the tax deed sale, the county mails out a form to those owners who are due a surplus along with a dozen other mailers from all these companies. The majority of owners don't need a company to fill out a form and take a 30% cut but they fall prey to the marketing mailers.

Some of these surplus cases actually do take extra legal work though. I bought one where the owners died many years ago without probate. The heirs were tracked down and they had to file probate first to be able to make a claim.  All the heirs are out of state, and they probably were not even aware of their claim. 

Also, I believe Florida statute dictates that any surplus not claimed after 6 months goes to the State. County employees do what they can with the info they have available to properly distribute the surplus. Their is no 'gain' to them to keep the money, as the state ultimately gets any unclaimed funds. 

@Matthew Callahan Just saw your post. I'd be interested in speaking with some lenders.

I own a parcel in Florida via tax deed. On it is the lift station of the adjoining apartments. The parcel was originally developed by the apartment complex as a separate parcel for sewage waste. At some point they abandoned the septic field and stopped paying taxes. I don't think they realized their private lift station was on the parcel. They are refusing to give us access to our parcel, as it is land locked, even though statutes would require them to grant us access through their private road. We offered them the parcel at a very fair rate, which they low-balled. They are also in negotiations to sell the apartments. How big of an issue is it going to be for them since I now own the parcel that their lift station is on? I am also being assessed on my taxes another $30k in value for their lift station.

Thanks @Elijah F., I will take a look at them! 

My wife and I are making a trip to Hawaii in November to look for land. Does anyone have any suggestions of contractors to talk to about building a spec house? I have built several spec homes in other states, and I am looking for a contractor active on the east side of the island.

@Tommy Sowell, when you say 90% of condos are not zoned for vacation rentals, do people get away with it or is it enforced? Is it the same for SFH?

I did a small 12'x18' lookout for the 3rd floor, but If I built again I would do a full third floor and a garage of some sort at least for storage. Let's just say I ended up finishing up the house on my own.  

That price is about right for Cariillon. I built a 3 story vacation rental home near the Carousel. I'm almost 100% buy and sell and this will be my first vacation rental. Do your homework on builders! 

How's the vacation rental in Carillon going? I had a lot there that I was going to build on, but I ended up selling it and built a vacation rental in Laguna Beach instead. I really liked Carillon, but the rents there didn't seem like they would cover the premium of being in that neighborhood.  

The only taxes you may have to pay are the current or previous year, if they have not become past due. You don't have to worry about any other tax certificates outstanding, as those have to all be paid to apply for a tax deed:

197.502 (2) A certificateholder, other than the county, who makes application for a tax deed shall pay the tax collector at the time of application all amounts required for redemption or purchase of all other outstanding tax certificates, plus interest, any omitted taxes, plus interest, any delinquent taxes, plus interest, and current taxes, if due, covering the property.