All Forum Posts by: Steven M.

Hi,

I have been following a property that is now in foreclosure and going for a sheriff sale auction at the county court house. The property is located in Delaware County, Pa.

I have a few questions:

1. How do I research to see if there are any liens, or title issues with the property? Is a title search all I need to do?

2. I have been told that even if I do a title search, there maybe some hidden liens or financial issues that the title search did not find. Is this true? How am I able to be 100% certain there are no financial surprises (such as liens that I am unaware of) that may come up if I purchase the property? I was also told this is what title insurance is for and that will cover any financial issues with the title.

Thanks !

What is the best strategy to go about locating any heirs to this property ? A private detective as mike suggested? I also see there are some online companies that offer heir searches.

Hi,
I am interested in purchasing a house located in the Philadelphia, Pa suburbs. The owner is deceased, and the house has been sitting vacant for about 3 years. I contacted his girlfriend who sold him the property and she informed me there was no will. She also said he has no immediate family (parents, siblings, children, spouse). She believes he has a few distant cousins located many states away, but she is not completely sure. Recently the house had a preforeclosure notice tapped to the door by the sheriff's office. I can see mail delivered on the porch that is addressed "to unknown heirs of (the deceased individual)."

What I have done so far:

- Researched public records on the property I can see the taxes are being paid (I assume by the mortgage company so it does not go to tax sale), but the mortgage is not being collected.

- Contacted the mortgage company to see if a preforeclosure purchase, or any purchase options are possible, and explained the situation. They told me it is not and I will have to wait for the property to hit the market as a foreclosure sale. They will not give me a specific date as im not the owner and its private information.

- Contacted the county treasurer's office. They informed me there is no listing of an upcoming foreclosure sale and that is all the information they have.

- I can not pull the death record to locate heirs, as it appears to access this you have to be related or appointed as a power to the deceased individual in some way.

- Left a letter in the door explaining who I am and stating I am interested in purchasing the property with hope an heir would recieve it. The letter is still there 1 year later with other mail piling up

How do I go about locating the heirs or what are my next steps to try to acquire this property?

Hi

I have owned a rental property for 2.5 years, located in south eastern pennsylvania. I have inherited the tenant that came with the property and she has been there a total of 4 years. She is a good tenant and has given me no issues at all and pays on time.

She sent me a message saying her mom is being discharged from hospice care and is now going to move in with her so my tenant can take care of her. She is asking if she can install handicap grab bars by the toilet and in the bathtub / shower for her mom. She said she would pay for them to be installed.

What is the recommendation for this?

Since she is a good tenant Im leaning towards allowing her to get the grab bars installed, unless there is reason to recommend against this.

My thoughts are:

1. Allow the grabs bars to be installed but require her to have a licensed contractor perform the installation, and I would receive a copy of the receipt.

2. Allow her mom to move in and add her to the lease.

What are everyone's thoughts on this and how do I make sure I am protected legally?

Thank you