All Forum Posts by: Christos Philippou

@Cornelius Garland The frustrating thing is the idea that right now, nobody owns it, technically. Or at least the way I see it.... The deceased owner is no longer around... there was no will so no family member owns it... the city doesn't own it... so what gives?!?! why can't I pay the city the money they want, and move on with my life?? 

Frustrating! haha

Negative @Rich Schafer 

@Cornelius Garland thanks for taking the time to write that out and respond. The people I am speaking with are extremely friendly, enjoy my honesty, and I have truly sold "myself" to them. They really do want to see the property to me. I didn't know it can take that long though, haha, that's a LONG time! 

This was a gold mine too. I would have been in all in (after expenses and rehab costs) around $70k. Houses on the same block sell for $130. 

@James Masotti guess I'll try and make some more phone calls. It seems interesting because the city is trying to charge these people listed as C/O for the back taxes. I mean this is kind of obvious, the city wants their money. It's interesting to me that they have them listed on the county website though. 

hi @James Masotti thanks for the response. 

1) The county's website has the deceased gentleman as the owner. Interestingly enough, it says "C/O XXXXXX" which I have learned means "Care Of" which are the two people I mentioned I have been communicating with. The deceased person was their Uncle.

2) I had planned on doing a title search once I heard some good news from the next of kin, the title search here is $100. 

So I spoke with the real estate attorney at the Title company I typically use. She told me the only way to really go about it that she can come up with is opening up an estate, which the other people would have to do. Basically, the ball is in their court. If they don't want to do it, im SOL.

Hey everybody... looking to get some help on a strange lead that I have very little experience in. Hopefully somebody on here will see this who has some experience and can shed some light. Am I at a lost cause? Give up and move on? Or are there options? Thanks!

So I encountered a vacant/abandoned property that has been in that state for 3-5 years, and was condemned by the city due to it's poor status (hoarder house etc.). There are a couple years of back taxes owed, some late utility bills and such. All under $5k or so. 

The next of kin who I have been in touch with said the deceased owner didn't have a will, so they would have to go open up an estate at the Registrar of Wills and go through the process to take possession. They really want to sell it to me, but they just said they don't have the energy to go through all that. I offered to pay all their back taxes too, so they can actually walk with money. 

So what can I do? Anything at all? When does the city take possession of the house for back taxes or what not? Will the city even do anything about it? I live in Wilmington, and there are THOUSANDS of vacant properties that are just bordered up. I'll pay the city! But I doubt they will just take ownership of it to sell. 

Any help?

I am being 10000000% sarcastic......

I had no idea there were good and bad neighborhoods that vary block to block in cities... thanks @Chinmay J. ... I didnt even think to mention that in my own post

I am from the East coast, and know nothing about these cities (obviously there are tons of neighborhoods in each city that come with good areas and bad). With that being said, I laugh to myself as I just watched the 60 minutes this weekend on Chicago and how there were 55 shootings in the 6 days they were reporting there.

I mean, you can technically car pool, take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk.. so we should probably all sell our cars too.