All Forum Posts by: Tyson Begly

I've used the Majors Law Firm in Birmingham. 

I recently bought a tax certificate in Russell County, AL.  The house is clearly abandoned, as there is no power or water, and the house is completely overgrown.  We've also had a sign on the front door for more than 2 weeks with no response.  However, there is always a chance someone could redeem later or the tax sale could be void.

I wouldn't consider anything in the house "valuable".  There are some trash bags of stuff such as books, an old couch, an old mattress, some clothes and some old family portraits.  Attached are a couple of pictures to create a visual.  I can't imagine any one item is worth more than $100, but it's a 3 bedroom house full of this stuff.  There is too much stuff to put everything in storage.

If I wasn't worried about a later redemption or void sale, I would hire someone to throw away everything in the house. However, since I have that risk, I feel like I should assess if anything should be kept just in case someone comes back and ask for it.  Are there any types of rules of thumb (e.g. keep clearly personal items, or items over $100 value) that you would suggest?  In cases where houses were redeemed later, I would be curious as to what was considered "trash".  

Thank you, @Denise Evans.  It's the answer I wanted to hear, but it makes sense. 

@Denise Evans If the heirs have not taken action to move the title into an estate, or to transfer to an heir, how is the state supposed to know the person is deceased?  I completely understand if there was action taken to handle the estate and the state wasn't paying attention, but if no action has been taken, I don't see why it would be void if the state was sending to the right person per the latest records they have.

I have a few properties were the name listed in the title auction was already deceased, and held them for several years.  Presumably, there wasn't a will or any heir actively pushing for ownership, so the taxes weren't paid and it eventually ended up with me.  Have I just been lucky i these instances?

@Denise Evans

I was afraid this would be the answer. Is it 6 years even if we get a quiet title after we get the deed?

I have a tax certificate for Chambers County from the 2023 auction.  The house is clearly abandoned, as the power box is disconnected, AC is removed and someone clearly packed up the stuff.  It has been sitting abandoned, and no one has responded to our signs on the doors for 2 weeks.

According to Alabama GIS, the 2021 taxes were paid in March 2022. We paid the 2022 taxes at the 2023 auction.

I found an obituary where it looks like the previous owner passed away in October 2021.

I've never had a tax sale turn out to be void, but it is my biggest fear with Alabama tax sale investing. I sent a letter to the owner address listed in Alabama GIS, but they never responded.  I don't know who I would file an ejectment against.

The house needs repairs, so I'm scared to see what it would look like in over 3 years after I get the tax deed and file a quiet title.  I also don't want to invest $20k+ in repairs if there is potential they wouldn't get reimbursed.

Thoughts on whether it's valid, or how to protect myself?

I emailed them and they responded back as a seemingly legit group.  My schedule didn't work out last year, but I wanted to attend the conference mainly to network and find lenders that work with tax lien/deed investors.

Hi Denise, it's almost another 3 years before I have the deed. I can't find the owners to serve ejectment papers. I'll call you to discuss. 

I recently acquired a tax certificate of an abandoned house.  I would like to start renting it out, but there are 7 abandoned vehicles on the property. The lot is not large enough to move them away from the house and still rent it. 

I'm sure I could get someone to tow them, but afraid I would be liable for them if for some reason the property was redeemed.

I've heard you can file for an abandoned title on a car, but not sure how that would work.  I'm also not sure if that would remove my liability for the homes.

Any suggestions for what to do with the cars, without exposing myself to the liability of them?