Entering A Vacant Property That Is For Sale.
Hello group I was wondering have any of you been in this situation, and how would you handle it. I have spoken to an owner of a property in Buffalo, New York that is for sale. She lives in Florida and is in poor health. I want to go in an examine the property. She says that she can email me a letter saying that I have permission to enter the property. Legally is a letter from an owner all I need to enter a property that is vacant, or do I need to alert other people? Thanks a lot for your help.[ Edited by liljon88 on Date 01/10/2004 ]
just walk in, i've done it before twice and i'm still here to talk about it. a letter from her makes it even safer - in my humble opinion. if it's boarded up, take a crowbar, hammer and possibly some screwdrivers.
actually, once i went in and out thru the window, because i didn't want to deal with the boarded up front door.
I do it all the time, should not be a problem. Just walk right in.
Just dont destroy anything. that would be rude. If you have permission its not tresspassing, so it doesn't matter what anyone who see's you thinks either
[addsig]
Thanks all of you for your answers. I feel a lot beter about entering the property now.
Take your digital camera along when you go in. Use the pictures you take to justify your LOW offer...
Hope it turns out to be a great deal.
[addsig]
I've done it a number of times. I don't camp there. I get in and I get out. Generally you need a strong flashlight if the windows are all boarded up. I'm a back door kind of guy. Be as quiet as possible. Re-secure the property when you leave.
I'd feel better getting a signed letter faxed to me rather than an email unsigned letter. I know one dude who puts on a jump suit so the locals think he's an inspector.
Just remember safety. As a real estate agent we are constantly reminded on NOT GOING ALONE!!!
Good advice from others, but make sure either someone is with you or you call and have some sort of check in established...good luck!null
Hey,
I have broken in to a lot of houses. Please notice I do not mince words: I have BROKEN in to a lot of houses.
Sometimes I have the owner's permission, sometimes they are HUDs, sometimes they are on the MLS, etc, etc. Once or twice, they have been houses I own (because the tenants changed the locks and moved).
If a cop pulls up while you are prying off the boards to a window (while carry your Burglar toolset), you are going to jail. I do not care how many letters you have from the owner, you are going in to the back of the car and to the jailhouse.
Imagine if you will, you look over at your neighbors house (who moved away two months ago) and you see someone jimmying the door. You would call the cops, ASAP.
When you are the criminal, your job is prevent someone from calling the cops. Here is what I do:
1) Talk to the neighbors BEFORE you break in.
2) Park your car in front of the house NOT IN THE DRIVEWAY. People on official business do this. If you happen to have a WHITE pickup truck put orange cones in front and behind the truck when you get out. You can now rip the front door off and no one will bother you.
3) Have a clipboard and make notes on it. Clipboards cost $0.89. Tie a pen to it.
4) Get a yellow hardhat and workboots
5) Make a clip on name tag using a business card size plastic sleeve. It says your name and real estate investor (or whatever). From a distance, no one can read it anyway.
6) Only do the above if you have legal permission to be there.
Everyone will think you are suppose to be in the house.