How Do I Get In The House I Just Bought?
I have read numerous books on Foreclosure buying, but nobody seems to go beyond the courthouse steps. I would love to buy this house that is up for foreclosure next week, but was just wondering, if I win, how do I get in if there are no tenants or owners? Do I barge in the door? Do I get a key at foreclosure (too convenient)? Help me. I want to own a house I can't get into. 
[addsig]
I think you should check for a key under the mat.
And when you don't find one there, you should do a little happy dance cause the place is vacant and you own it! You can do whatever you want to gain entrance. Then you re-key the place and away you go.
Happy auctioning,
Noel
[addsig]
If you are the high bidder at auction and the property is vacant, you should either call a locksmith(for $100.00), or find a creative idea to break in. 2 years ago I purchased a Lock pick set at the local hardware store. Total cost of the pick was $30.00. It took me about 1 month to learn how to pick a lock within seconds. The tool has now paid for it's self about 100 times.
Be sure to bring with you both a slotted, and phillips head screwdriver, and a battery operated drill with a good, sharp, 1/8" drill bit, about 3 1/2" long.
When a mortgagee changes a lockset, they usually leave the old lockset on the floor, inside the door. If you have the old key, you can reuse the old set, or replace it with a new, inexpensive lockset.
Take a battery operated drill, and drill right thru the keyhole in the doorknob.
It's very soft metal, so it won't take more than a minute or so. The idea is to remove the little bits of metal that correspond with the fitted key. Then, take the slotted screwdriver, and insert it in the doorknob as if it were a key. Turn it and voila! You are in.
Of course, you'll have to replace the lockset you've just destroyed.
Before you do anything, make sure that the right of redemption period has expired before you try to move in. Otherwise you might be the one who gets evicted...
I guess it depends on your state. I've always heard here that the sheriff takes you down and opens it up for you. I guess in case anybody wasn't clear on the fact that the house had been foreclosed on.
Then there was the story about the guy who bought a house at the auction and found a body inside the house - good thing the sheriff was with him....
Thanks for all the replies. Noel2, the house is vacant per the neighbors which makes it all the more enticing. If I do win it at auction I'll do the worst cabbage patch dance in history in your honor!
Wingnut,
Do you have any priors we need to know about?
I'm surprised no one said try the front door, it may be unlocked.
I'll let you know the results.
If you plan to continue buying foreclosures do to Home Depot or Lowe's and buy a pair of builders locks. Then you can give your subs keys to get in and out. When you finish the house change the lockset and reuse the builder set on your next project. If you are lucky they will give you the key after you win the house at the auction.
In Ohio you put down 10% non refundable day of sale and balance at closing. There you should receive the keys from the owner, that in all probability being the bank, since it was a foreclosure. You do not legally own the house til you close on it, so be very careful about spending money on it until after the close. Doesn't mean I haven't worked on them before the closing. Heck i once had a tenant in for 60 days before I closed... but that was an REO, not an Auction prop.
Good Luck,
Shawn(OH)
The easiest way is to have proof of ownershiip. Call a locksmith and have the locks rekeyed.
Why would you want a key that umpteen people have had the opportunity to make duplicated thereof??