Vacant Home
Hi,
I just found a vacant home and when I did a search on the address using Accurint, it says the owner has deceased (Passed away about 6 months ago). I tried to verify with the public records to see if he sold the property before he died and turns out, the property is still under his name. The house is all boarded up. How can I find out who owns it and if he doesn't have a will, does it mean the property belong to the city ???
If the city own it, can I ask the city if I can buy it from them. Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks...
is it tied up in Probate court? I have never tried to search that.
Can you find out if there any alternate POC info you can get from anyone.
Is it owned free and clear or still a mortgage on it?
Maybe the benificiary has info.
Going to the recorders office should tell whether it is in probate or not. Generally it will be in the owner's name with someone else appointed as their personal representative for the estate.
Check with the neighbors and see if he had family or not.
Yes you can buy it from the city
[addsig]
Stockpro99,
It is not in probate. Along with my search on Accurint, he has no relatives. Also, the title is cleared and has no mortgage on it.
Scott
check with the Register of Wills Office in the county where the deceased resided to see if an estate was opened. if so, you will have the name & contact info for the administrator/ executor & the estate's attorney.
if no estate was opened, go to the Recorder of Deeds Office in Philadelphia County and look at the actual Deed (don't rely on any type internet search unless it shows you the actual Deed). Perhaps there was a joint owner and it passed directly to them on death through operation of law.
talk to the neighbors and see what funeral director handled the final arrangements. you can call him to request info on his contact person. remember, if he says he can't give it to you, ask him to pass your message on and to have the person contact you.
the city doesn't own the house and won't by virtue of a death. if no one comes forth, municipal liens will begin to accrue for the sewer/trash/water & the back real estate taxes and it eventually will be sold at tax sale.
someone boarded up that house and it's probably not just anyone but someone with an interest.
excellent point Suek about the board up. Was it boarded professionally? Usually board up services have their name and phone number printed on the plywood. Contact them for info regarding who paid to have it boarded.
One thing to keep in mind about the city, county offices no matter where they are... And no matter what they say... Normally they are very slow in updating things... So go down and face to face find out who is in charge of it... If it is boarded up, 9 of 10 times they will get rid of it and usually at a very good price... So go to it... Research research research... and by the way, one of your best friends you will ever make is someone at the Records office... A friend their will help you more than you could ever imagine..
Duane