How Can I Get Homeowner To Move Out
I am a new investor, and just bought a house from auction. But homeowners are still living there, I don't know what kind of people they are, and kind of afraid to go there to tell them that is my house, and they have to move out. I don't know how to deal with them.
Any advice?
thanks,
kathleen
Get an attorney to initiate eviction. Be prepared to throw some money at the soon to be displaced homeowners.
Don't give them a nickel until they hand you the keys and it's left in broom swept condition. Cash for keys.
an eviction may cost you a few hundred bucks and 3 weeks or so. offer them $100 if they're completly out by a certain date. (7 days)
Recommend you first find & read TX foreclosure law to see what statute says about evictionn following the auction.
Then when you know the law, you might check the yellow pp. in Houston for "eviction" company, see what they'd charge you. Those outfits do this all the time, and they know the law & tricks very well...and might be a good bit cheaper than any lawyer.
I know many very succesful REI'd who would never do a foreclosure, if they can help it, because the tenant might decide to really trash the house before being ejected by the sheriff.
So if you could contact and make some kind of deal to buy a release and property " vacation" from them, it might save you lots of money in repairs.
My two cents:
That was a damn stupid move! If you bought an house at foreclosure auction KNOWING the owners were still in it, there had better be MASSS amounts of equity in it = TONS OF PROFIT..
But more commonly houses sold at auction have little if any equity (WHICH IS WHY THEY MAKE IT TO AUCTION) on top of any work, repairs needed, and damage to the home your unaware of.
Get an attorney IF your unaware of the legal process and laws for eviction!
And at least one other investor on here knows how to get owners to do what you want them to.. CASH!!!! Pay them to LEAVE.. It is nicer to give them the money than the courts and attorney!
Try an offer of $500 cash the second their out!
And I am curious, just what is the homes FMV and how much did you pay for it at auction COMPLETE unaware of the inside condition & with the owners still in it?
Chris,
I always think that the carrot should precede the stick. I've seen owners who have poured a sack of concrete in each toilet. I've seen them strip the place of all plumbing fixttures, doors, kitchen cabinets etc, etc, I would contact them.
See if some U-haul money will motivate them to move. (the cash is given only when they're loaded up and ready to leave the driveway. You come over with the cash and a locksmith).
I try to give them a reasonalble amount of time to vacate. I also tell them that "company policy" dictates that I have to start the eviction process, "but, you've already agreed that you'll be out before that date, right"" The eviction should be scheduled for a few days after they promised to be gone. That way you haven't lost much more time.
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" I don't know what kind of people they are, and kind of afraid to go there to tell them that is my house, and they have to move out."
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Mr. & Mrs. Former's? Yes, I know them. They are either armed and dangerous Texans or just some nice guys with no money and lot of ignorance within their hart or they would already move out knowing that rangers are coming. Here are few option out of my recipe book:
1) Waico Way -Government assured, legal and well known nationwide!
2) Nice Letter Way - Accompanied with:
a) High priced, nicely typed 1 year lease agreement,
b) A polite note telling them that if they would like to stay, they are welcome after they sign the lease agreement and give you 2 months deposit, last and current rent and finally
c) Let them have a glance of a photocopied check, already written in their name with instruction that amount depreciate with rate of $100.00 /day, if they do not come to collect it in their U-Haul truck!
c1) Park them a small U-Haul track in front of the house so you can sell whatever they leave to cover a soft eviction procedure.
PS
Don't mention the sheriff in your letter because if they are afraid of being evicted buy a guy with a star, they will not wait for you to start scarring them.
PPS
If you don't have the correct 1800 U-Haul-Tel post the question in "Subject to" forums. Someone there would know it by hart.
I have the same situation. I notified them of the sale (of which they were totally unaware-yeah right). And negotiated a move out date. They asked for 30 and I told them 3 days was our policy, but being that her husband was out of town for a week, gave them 10 days (2 weekends).
In exchange, they were not to damage the property to which she agreed. Additionally, I was to inspect the house within a day or two.
That will happen this morning. I will take a property inspector (my buddy) with me. While I deal with the prior owners emotions, he will inspect the house. Not a thorough inspection, but a walk through.
Keeping my fingers crossed, it worked last time. I realize there is a grieving process and try to be flexible, but not rolled.
ItzMe
P.S. I can get a "writ of possession" issued by clerk of court who delivers to sheriff. They will evict in 7 days if necessary.
Good Luck
Sometimes the home's front and back and side doors are in dire need of painting, and for one reason or another the painting needs to be done off-site.
(before you do it, check your local statutes and case law first to make sure the legislature or courts haven't had anything to say about this)
Flacorps...that is too funny! I wonder if anyone missed that. TAKE THE FRICKIN' DOORS OFF THE HOUSE!
An update to my situation. Met with homeowners this morning and the house is in great condition. The wife had not told the husband she was not making the payments. He claims that they had the money, but she hid it from him. This is very possible as he works 7&7 offshore.
They appreciated my giving them time to move and I was very empathetic. I much prefer when they are vacant and I don't know what the story is behind the foreclosure.
But, try working with the people and you'll probably have good results- Usually!
ItzME
Thank you guys for all these advice. I just bought the insurance for the house, and I will go there tomorrow to talk to them.
Go and talk with the former owners of the house.
Go with a kind heart, but a firm one. They have just lost their single biggest asset in the world, they will be a little upset. Be kind, let them know that you have bought the house and would like to help with their situation. You can offer them a little money as soon as they move in the next week and leave the property in good condition.
Simple direct and to the point.
Remember you want them on your side.
So what happened after you talked to them? How did it go?
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I went there twice during the weekend, and the owner refused to come out talk to me. I knew he was home and watched TV, but he didn't want to open the door to talk. I left a letter for him, and telling him if he can move in three days, he will receive some money from me. But He never called. I guess he just ignores the whole situation.
Going to file eviction on Monday....
I am fortunate. My former owner has been packing and moving all week. They are just about out. Man...did they have some stuff! His wife was a garage sale junkie and the attic was stuffed.
Wifey did pull up all the concrete edging along the flower bed in the front yard. I asked her about it and she said "yeah, I spent $200 on it and am not going to leave it."
The moving was going well and I did not want to upset the applecart; however, I asked her if $50 would save her the trouble of having to pack and stack it. She paused and said "I like that idea" as I pulled the money from the wallet. So I dont have to replace.
WIN-WIN We're both happy!
I think they appreciate the flexibility I showed in giving them 10 days to relocate and are showing it. They gave me a set of keys today and said they should be finished by tomorrow.
ItzMe
Awesome!
I would always try the soft way before involving lawyers. My last class action suit I got $5 and the lawyers 130 million
Generally buying them off is fast, cheap, and gives them incentive. $500 would not be too much in my book and it is tax deductible..
Well they took MY stove! But, I was going to replace it anyway. I still have his 3 wheeler in the backyard. Anyone want to trade a Honda 3 wheeler for a stove? LOL
ItzMe
sure I wll trade you!!!!
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