I purchased my house 19 months ago. On one side, there’s an empty lot maintained by the city. On the other side, there’s an old house, possibly condemned, boarded up, and rarely maintained. The city occasionally mows the front yard when the weeds or grass become overgrown.
During my house search, the sellers mentioned that the city was planning to demolish the neighboring house within a year. A few months ago, someone posted a notice on the front “door” stating that the house must meet building codes within 15 days or face demolition. However, several months have passed since then without any action.
All my attempts to find the current owner have led to the previous owner, who passed away years ago. I’m interested in purchasing the lot and demolishing the house myself.
Make sure you have accurate address details when searching for property ownership information. Also, be aware that local laws and regulations for accessing property records can vary, so it’s important to understand the procedures in your specific area.
LandGlide is a good app that lets you see tax areas close to where you are. It’s something I use all the time to show clients about lot lines when I’m showing them raw land.
Considering the neighboring house’s neglected condition and the city’s previous notices, purchasing the lot and demolishing the house yourself could be a beneficial decision. Start by confirming ownership through local property records and consulting with city authorities about any pending demolition plans or requirements. If you proceed, obtain necessary demolition permits and consider hiring licensed contractors for the demolition work, adhering to local regulations and environmental considerations. Factor in the costs of acquisition, demolition, and potential future use of the cleared lot. Seeking advice from a real estate attorney or property specialist can help navigate legal complexities and ensure a smooth process for acquiring and developing the property to enhance your neighborhood’s appeal and potentially increase your property’s value.
Check with your local county assessor’s office or use online property search tools to find detailed information about the property’s ownership history and any outstanding taxes or liens.
This can sometimes lead you to the current owner or reveal if the city has taken over the property due to unpaid taxes.
To find out who owns a property, utilize online property records through county or municipal databases. Visit the official website of the county assessor’s office or property appraiser’s office and search using the property address
To determine property ownership, start by checking online property records available through county assessors or recorder of deeds offices. These databases, accessible via many counties or municipalities, allow searches by property address or owner’s name if known, providing detailed ownership information.
You can usually Google the county property appraiser/accessor website and search by address if all you’re looking for is a name. The owner’s name and, frequently, a mailing address (which might or might not be the same address) should then be displayed.
You might be able to find out more by just giving the assessor’s office a call. Unpaid taxes could result from a deteriorating structure and a deceased owner. If so, their office may be able to provide it to you.