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Hi, hoping some people on this board might be able to help with this. We moved into our house about 5 years ago, and a few days after we moved in, the family in the house across the street moved out. They bought the house in 2006 at a price that was way too high, and I guess were not able to hold the mortgage.
The house has been vacant since then (5 years now) and is starting to fall into disrepair. Myself and a few other neighbors are trying to figure out what's going on with it. Some websites have listed the house as in pre-foreclosure for the last 3 or 4 years. How can it be in pre-foreclosure for this long? I think that as the house sits, it is becoming more and more dilapidated, to the point where I can't see how a bank, or anyone would be able to ever sell it? I've heard there may be serious problems with the foundation. The utility companies have removed all cables to the house long ago.
Any idea of what will likely happen to this house? Does anyone have any ideas of how to get more information about the status of the property?
Could you check with your county tax office to see who currently owns the property? It could be the bank, a mortgage company, or maybe the people who once lived there. Anyway, there should at least be an address.
I think that as the house sits, it is becoming more and more dilapidated, to the point where I can't see how a bank, or anyone would be able to ever sell it?
Bank doesn't care. Government insures the loans. So if it had a mortgage for $100k and sells for full price as a nice house at $100k the bank gets their money. If it sells for $50k the government kicks in $50k and the bank gets their money. The banks always win.
Hi, hoping some people on this board might be able to help with this. We moved into our house about 5 years ago, and a few days after we moved in, the family in the house across the street moved out. They bought the house in 2006 at a price that was way too high, and I guess were not able to hold the mortgage.
The house has been vacant since then (5 years now) and is starting to fall into disrepair. Myself and a few other neighbors are trying to figure out what's going on with it. Some websites have listed the house as in pre-foreclosure for the last 3 or 4 years. How can it be in pre-foreclosure for this long? I think that as the house sits, it is becoming more and more dilapidated, to the point where I can't see how a bank, or anyone would be able to ever sell it? I've heard there may be serious problems with the foundation. The utility companies have removed all cables to the house long ago.
Any idea of what will likely happen to this house? Does anyone have any ideas of how to get more information about the status of the property?
Thanks!
H
I investigated the same thing - a vacant house not only looking terrible aesthetically, but also physically showing signs of decrepit-ness.
I did this all online. First I went to the tax record to find the owner of record. Then I went to the county clerk and searched for court cases with the owner's name. I found what I needed to know. The house had been foreclosed in February, but the owner had filed for bankruptcy in April putting the responsibility of the house's care into limbo. As well, the judge had delayed the case until this past September. And it's been delayed again.
I went to the county clerk's office and they found a lis pendens for the property. She says there is a lien on it. I still don't understand what this means, but there was a contact number for an attorney that the judge assigned to be a referee for the case. She said I could call this person and they would answer any questions I have about the property. Does anyone know if they are legally obligated to tell me anything related to this? I imagine that if I call asking about the case, they are just going to tell me that it is all confidential, etc.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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If it's become a local nuisance, such as attracting rats, kids vandalizing, or druggies shooting up in the yard, contact the city and report it. They can issue an order for the bank to clean it up and secure it, or will do it themselves and bill the bank.
Unless you have a valid cause, such as what Hemlock140 wrote, there's not much you can learn about the house except for what is considered public, which, frankly, isn't much. Some court documents are out in full view for anyone to see while others require a true just cause for access.
Your next step it seems is to answer the question of why you are seeking information ... is it out of concern for what will be happening to the property to know how it will effect your property values or is it that you and your neighbors want to become proactive in some way to light a fire under someone to turn the eyesore or hazard into a marketable property?
Does anyone know if they are legally obligated to tell me anything related to this? I imagine that if I call asking about the case, they are just going to tell me that it is all confidential, etc.
Legally, no, a lawyer doesn't even have to take your call. You could offer to pay them $300 an hour to speak to you, but I doubt they will.
Any documents that will tell you what is happening with this house will be public record and recorded at the registry of deeds in your county/state, etc. Its free to view this information at the registry/court house. Court cases around this house are also free to view.
PS. Sometimes counties charge a fee to view or save online and a fee to copy per page in person.
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