Newbie Needs Help!

Comments(3)

• 
  patrecejames5th October, 2004

  check the tax records at the courthouse. I think knocking is a pretty good idea. My .02 cents
  [addsig]

• 
  heather20046th October, 2004

  To locate the owner on record, I check the tax assessors office in the town in which the property is located. If you're in a larger city/town, the records can also be found online at the tax assessors office website. Try running a yahoo search for the name of the city/town and tax assessor. It should bring you to the online website. If they don't have a website or a function to to search the assessor's database online, you'll have to hoof it down to the assessor's office. Once there, most offices have a computer, where you can just type in the address yourself - if you print, they'll charge you for the service. Otherwise, just speak to someone in the office for help.
  
  Also, you can check the county's registry of deeds and see if they have an online database. Same deal, yahoo the county name and registry of deeds. If their records are online, you should be able to do a document search with the address, which would bring up the mortgage and any complaints/foreclosure notices- which would all have the owner's name listed.
  
  Knocking on the door is usually the best method of contact (although it takes some brass.) I like mailing first, then calling. Puts the idea in their mind. Even if you get a no answer though, I would keep mailing every 4-6 months. Situations change and if you're persistent you'll get your property. I would just write something like: "Wanted to let you know that the offer is still on the table... etc."
  
  Good Luck!

• 
  nickb6th October, 2004

  Thanks for the tips. I also found that my local library system has access to a "Reference USA" which is an AWESOME database of names addresses and phones of residential and business.
  
  Again thanks! :-D