Notifying Owner Of Tax Property
I bought a vacant lot at tax sale 2 wks. ago, and sent the required letter to the owner, and it was returned un-opened. Marked "no such address". The county sends the tax notices to a vacant lot. Of course the owner does not respond. The notice never reaches him. The county says it is the address to owner gave when he bought the property. They say it is the only address they have on him. However, I did a search, and found the owner apparently lives a block from the lot. Should I send a letter to him there, or just go by what the county says to do, which is send a letter to the address he gave? He should know he owes taxes, and hasn't paid. Also, the tax sale was printed for 3 wks. in the paper. Even if I send him a letter to real address, he may already know he has not paid taxes, and not care. The lot has weeds 4 ft. tall, and is not maintained. He may not live one block away, but he did at one time, so he still may. Should I do everything possible to find him, or just do what is required? Thanks in advance. Rick
Rick--(MO)----------------
I think there are two steps here: consult your conscience about this.
Two: consult an ethical real estate attorney about it.
Good Investing****************Ron Starr************
Indicator,
As an investor myself I will only do what is required by law in this case.
My reason for this is the fact that the property owner knows that not paying tax they will face consequences!
You must consider what is most appropriate for you as an investor!
Advice is great, but you must take all advice with a grain of salt and utilize advice according to you personality, experience, morals and beliefs.
This is very much an ethics issue here.
I would certainly attempt to contact the owner. Whatever notice you are required to give, I would give that and accompany the letter with a nice, friendly letter and send it certified.
Before anything I would contact an attorney to make sure you are not doing anything illegal or opening yourself up to liability.