How can I buy an abandoned property?
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How can I buy an abandoned property?
The owner was arrested and has been
there over 6 months. I am really
interested in buying that home what can
I do? Nobody is taking care of it.
Asked on February 7, 2018 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 6 years ago | Contributor
You can't buy it unless the owner is willing to sell it to you: ignoring property or being in jail does not take away his ownership. You can offer to buy it from him, but he decides whether to sell it, and at what price.
If he defaults on a mortgage and the bank forecloses, you can try to buy it from the bank.
If he fails to pay taxes and the government takes it over, you can offer to buy it from the government.
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