What to do if we can’t find the owner/seller of property we are buying via a contract for deed?

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What to do if we can’t find the owner/seller of property we are buying via a contract for deed?

We bought 32 acres in TX from a real estate agent who also owned the property. He used a contract for deed but didn’t file it with the county. We haven’t been able to find him for the past year so we can pay him the monthly payments that are due. What can we do about this?

Asked on August 5, 2011 Texas

Answers:

Richard Weaver / The Weaver Law Firm

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

I am courious to learn more about your situation. In a contract for deed, you clearly do not have title to the property. The requirements for a contract for deed are many as well as the responsibilities for the seller. How long have you been under contract? What percentage have you paid off? How is it that you do not know where the seller is? If the person is a licensed real estate agent, we can search the Texas Real Estate Commission for his information, if any. Visit www.WeaverLawyers.com for futher real estate information or call us at 713-572-4900.

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

The problem seems to be that you cannot find the seller of the property you bought to make payments to him though personal delivery, U.S. mail, or wire transfer. I am surprised that you have not been contacted by him for payments that have not been made.

Before making any payments to him, you should make sure that you are on legal title to the property that you bought form this real estate agent. Once confirmed you are on legal title to this property, the best way to find him to make contact and pay the monthly payments is to go online through the internet through the state of Texas' Department of Real Estate to locate this real estate agent or contact Texas' Department of Real Estate (I assume he is a licensed Texas real estate agent). You should then get a locate on him with his affiliated brokerage to make contact with him.

Another option is to do an online search for this real estate agent for address location on the internet. If you cannot get a locate on this suggestion, there are services on the internet that you pay a fee for them to do a locate for an individual. Cost is around $25.00 to $30.00 typically.

Good luck.


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