Calling all Lawyers...Or Abandoned Property Experts...

eich82 · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 860 City: MTP

I just bought a house out out of a tax sale, and the property was abandoned (probably an old couple that died, or went to a home) and hasn't been lived in for 4 years. My issue is that there is a ton of stuff in the house. Normally under these circumstances, I wait 30 days, then throw it all away. However, this stuff is in pretty good condition and there are some things that have value like a small amount of jewelry and furniture.

The real question is though, there was also a camper and a fishing boat that were also left on the property. This is what my question is. According to the people I've talked to that ran the tax sale, all abandoned property was forfeited on March 31, which was the day the foreclosure was finalized. So what I'm getting at is what do I have to do to get a title to the camper and boat so I can sell them? I imagine it may vary state to state, but I was hoping someone could give me an idea at least. If it's too much of a headache I may just take it to a salvage yard for the scrap metal. Thanks in advance!

RampageWake · Posted: Jul 15, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject:

I'd sell them for cheap w/o titles unless they are really valuable. In Texas, however, there is a redemption period where the previous owners can still buy back the house for up to 6 months (if it was a homestead), not sure about the laws in your state.

eich82 · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 860 City: MTP

I'm not worried about the house. I have a clear title and the owner has no recourse. I bought the property directly from the state. How it works here is the county/state forecloses on the homeowner, then they have a redemption period. At the end of that, the property is then owned by the state and they auction the property off. The camper is pretty much worthless, but I bet I could get 500 bucks for it. The boat isn't great, it's your typical Lund 18 footer with Mercury Outboard. It's probably 15 years old or so. Just your basic fishing boat, but I gotta believe it's worth a couple thousand to someone. Can I sell it though without a title?

wolfman · Criminal Joined: 01 Apr 2006 Posts: 58

I ran into the same problem before. In Wa. you have to file for a lost title report and wait two Yrs. I didnt want to wait that long to get it off my property so I put it on Greigs list and sold it the first day. Got only a quater what it was worth though but worked for me.

eich82 · Addict Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 860 City: MTP