Zillow Home foreclosures

[Another.hole]

Anybody use Zillo to locate old homes (Dig Sites) in foreclosure? I compiled a list of mid 1920s and 30s homes that are vacant/abandoned. I'm thinking of diggn'm till somebody says leave.

Any thoughts?

 

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[BigWaveDave]

let me know how many you hit till you get busted, got a list myself here in Ft. Myers, but haven't yet established the testicular fortitude to hit them. Easier w/ my confidence and charm () to ask homeowners straight up

 

[Jeremy S]

Those homes are owned by a bank, but often have a realtor who is in charge of selling them.

If the place looks abandoned and is overgrown, you could probably work out an easy deal with the realtor to allow you to detect if you will pick up garbage and weed eat / mow the grass (mowing the grass would make it easier to detect!). I obtained permission to hunt an old property just by offering to pick up garbage. The owner of the company selling the property seemed to like my offer and even shook on it. It took me 20 minutes to fill my garbage bags and clean the place up and I've hunted the place almost a dozen times now. Seemed like a good deal to me and in the long run I think it will open the door for more properties that this guy manages.

Just an FYI, often neighbors will be watching the "abandoned house next door" and will call the police when they see some random guy poking around the property. Lots of copper thieves and vandals lurking about ready to destroy an unoccupied house. A gutted house is harder to sell and will become an eyesore, often lowering the values of nearby homes (like the one owned by the old lady who is gonna call the cops on you). Understandingly the neighbors may be a bit defensive about the foreclosed property.

If you are hunting without permission you are technically trespassing. If you do so hunt at your own risk!

 

[Another.hole]

Police. I would hope its the police after reading about the concerned neighbor issue. Sometimes people in Miami dont use logic when before they react and next thing you know your looking at an angry immigrant with an imagination complex that wants to subdue you before the police can get there. I better take a dog, a gun and a fake letter from the bank ( Kidding ) I may see how it goes contacting the real estate or holding company for a couple of them and test the water.

 

[Clay Diggins]

It's illegal to detect private property without written permission of the owner. Zillow is not the owner of those properties. In most cases neither is the "bank".

Why not propose hunting peoples property while they are on vacation or at the store? Legally it's the same situation as hunting foreclosed houses. If you are going to be an opportunist you might as well take your chances wherever they come.

Is it really so difficult to understand that if it doesn't belong to you the permission of the owner needs to be obtained before taking property? One of the founding principles of this country is the right to private property. Taking what belongs to another is theft. It's that simple.

 

[gunlocators]

Those homes are owned by a bank, but often have a realtor who is in charge of selling them.

If the place looks abandoned and is overgrown, you could probably work out an easy deal with the realtor to allow you to detect if you will pick up garbage and weed eat / mow the grass (mowing the grass would make it easier to detect!). I obtained permission to hunt an old property just by offering to pick up garbage. The owner of the company selling the property seemed to like my offer and even shook on it. It took me 20 minutes to fill my garbage bags and clean the place up and I've hunted the place almost a dozen times now. Seemed like a good deal to me and in the long run I think it will open the door for more properties that this guy manages.

Just an FYI, often neighbors will be watching the "abandoned house next door" and will call the police when they see some random guy poking around the property. Lots of copper thieves and vandals lurking about ready to destroy an unoccupied house. A gutted house is harder to sell and will become an eyesore, often lowering the values of nearby homes (like the one owned by the old lady who is gonna call the cops on you). Understandingly the neighbors may be a bit defensive about the foreclosed property.

If you are hunting without permission you are technically trespassing. If you do so hunt at your own risk!

BAD BAD BAD IDEA. I hold 2 degrees in Real Estate I can tell you no matter what state you live in the Real Estate Broker is NOT authorized to make such decisions unless specifically outlined in a listing agreement. As a Special Agent of the owner he represents he has limited powers to act on behalf of the owner. Also keep in mind some states have up to a 2 year right of redemption period to defaulted party even if property sold. I would hate to be in a legal situation where a owner sues me for theft of property. Its not the real estate brokers decision and if your talking to a Sales Agent listing the property and not the Owner Broker of his firm its likely the agents license can be suspended or revoked if authorization is given without permission as well as the brokers. Best bet STAY OFF Private property if you you decided otherwise without legal permission your a common thief..............

Just My .02

 

[goldkey]

I have been looking at houses in my area with the intent of buying one. I noticed that all the foreclosure houses and non foreclosure houses for sale have a sign posted in the window of the house that says "No Trespassing...Contact realtor to get information on the property and set an appointment." I too had the idea of looking at some of them as possible places to hunt. Then I realized the red tape of talking to realtor to find the owner of the house and then getting permission. Realtors will not reveal to you who the owners are. They will convey a message to them though....maybe. Best way is to get the address and then look up the property through public records. I liked Jeremy S's idea of offering to clean up the property in trade for right to metal detect. Makes good sense and promotes good will.
Besides....there's nothing better than detecting in a nice clean "old" lawn!! Especially when you know that you have a right to be there.

 

[LM]

Is it really so difficult to understand that if it doesn't belong to you the permission of the owner needs to be obtained before taking property?

The number of 'internet lawyers' who have some sort of abstract legal theory as to why what they're doing is OK and/or people who just flat don't care is very, very large on this site. Not the majority, but meaningfully large.

Not to say I'm entirely against those who choose to traverse the minefield of life in a blissful trot, but I don't cry for them when they finally blow up.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

another.hole: I've read through all the posts to your thread. All I can say is: You've got to figure you're asking a question like this on a public family friendly forum. There are some folks here who would say you need permission to hunt public park sand-boxes, for instance. So .... what did you expect with this question? Those homes ... technically .... are never truly "abandoned", eh? I mean, some nameless faceless bank owns them, blah blah.

But put it in perspective: It would be like coming on to a forum and asking "can I go 56 mph in a 55 mph zone?" The obligatory answer we'd have to give you "no you can't. That's illegal". Ok, so here you go: "no you can't". [oh, and for the record: I do not exceed the posted speed limits either]

California was particularly hard-hit by the real-estate debacle. And we had some cities where ...... EVERY SINGLE BLOCK seemed to have a boarded up house, grass growing to knee-high, broken out windows, a for-sale sign in the yard (or maybe not), etc... And yes: some guys did exactly as you said.

 

[watercolor]

I photograph properties & homes for 10-15 realtors in my area so I can "cherry-pick" the promising
sites that may have potential. However, I would not even consider detecting one of these properties
UNLESS the agent said it was OK with the owner and they supplied owner contact information. There
have been several occasions when the "neighbor watch" have called the police and it was VERY helpful
to have the phone number of the owner.

Another consideration is that some of these properties are being sold as a result of divorce. . . and it's
best to avoid these properties all together.

When I do get permission from the owner(s), I make it a practice to send them a pic of what I find and
rarely have they ever wanted any of my finds. . . unless it was something they were sure one of their
family member's may have lost. But hey, it's their property, right? And they're doing YOU a favor by letting
you hunt their yard.

Just a few thoughts to consider. . . Happy hunting!

 

[Another.hole]

another.hole: I've read through all the posts to your thread. All I can say is: You've got to figure you're asking a question like this on a public family friendly forum. There are some folks here who would say you need permission to hunt public park sand-boxes, for instance. So .... what did you expect with this question? Those homes ... technically .... are never truly "abandoned", eh? I mean, some nameless faceless bank owns them, blah blah.

But put it in perspective: It would be like coming on to a forum and asking "can I go 56 mph in a 55 mph zone?" The obligatory answer we'd have to give you "no you can't. That's illegal". Ok, so here you go: "no you can't". [oh, and for the record: I do not exceed the posted speed limits either]

California was particularly hard-hit by the real-estate debacle. And we had some cities where ...... EVERY SINGLE BLOCK seemed to have a boarded up house, grass growing to knee-high, broken out windows, a for-sale sign in the yard (or maybe not), etc... And yes: some guys did exactly as you said.

"Boarded up or foreclosed homes"

Thats what I'm seeing here in Miami. If I took photos of where they are I think most people would be more afraid of the neighborhood that its in rather than the possible neighbor. I have dug some abandoned lots and Im usually more worried about somebody stealing my equipment (Being Mugged) rather than any possibility of a cop showing up or neighbor doing any good Samaritan work, besides. They are usually renting and will tell me I can dig their prop to for $20.00. I pretty much just threw the question out there to see if others were scouting props like this or not. I'll press on while keeping what folks have said in mind.

 

[topdogintampa]

"Boarded up or foreclosed homes"

Thats what I'm seeing here in Miami. If I took photos of where they are I think most people would be more afraid of the neighborhood that its in rather than the possible neighbor. I have dug some abandoned lots and Im usually more worried about somebody stealing my equipment (Being Mugged) rather than any possibility of a cop showing up or neighbor doing any good Samaritan work, besides. They are usually renting and will tell me I can dig their prop to for $20.00. I pretty much just threw the question out there to see if others were scouting props like this or not. I'll press on while keeping what folks have said in mind.

I would say that I agree with the issue of neighbors having a problem, but as long as I get permission straight from current lot owner than I don't have any issue making a quick swipe around to see if it may be a prospective lot. It always is in better shape when I leave and never had a complaint. I will never trespass on any given posted lot and have a good rappore with the area police so never had a problem there.

I do realize there are liabilty issues but I am bonded for $1 mil and if anyone isn't then I would encourage them to look into it any where they may be hunting. You just never know when you Indiana Jones into 30ft pit filled with priceless Megan Fox posters..(I know...I know,,, used to be Farrah Fawcett)

 

[LM]

another.hole: I've read through all the posts to your thread. All I can say is: You've got to figure you're asking a question like this on a public family friendly forum. There are some folks here who would say you need permission to hunt public park sand-boxes, for instance. So .... what did you expect with this question? Those homes ... technically .... are never truly "abandoned", eh? I mean, some nameless faceless bank owns them, blah blah.

But put it in perspective: It would be like coming on to a forum and asking "can I go 56 mph in a 55 mph zone?" The obligatory answer we'd have to give you "no you can't. That's illegal". Ok, so here you go: "no you can't". [oh, and for the record: I do not exceed the posted speed limits either]

Its not the same thing as the 56/55 technicality argument.
While the bank who owns the property may be 'nameless' and 'faceless', the person who calls teh cops on you has a name and a face.
The responding officer has a name and a face and you have a name and a face that will be published in the mugshot section of the newspaper with (Statute#) Tresspassing, Misd. printed next to it.

Old Tom here is always good to say that it's OK to do whatever you want, but old Tom here isn't going to pay your bail money.

 

[Tom_in_CA]

...

Old Tom here is always good to say that it's OK to do whatever you want, but old Tom here isn't going to pay your bail money.

"Bail money" eh? Ok, I'll bite: Do you have any examples of anyone "going to jail" for detecting the yard of an abandoned foreclosed home ?

 

[Jeremy S]

BAD BAD BAD IDEA. I hold 2 degrees in Real Estate I can tell you no matter what state you live in the Real Estate Broker is NOT authorized to make such decisions unless specifically outlined in a listing agreement. As a Special Agent of the owner he represents he has limited powers to act on behalf of the owner. Also keep in mind some states have up to a 2 year right of redemption period to defaulted party even if property sold. I would hate to be in a legal situation where a owner sues me for theft of property. Its not the real estate brokers decision and if your talking to a Sales Agent listing the property and not the Owner Broker of his firm its likely the agents license can be suspended or revoked if authorization is given without permission as well as the brokers. Best bet STAY OFF Private property if you you decided otherwise without legal permission your a common thief..............

Just My .02

In the example that I listed, the company who is selling the property that I detected also owns the property and had been leasing it until recently. I spoke directly with the owner himself who gave me permission.

I know a fellow who does not metal detect, but lived in a neighborhood where several of his neighboring houses were foreclosed on. The new financial institutions that owned them were not doing any general maintenance of the properties, simply letting them become overgrown and fall into disrepair. He contacted the realtor who in turn contacted the owner, asking if he could just mow the lawns and keep the places somewhat decent looking as they were becoming eyesores. They approved his request and to his surprise they (the owner) started paying him a fee to upkeep the lawns. These were small houses in an older part of town.

I should have revised my previous post, hunt at your own risk if you want to break the law. Never step foot on private property to hunt it without permission from the owner. Getting permission to hunt foreclosed properties can be difficult, but offering something in return (pick up garbage, lawn care, etc) may sweeten the deal just enough to get the "go ahead". The realtor wants to sell the property, the owner wants to sell it.... offering something in return for permission will help out their cause and might just get you that permission in a virgin lawn.

Ask in person as well. A faceless email or call to the representative selling the property would probably be treated like spam or any other junk mail.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

I've been to some really questionable places here in S Fla hunting. There is the concern of getting robbed, shot, whatever......
So I tend to stay outta the heeby jeeby places that gives me the willies.

Most everyone, in every neighborhood, knows the stories of any abandoned homes on their block, or next door to them, or three houses down. I know we do, in my neighborhood. We call the cops and let them handle the trespassers.
I'd be more worried about the next potential trigger happy "Zimmerman" that can't speak a word of English, popping off a cap or 5.
My elderly neighbor lady would shoot first. NO ONE walked in her yard without calling out LOUDLY to let her know they were coming.
I had to escort FPL men, into her property once, cause they were scared of her shooting them. LOL!

PPl down here just flat out crazy, some of 'em. My crowded beach, with the refreshing adult beverages, with the little umbrellas in them, a little nom noms, is about a radical, as I wanna get in hunting, down here.

 

[shawninNY]

Tom has bad habit , of offering great advice and sharing his experience! I share in his motto, of tread lightly , don't draw attention to yourself or OUR hobby!I love all these people who give the( I knew a guy scenario) that being said I'm not as brave as I used to be , you'll generally have problems from neighbors , if someone was doing something you didn't understand on your neighbors property picking things up and putting it in there pocket you'd prolly call Too! If there's a large woods or fresh clearing I'm trying!

 

[Another.hole]

We should get together sometime.

 

[Davers]

Those homes are owned by a bank, but often have a realtor who is in charge of selling them.

If the place looks abandoned and is overgrown, you could probably work out an easy deal with the realtor to allow you to detect if you will pick up garbage and weed eat / mow the grass (mowing the grass would make it easier to detect!). I obtained permission to hunt an old property just by offering to pick up garbage. The owner of the company selling the property seemed to like my offer and even shook on it. It took me 20 minutes to fill my garbage bags and clean the place up and I've hunted the place almost a dozen times now. Seemed like a good deal to me and in the long run I think it will open the door for more properties that this guy manages.

Just an FYI, often neighbors will be watching the "abandoned house next door" and will call the police when they see some random guy poking around the property. Lots of copper thieves and vandals lurking about ready to destroy an unoccupied house. A gutted house is harder to sell and will become an eyesore, often lowering the values of nearby homes (like the one owned by the old lady who is gonna call the cops on you). Understandingly the neighbors may be a bit defensive about the foreclosed property.

If you are hunting without permission you are technically trespassing. If you do so hunt at your own risk!

I usually do the same as you ( doing the clean up thing) only mowed grass once , as it was stated the " RED TAPE" o such properties makes it barley worth the time . + I usually try to talk to any neighbors to advise them on what i,m doing.

I have met some pretty nice folks but plenty of Arse Holes Too.

IMO When you think about it (without Permission ) is it really worth having to deal with the police then the court System for some Wheat Cents , A common Merc, or a 2 dollar minie ball.

To me the addiction of the hunt sometimes makes it a hard decision .

Properties Always Look better when I leave than they did before I arrived .

Oh Well
Davers

 

[centfladigger]

I do the Foreclosure home inspections here in Central Fl, the banks are just the paper pushers for these vacant house, Fannie Mae usually owns all these notes. The only people allow by the FM/banks are the inspectors and grass cutters/REO crews, for these guys to even step onto the property we have to have 2 $1 million policies, 1 Professional Liability and 1 E&O ( errors and omission) ,,even though ALL of these vacant houses have current insurance coverage by the lender. There are a lot of cases out there where the homeowner left before the foreclosure has taken place, if possible you can talk to them ...if you see the locks have been changed, either a side door or main entrance with a numeric or alpha lockbox then the bank has taken over with posted notices in front window visible from street, which in turn leads to all the dopeheads to see the house is empty and break in and steal the copper