Information on buying abandoned property in my neighborhood.

[DaveG]

Does anybody know how to go about this? I have the address, researched the deed and the tax record. What should my next move be? It is owned by a citizen who moved out of town.

[Oladybug]

You say the owner has moved out of town; have you simply tried to contact him/her? If the owner is delinquent in real estate taxes, you could start the sheriff's sale process, but, last I heard, you have to invest $800 to start the proceedings. See Philadelphia Sheriff's Office.

[daveydoo]

You're not going to get a whole lotta help from the Sheriff's Office website. Naked Philly did a good job last year summing up the sheriff sale process:

Philadelphia Claims it Wants to Increase Number of Sheriff Sales. Let’s Help! | NakedPhilly

[thesomersteam]

Locate the owner of the property and make an offer (do a search for address, send a letter, ask neighbors, other due diligence to track the owner down)

We get calls on this type of question all the time. If the owner is unreachable, then focus on properties that are for sale. Or keep trying this strategy for run-down, distressed properties. Also, keep an eye out for Sherrif Sales. If there is a mortgage on the property, then keep an eye out for Sherrif Sale notices. And of course keep an eye out on the MLS.

I have picked up several distressed properties this year as an investor - the time is ripe.

[EmilyJoseph]

There are lots of good properties available around you. Just need to take a look at them. Real estate properties can help you.