I dont have too many details just yet, but from what I’ve been told, there is a family member squatting there and the owner is selling the house to not have to deal with it.
Sorry if I’m leaving key info out. Please let me know what else I would need to obtain and what we can do after we officially own the house.
Location: posted in the title
Comments
definitely get a real estate attorney involved before anything is signed. in california, getting a squatter out isn’t as simple as “we own it now, leave”, you’ll likely need to go through formal eviction, which can take months. don’t assume ownership means instant control.
You would need to start the eviction process.
Also be prepared to repair serious damage to the home if they decide to trash it on the way out.
They are probably not a squatter (legally speaking) but it doesn’t matter. You have to give them written 60-day “notice to vacate” and then take them to court (after the 60 days). Only a sheriff with a court order can remove them. You cannot touch their belongings, or change the locks, or turn off the utilities. You want a lawyer for the eviction because if they are motivated, they can make it take months and months.
Don’t buy someone else’s problems. Goes for cars, homes, etc…
This is California, don’t do it, it will take you years to actually evict and will cost a fortune, don’t bother, market is softening even in coastal areas, you’ll have plenty of options
As long as you understand that it may be trashed inside; that it may take a year to remove the squatters without the typical eviction moratorium; that it may take longer if an eviction moratorium is in place and that you will be spending several grand in attorney fees; adjust your price accordingly and go for it.
How big a discount are we talking about? There is a cash for keys you can offer.. a neighbor a block away from us was a meth addict (grand daughter of the deceased)..
They gave her $10k cash to leave and worked..
Everyone has already posted the legal process to evict, but there Is another way to do it – legally.
You can offer them cash as an inducement to leave and skip the eviction process. There are people in highly populated areas that specialize in this service. Typically they work for banks, but you should be able to look someone up. If it works, it will likely save you time and money compared to the eviction process.