How do I legally acquire a home that has been abandoned?
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How do I legally acquire a home that has been abandoned?
There is a home in my neighborhood that has been vacant for years and the county has
been posting notices on it about maintenance issues. Adverse possession sounds too risky to try to attempt and the owner on record has moved several times in the past few years and owns several
Asked on November 3, 2016 under Real Estate Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 7 years ago | Contributor
There is no legal way to take over an abandoned property except by 1) adverse possession; or 2) purchasing it at a sheriff's sale IF it is foreclosed on by a lender, or taken over by by the city or county for unpaid taxes. Otherwise, all you can do is contact the owner and make an offer on it.
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