I got accepted an offer through auction.com (significantly below fair market value). Normally I would be happy to write a check and move forward.. This one kind of freaked me out.

Since it is a foreclosure and occupied, there is not much to see other than exterior. New roof/siding, neighbor mentioned that it was rehabbed in 2015. It is a nice section of the town, all houses around are well kept. This one stands out, all the doors and window frames are brush stroked (not completely painted) with bloody red color over white trim. Immediately it reminded me the resemblance of 1st Passover.

My cleaning/paint guy is from Caribbean and he knows people who practice witchcraft. The owner on record happens to have a distinct African/Caribbean last name (and first name).

Should I walk away? What would you do? NE probably will laugh at me for asking this..

No, don't walk away.

I lived in the Caribbean for a while, so I have an idea of what you are seeing.Also, there are Many houses in Miami like this.

Many people from that area and from Africa, especially if they or their ancestors lived in the Caribbean area, have strong religious beliefs. (no, they're not all voodoo). Among their strong beliefs, are that bright colors painted around their doors and windows keep evil spirits out. Weather this came down from biblical times, I have no idea, but it would not surprise me.

If it is their belief, fine.

As to the way it's painted affecting your decision, speaking for myself, I would not worry about it.

Some people have a cross hung in their house. Some use paint

Richard is right: Christians hang crosses and Catholics hang pictures of the crucified Christ and no one bats an eye. The Jews hang an ornament on their doorframes (the mezuzah.)

I'm sure other religions have other symbols.

The part of this that gives me pause- property is occupied. If it’s a tenant, then no worries, just deal as with all tenants. If it’s the owner who was foreclosed upon, that might be a battle. Some of those battles have taken years to resolve...

The red paint, if it’s tenant occupied, well, if it were me, I’d just get some more red paint, paint it properly, if the paint goes well enough with the house. And, I am sure I would ask the tenant if any special considerations need to be taken when painting.

My daughter’s house has sticks on the front and back doors, held with bright red ribbon, inside the house, additional red ribbons are tied at various places. Each family member has a red ribbon tied around their ankle. The special consideration that is very important in Hmong religion- if the ribbons are to be taken off, they must not be cut to remove. The knot is loosened to slip the ribbon off, or untied. If the red is important to their religion, they will appreciate that consideration was given.

The part of this that gives me pause- property is occupied. If it’s a tenant, then no worries, just deal as with all tenants. If it’s the owner who was foreclosed upon, that might be a battle. Some of those battles have taken years to resolve...

The red paint, if it’s tenant occupied, well, if it were me, I’d just get some more red paint, paint it properly, if the paint goes well enough with the house. And, I am sure I would ask the tenant if any special considerations need to be taken when painting.

My daughter’s house has sticks on the front and back doors, held with bright red ribbon, inside the house, additional red ribbons are tied at various places. Each family member has a red ribbon tied around their ankle. The special consideration that is very important in Hmong religion- if the ribbons are to be taken off, they must not be cut to remove. The knot is loosened to slip the ribbon off, or untied. If the red is important to their religion, they will appreciate that consideration was given.

2nd factor is that my closing attorney won't be able to run a title search quick.

Never assume, but is there a way to do a quick online title search by myself? I checked the deed situation, the bank took it back.. didn't see anything else.

Since the owner had a mortgage on the property, I would image that her closing attorney has gone through the title search to make sure nothing crazy before that..

Indeed, you could just use sage. You could even ask a Catholic priest to bless the house and say prayers with him, and then give a tax-deductible donation for your Schedule A.

Ken, readers on another RE forum watched with great interest as a seasoned investor told the contemporaneous tale of getting someone who felt they had a claim on the property purchased as a foreclosure. I believe it took five years! People would check in from time to time asking him how the next court case and the next was going. In a different state, but still. Miserable to read....other posters shared some similar experiences, experiences in that thread, though no one else had an ordeal nearly nearly as long.

First, know your state and local laws regarding foreclosures.

2. Do a title search, somehow.

3. Compare the two. Anything on the title that would survive a foreclosure? Make sure that is addressed BEFORE you close and pay.

4. Know your eviction laws in your area.

I would handle it like any other deal.... and tell them you will give them the boogey man curse if they don't leave immediately and clean the house from top to bottom, lol.

Elliot,

Buy and move forward.

Locally we can ask the court for a Writ of Assistance for the sheriff to do a lock out.

Market it as "Some say it's haunted but we have not seen any ghosts". A local restaraunt uses that in their ads! Then charge extra. Some people LOVE that.

Me? I believe in the one true living God who grants mercy to those who believe. He only requires our faith and nothing else. I don't put ANY credence in trinkets, paint, statues, or any man made item.

I DO like Bit's idea...dab yellow paint on the doorframe and tell them YOUR God os now in charge of this house.

As long as they are sacrificing goats in the living room you are good to go.... True story that this did happen in a garden apt complex. A friend of a friend is the manager and had to deal with it as I was told.

John

oops! I meant as long as they are NOT sacrificing goats you are good to go.

JohnnyC

Interestingly enough, sacrificing animals is protected in my city. Hmong culture uses animal sacrifice as part of their ceremonies. The animal is slaughtered in the garage usually. And day ahead of the ceremony, plastic sheeting ( think ginormous sheets press and seal plastic wrap) is laid over all flooring surfaces.

Haven’t seen a goat used though. Beef, pig, chickens, yes.

Last time I bought a foreclosed one from same site, my attorney filed something called commercial eviction, owner/tenant figured that their days are numbered and signed a lease with us to become our tenants.

Keep in mind, you don’t even KNOW why the red paint is there. If you go through with the purchase and want the red paint gone, I recommend you simply use your usual procedures to tell the tenant you will be painting the trim. Then change it as you see fit. DO NOT do the very blatant violation of Fair Housing laws and tell them your god is now in charge.

What I mentioned in my responses was strictly what I would do. And I said as much in my responses. Imposing your religious views ( in a religious POWER play) on tenants might be a good way to help some lawyer owner your property.

And, very cute grand babies!

The Hmong people helped the US in the war in Cambodia. Shhhhhh!! ! Supposedly the US was never involved in a war in Cambodia. They helped us in exchange that we would help them get out if we didn’t win the war. The word Hmong translates as free people. They do not have their own country. In the US, they mostly settled in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and California.

Sense of humor anyone?

Sense of humor anyone?

Elliot, auction. Com must be trying to move a bunch of properties. I got an email to make a offer on a place that they had up 5 or more times. They are looking for 45 to 50k I bid 15.it has a title that most certainly won't clear.

If you're concerned about it, it's a problem. There are too many houses available or soon to be available to waste your time buying a house that you have any doubts about.