Since I've recently sold a property, I'm looking for the next project. I decided to check out a few properties coming up for a tax auction.

I pulled up to the property and the yard looked like it hasn't been cut in years. A total mess that made just walking up to the front door an adventure in itself. I walked the perimeter and verified there was no electric meter, meaning the power to the property was turned off.

After peeking in the windows, it appeared that there were belongings in there that had been picked through. It looked like most properties that I've gotten back after an eviction. I could only look in the windows on two sides of the property because the vegetation was completely overgrown. I knocked on the front door and never heard any rustling of any kind from inside.

I walked around back and noticed the window above the kitchen sink was open, but I didn't feel comfortable going in through a window. I checked the back door and it didn't have a latch on it. I pushed it open about three inches and it stopped. It looked like somebody had put a table in front of the door. I'm skinny, so I just pushed it open a bit more and squeezed in.

I walked the interior, looking for major structural defects, all while trying to be stealthy. I walked through the kitchen and into the living room where there was an empty twin sized mattress. It didn't look like anyone had been sleeping here, so I'm not too concerned.

I walk around the corner and into the hallway and about soiled myself. There was a man laying in the bed in one of the bedrooms. He was laying in an odd manner where one of his legs were straight out, almost looked like it could be rigor mortis. He never moved or acknowledged my presence, but I didn't stick around long enough to investigate. I made a bee line straight to the door and never looked back.

I'm hoping that it was just a druggie strung out, but I'll never know. I think I'm done with tax sales. . .

This is a first for me. What kind of interesting things have you all ran into?

That is an opportunity. I would buy that in a second. We had a similar experience when I first started doing this. We went into a house that appeared to be abandoned. There was a portion of it off to the side that had a caved in and rotten roof. The house was filled up with what appeared to be yard sale clutter and tons of artificial flowers. I distinctly remember the artificial flowers. I thought it was very odd that the electricity was still on because it was in such a bad shape. Well, we walked upstairs and there was a guy sleeping in a bed. It had to be a junkie or some thing. No way anybody was living in that house.

That is an opportunity. I would buy that in a second. We had a similar experience when I first started doing this. We went into a house that appeared to be abandoned. There was a portion of it off to the side that had a caved in and rotten roof. The house was filled up with what appeared to be yard sale clutter and tons of artificial flowers. I distinctly remember the artificial flowers. I thought it was very odd that the electricity was still on because it was in such a bad shape. Well, we walked upstairs and there was a guy sleeping in a bed. It had to be a junkie or some thing. No way anybody was living in that house.

Fred,

I was investigating a vacant, trashed house, turned the corner and saw a BARE LEG coming out of the bedroom door. Dead body?

Upon closer inspection it was an artificial limb left by the previous occupant.

Back in the days of Polaroid pics a nasty move out left their collection of self made wanna be pron. SHE moved into a house next to 2 of my rentals so I see her on her porch often. I wave politely. Wonder if she has any idea what they left behind...

Lost a paying res to a drug bust. Found a gun hidden behind some paneling. Police said it was mine to keep. I traded it for a new phone.

BRAD

Rigor should set in within 2-6 hours of death (although sooner, or never), and in the summertime, should probably pass within a day (it lasts longer in cold weather). So, in other words, unless he had died shortly before your arrival, it was more likely to be someone sleeping weird. But you might phone in a welfare check to 911. :P