I accidentally bought another house. It was at an online auction. 23 seconds left and I thought what the hell. So I bid. Clock reset to two minutes and I scrolled to another tab. Then I got the text saying I won.

Been playing back and forth with the lender on this house. They kept raising the price (buy bidding) but this time they dropped it and I got it.

Now for the question:

Owners filed BK and the mortgage company got the house back. I am buying it from the mortgage company.

The owners are still in the house.

I know that I can file for eviction, which will probably have to happen.

What have people done in this situation otherwise? I will not do cash for keys. They didn't pay the mortgage so they surely will not pay me rent. Besides it is too close to my house to rent it to anyone other than my kid.

Figured I would have to wait until I closed on it but then the 30 days starts after I file. Can I file before, even though it is not in my name?

Would drafting a letter simply stating for them to get out be better? Worded in a kinder way.

This is new to me so any guidance besides don't buy it would be greatly appreciated.

Cash for keys? And be really friendly with your approach. Maybe "stalk" them so you can chat directly. They may be reluctant to answer the door or a letter.

Some people in this predicament feel victimized, might consider you the reason (you don't really know each other and did not do this to them) and they may want to retaliate against you and damage/sabotage the place on the way out.

5 or 10k could be a bargain compared to an extreme alternative.

6x6 thank you

Every bank owned house I bought in the hood was occupied with someone .... legally or illegally. Always went to an eviction. But then again ... this is the hood.

Why will you not do cash for keys? That's probably the fastest, easiest way to get them out, and you can make it conditional on the house remaining in it's present condition. That way if they decide to pour concrete down the drains to "stick it to the man"... no payout.

People respond to two kinds of motivation: carrots and sticks.

The carrot = cash for keys. A positive outcome. Former owners have incentive to do the right thing and get a reward.

The stick = eviction. Former owners get PO'd that you "stole their house" and take revenge.

Is this like being accidentally pregnant? lol!

I offered two squatters late last year cash for keys - $1,200 each. I still have two sets of squatters today. I racked up about $4,700 legal bill plus had to pay taxes and insurance on the places. That said, I bought one house for $6,400 so I am still ahead. Yesterday was the last day for them to re-appeal so they should be out in about three more weeks. These were not former owners so you might have an even rougher ride ahead. $1,200 wasn't that magic number - plus consider the damage that these two folks have implemented?

ZERO: Congrats on yet another building!

I also like Ken's approach. Once we bought a foreclosure, we were not given the chance to offer cash for keys, the bank got them out; yours won't? Or maybe they didn't...

We read about the foreclosure in the paper and went to speak to the owners, who also lived nearby. We hoped to buy the house from them before it hit the court steps and save their credit. Since they were divorcing, they couldn't agree on anything; we were out of luck.

Once it hit the court steps, no one had bid on it so I went to the mortgage company and bought it from them on the spot with a check. I don't know how they got the owners out; we got no keys. We hired a locksmith to open the house, change the locks and get keys.

The kicker, and why I like Ken's idea, is that before leaving, the owners had taken paint and thrown it on the ceiling, beautiful wood buffet and wood floors. Oh, and the kids were allowed to use the walls as their canvas with handprints full of paint and more.

Bank has not and will not remove them. Was aware of this before I bid.

Not only are they still there, they mowed the grass today. Nothing seems to have been moved at all. I live about half a mile from the place so a little shy about showing up as they can see my truck from their used to be home.

I looked them up. He was filed on for mortgage foreclosure in 2019 and it was finalized last month. Around the same timeframe he has d a small claims judgement for just under a grand from a local credit union.

Stopped a couple times for no license. Then at the end of January of last year he got popped for possession of a narcotic drug. That is still pending. He isn't in the local jail.

FB allowed me a little insight into his life. He seems a bit wired. His GF has the same drug case on the same day, still pending. Couple seatbelt hits and whole lot of evictions and small claims including what I believe to be a car repo about a decade ago.

Again this place will most likely be flipped for a little cash. Would love the youngest to live there but he doesn't want to move from his cozy apartment and have to pay real money for an entire house.

With the added info, little as it is, would people still suggest a cold call? Last thing I need is to catch a case or get trespassed on a property I will own shortly.

The only time I have offered cash is when it still has a redemption period, then I offer cash to sign the quitclaim deed. That way I don't have to wait for the redemption period to end.

As Ken said, most times they are embarrassed to have lost the house and if you treat them with respect they will vacate. I have had instances where they wanted 3 months to move and I had to negotiate down to 30 days but usually they tell you they will be out in a couple of weeks and they usually make it. I do make them give me a specific date though so there's no questions later. Texas is landlord friendly so it's really not a big deal if I have to file.

Well I wired the earnest money today so things are progressing.

Talked to my realtor and asked him to do a BPO for me. Just to see what he thinks from the limited data we have.

The ex-owners are still there. Although I am not a shy person I am leaning towards letting this slide until I have closed.

Normally I don't care what people think about me but this is literally half a mile from my house. I can see part of the place from my living room. I see no need to possibly stir the hornet's nest. All the guy needs to do is see me mowing or pulling into my place.

With the little bit I gathered from his FB page he is a hot head. Then the pending court case with him and his SO about narcotics is another thing.

Yeah I was surprised as well.

My bid was 4k less than the last time when I didn't win.

Well I decided to send a letter to the house. Went out yesterday so they should get it Monday.

Tried to explain that I know the bank wasn't communicating so I wanted to. Made sure that I included that the property was not purchased as a rental.

Gave them the option to call, text or snail mail me back. Probably should have included an email but I didn't.

Was as nice as I could be without seeming like a pushover. I did say that I hoped we could discuss the next steps but if not I would be forced to file eviction and neither of us would benefit from that.

Letter possibly paid off.

Got a text from the last owner. Basically he told me his life story and how he lost the house thru nasty divorce, losing job, filing BK on his own, etc.

He was thankful that I sent the letter. He thought that a family member was buying the house. Then last Friday he found out otherwise.

Also said he is not the type to damage things and doesn't blame me. Realizes the fault is his.

We are going to talk a little about it today.

Also the deed has been fully executed by the seller. So they will send it to the servicer hopefully soon.

Well not a good update.

Ex-owner didn't contact me so I reached out.

Finally got a reply late in the day, right before he went to work. Having played the game I honestly feel that I am getting the run around.

I instantly replied back to him asking of he could talk voice. Crickets. Then I responded that I would text my thoughts if we couldn't chat voice. Still nada. So I sent a small chapter of a larger book explaining what I thought was going to happen. Said I didn't want to hurt his already bad situation by filing eviction but that I needed us to communicate and see what we could work out.

He mentioned earlier that he would pay me rent to stay. Well I do not see that as a good thing. If I let him pay then he gets 30 days. Then he stops paying and I have to evict which gives him another 30 days. I didn't buy the place to rent it out. Besides the rents I would need to charge for the price I paid would be way out there.

Anyhow, I had no response from him then his GF said he forgot his phone at the house but she would give it to him when she saw him on break.

Drove by the place, she was outside running a hose in the very back yard. His vehicle is not there. No contact.

I still do not have legal possession of the property but it looks as if I will just file when I do get it.

He talked the talk but he is not following thru. Sounds like every deadbeat tenant I have had in the past. Trying to buy time. I have seen no clues that would lead me to believe they are packing up either.

Probably not cheap enough if he actually decides to trash the place. Good thing I am cheap labor I guess.

I might actually turn it over to my eviction attorney. Was just going to do it myself as it is not in the business name. You might be right tho that he will respond better with an attorney.

The big test will be if he starts actively packing and moving stuff this weekend. I am not counting on it, but it would show an ounce of good faith.

Still waiting on the documents to be sent to the servicer so I actually do not own the place yet.

Still no new contact with the ex-owners.

Son came over yesterday and saw they had started putting out Halloween decorations and it looked like the lady was planting flowers.

That's what my thoughts are.

Driving back mid-morning today from an auction I got a text from him on a different number. Said he crunched his phone at work. Blah blah.

He asked for 30 days. The boss granted it. I am not that happy about it as he is still talking out the wrong side of his body.

Looks as if my youngest is interested in the place tho. So much for making money on a flip. If he does take it I will be father of the month for gifting equity to both my kids for their first houses.

I have an email in to my eviction lawyer to see what he will charge since it is just one court date. I will have all that ready. I told the deadbeat that I reserve the right to change my mind if I feel the deal is not being followed thru justly.

He says they have started packing. Just seems odd that they are setting up decorations.

So I told the ex-owners that if we didn't communicate the deal was off and I would move forward with eviction.

That got a response from them both. I asked a couple questions about the house. He was very lengthy on his answers.

I am headed to the credit union to wire the money for the place this morning. Docu-Sign will be this afternoon.

After that I guess I own the place. I would like to be able to get in there to get a general idea of what I am up against. Not sure if they will go for it or if I should even try.

Okay, I know I am being played now. He texted and said he would contact me on his lunch break last night. Nothing.

Sent a text this morning saying I needed to get in to take pictures for the insurance company. Nothing.

Then he finally responds with a short novel about why he didn't contact me before.

I said I can be there in under 45 minutes. Nothing. I call, goes to VM which is full. Tried again, same thing. Send a text saying he needs to answer the phone so we can sort this out.

He responds with his girlfriend tested twice for covid this morning. Ugg. I said I am ok with that. I need to get the pictures and do a fast walk thru. Tried calling again and nothing.

Guess I am letting it go. I will file on them the minute I know I can.

Does anybody know if I can just show the paperwork where I have purchased the place or does it all have to be recorded first before I can file for eviction?

I know it is judge dependent but curious how it has happened before.

Well the ex-owners have a big trailer in the drive now. Moved in there a couple days ago.

Hopefully they are actually going to be out by the 15th of this month.

I still doubt it happens, but waiting is toughest of all.

My attorney will charge me $400 for this eviction. I can do it myself for less but I am lazy so I will most likely just pay him to do it.

Would be fantastic if I didn't need to, but again I am not holding my breath on this.