How to acquire abandoned real estate?
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How to acquire abandoned real estate?
There is abandoned property/house which abuts my property. The house is falling
down and is an eyesore and fire/crime hazard. I would like to acquire this property in order to tear down the house and add the property to mine. Is there a way to do this?
Asked on October 6, 2018 under Real Estate Law, New Mexico
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
The only options are:
1) Locate the owners (you may be able to do so through the county clerk's office, by looking up the deed) and buying it from them.
2) If it was foreclosed by a bank (e.g. for nonpayment of mortgage), find the bank and offer to buy it.
3) If the town or county seized it for unpaid taxes, buy it from them.
Those are the only options. Even if it is run down and "abandoned," it still belongs to someone, and you can't simply take another's property--you have to buy it.
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