How do I find out whether a property has been foreclosed or abandoned?
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How do I find out whether a property has been foreclosed or abandoned?
Asked on July 25, 2011 Arkansas
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
Officially, you would contact your county records department (e.g. county clerk's office); since actual foreclosure involves a change in ownership, it has to be recorded. You may even be able to determine this online.
If the property has not actually been foreclosed yet, but is simply in default on its mortgages or taxes, there is no change in ownership. You could contact your municipal clerk's office to see if the property is in arrears on taxes, but they would not have information about mortgage default, since banks don't have to report that to the towns.
Unofficially, if you know any realtors in town, ask them; they usually have information about forceclosures, about abandoned property, etc.
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