Real Estate Weird Question Advise Sought

[Hugh R]

So recently, I've been getting a couple of calls from someone who wants to buy property in Altadena, CA that they say is recorded by the county recorder by my exact name. Actually it was left in trust to a person with my exact name. The house is in arrears by 5 years on about $6K in property taxes. They can't find the owner and are saying is it possible someone left it to me and that I didn't know about it. I don't recognize the name of the previous owner and don't know the property. I looked it up on Goggle and it looks pretty run down.

I don't have proof that I own it, I don't think I do, but you never know. I suppose it's possible that someone left it to me, but I doubt it. Since no one can find another person with my exact name living in Los Angeles County, or California for that matter. Can I pay the taxes and sell the property? I think that is called "Illegal Conveyance" or something like that. But what if it was left to me and I didn't know it until now?

Any thoughts???

[Noah930]

Pay the 6 grand for back taxes.
Flip property to dude who's willing to pay you hundreds of thousands.
Initiate California retirement escape plan immediately. Costa Rica sounds nice.

[stomachmonkey]

Have you checked the record personallyor are you going by their word.

Smells oddly like a Nigerian variation.

Next time they call ask them if they know where you have to go to pay the $6k.

Might shed some light on the situation.

If it really was left to someone with your name then there must have been a will. Some attorney trail.

If you are really the only person by your name in California then why were you not found by the attorney or whoever closed the estate.

And why did cash strapped CA tax collector not already call you by now?

[Hugh R]

All good questions. I don't smell scam, the realtor who called me is real with an office in that area. But yeah, wouldn't a copy of the trust documents have to be at the county recorder's office of the assessors office? Next week, I may stop by the county Assessor's office which I drive by every day to work.

Zillow.com says it's worth $514K.

[dad911]

I don't know about CA, but around here if you don't pay taxes your property is sold at a sheriffs sale.

This screams scam to me.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd want to see the original documents at the recorder's office. If they're for real, I'd get a lawyer involved pronto.

Something smells fishy here...

[Dueller]

Don't know Cali law but likely the deed conveying property would have the attorney's name who prepared it. It possibly came through an estate so you might could track down the probate documents to get some info on who exactly it was conveyed to and by what law office. In any event I'd start with those contacts. Even if the deed had your exact name on it in my state for it to be effective you would have to show you accepted delivery of the deed.

[Noah930]

What does a quick check on Propertyshark.com say?

[McLovin]

If it gets past some initial inquiries, hire a lawyer to figure it out. One with malpractice insurance. Then you are protected no matter what happens.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

All good questions. I don't smell scam, the realtor who called me is real with an office in that area. But yeah, wouldn't a copy of the trust documents have to be at the county recorder's office of the assessors office? Next week, I may stop by the county Assessor's office which I drive by every day to work.

Zillow.com says it's worth $514K.

Personally I hope you hit the jackpot.

You might be right you, I've hardly ever heard of licensed real estate brokers being involved in any sort of scams involving falsified paperwork for mortgages, selling property that was not for sale, etc....

These two got away with it for 5 years.

Couple arrested in alleged real estate 'squatter' scam

[nynor]

much of the time, properties with a certain number of years worth of back taxes can be purchased by anyone by simply paying the back taxes. your laws may vary, but i know that is how it works in UTahr.

[Shuie]

Title search?