OfflineOk so here's the story...
My name is Kether, I'm Chris' wife. I finished reading Dean's book, "30 days to Real Estate Cash", on Wednesday July 24th. And I've been working like mad to put deals together. I have a lot in the air right now.
I established 3 teams: Iowa, SoCal, and NorCal.
Working to put together package deals in all 3 areas.
"What do you mean it's full of DRUGS"...
My real estate agent in Norther California found what I thought was a great opportunity to package multiple off market deals. Turns out some guy owns a bunch of places and had expired listings. RE agent did some homework and found the listing agent that dropped the client, asked what happened and was told they fired the client (the seller) because there is active illegal activities on premise and "grow operations" at each.
WOW! (I was told all of this this evening)
She advised me to not pursue this purchase and wants nothing to do with it. At the time I absolutely agreed.
However, as I explained it all to Chris this evening he said, I should ask the DG family. So here I am...
Have any of you ever purchased and cleaned up a grow operation property????!!!!!
I want nothing to do with drugs, but I like the though of being able to eradicate the problem properties and turn them into something wonderful... for the neighborhoods, the local home values, and the self satisfaction of doing a good thing.
I have a feeling this could be a very sticky situation. ANY constructive thoughts and "I've-been-there-before" advice is appreciated.
Sincerely,
Kether Sprague
Real Estate Wholesaler
-Chris and Kether Sprague
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” -Honest Abe Lincoln
Want off market sellers to call you? I think writing letters to vacant home owners is a great marketing avenue. I have vacant homes in every state! With the owners address! I want to partner with other wholesellers. If you are interested, please PM me! -- This is how I got my first deal, and I will give you leads and help you build your/our team! if you don't have them already.
I hope you get some good answers. But I think I personally would worry that you could someday get the back lash from legal authorities. If someone buys it or moves in and finds things and reports it.
Would it be a wise thing to maybe call someone and ask what you could do to make sure nothing surfaced later, or started growing again
Just cover yourself, and it may be a good buy if no one else wants it.
Hope this also bumps up for more answers.
If you are on FB, go to Deans page and hit join his group, there is a lot of activity on there too.
Good luck
call 911 and report it
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
What I have done in the past is I will still get the property under contract. Make sure to put an inspection period for the property so that we have time to get out of the contract if something is seriously wrong. Then lets find out what was going on in the house and if we need to do a drug test.(if it was not serious drugs its not a problem)
I just bought a house that I thought they were cooking meth in because the ceiling had hooks all over. At first I thought it was for plants but there was so many that it seemed suspicious. Apparently when cooking meth they hang it.. I dont know for sure but we got a test anyway.
It cost me $80 and I had to swab the walls, but it came back negative.
If the test would have come back positive then I would either have got out of the contract or negotiated for a lower price. It would have to be a lot lower because if it had meth you need to strip EVERYTHING!
Yes be careful but if you approach it correctly we will be fine.
I would have a little concern because often when persons involved in drugs are busted any property they have is confiscated because they are assuming that it has been purchased with money made from illegal activities. You never know if you buy or wholesale this/these deals, it could come back to bite you!
Karen
"You're never too old to be what you were meant to be!"
www.deangraziosi.com/real-estate-forums/investing-journals/59128/day-for...
"Shining Like a Star & Dancing on Sunshine"
"Shoot for the moon! Even if you fall short, you'll still land among the stars!"
inspecting or looking at house when DEA or LE shows up, YOU are going downtown ...in the back of a cruiser.
Explain away all you want, LE has heard it all.
Dealers/growers hide stuff all through the house.
Good luck- just think about it and the risk you're willing to take.
Mike
https://tvallc.isrefer.com/go/RehabLite/renvestr/ Free tools
I do appreciate the commentary. Thank you DG family.
I will keep you posted as to what happens with these properties.
-Kether Sprague
-Chris and Kether Sprague
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” -Honest Abe Lincoln
Want off market sellers to call you? I think writing letters to vacant home owners is a great marketing avenue. I have vacant homes in every state! With the owners address! I want to partner with other wholesellers. If you are interested, please PM me! -- This is how I got my first deal, and I will give you leads and help you build your/our team! if you don't have them already.
"Have any of you ever purchased and cleaned up a grow operation property?"
I have not, but you shouldn't have to worry about cleaning up a grow operation as no hazardous chemicals are used, no different than you growing roses in your back yard. Meth labs are a different story. Hazardous chemicals can contaminate the property. Cleanup can vary from simple scrubbing and painting to complete renovation including soil and ground water clean up depending on where and how the chemical wastes were managed. As far as the illegal activity on going, if you purchase the house and it is occupied by tenants, you have grounds to evict them. Chances are, it is occupied by renters because as Karen said, if the owner of the property was involved in a grow operation, the property could be confiscated. In either case, if you purchase the property, explain the situation to your local law enforcement and ask them if they could come out and do a sweep of the property with a drug dog. Any evidence they find might be used to form a case against the previous occupants. That being said, in California, you have to check into local ordinances as some cities/counties allow cultivation for medicinal purposes. You should determine if the activity is in fact, illegal.
http://www.canorml.org/medical-marijuana/local-growing-limits-in-califor...
Thank you very much for that clear explanation.
Your right, there are places that allow medical marijuana growing. I hadn't thought of that. And the comment about "illegal activities" is possibly an assumption passed on by the RE agent. I have not verified if there is in fact anything illegal going on. I like the suggestion of a drug dog sweep, and of course want to work with the local authorities to make sure all is on the up and up.
Keep the advice coming... this newbie needs all the sage wisdom this investor community can provide on this matter.
Many Thanks!
Kether Sprague
-Chris and Kether Sprague
“I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.” -Honest Abe Lincoln
Want off market sellers to call you? I think writing letters to vacant home owners is a great marketing avenue. I have vacant homes in every state! With the owners address! I want to partner with other wholesellers. If you are interested, please PM me! -- This is how I got my first deal, and I will give you leads and help you build your/our team! if you don't have them already.