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I don't see anything major but be aware that maybe the reason no one has removed it, is the EPA rules and guidelines for removing it may exceed the price of the property. Look into any adjacent properties to make sure they are not protected wetlands or something like that. It would really suck to have to put in a containment barrier around the property because of some fluids in the cars.
Best of luck
Properties like this are my specialty. A skid steer and rake instead of a grapple bucket can complete the job in short order. I cannot speak to the laws in NY but can speak to those in SD, WY, NB, and CO. The vehicles would not need titles because they are not newer than 1990. The reason our scrap yards ask for titles is to ensure there is not a lien against them. Chances of very much fluid still in the vehicles is limited. Visiting the scrap yard before hand and showing them the pictures might answer your questions in short order.
I would also visit with the neighbors and ask them to provide a written statement that they would like to see the property cleaned up. They can also verify the vehicles were abandoned by ? many years ago. These strategies would work here but I am not sure about NY.
I have bought similar property, but I have a skid steer and trailer and hopefully you do too. The interesting thing that I found out was that because I purchased the scrap with the property, I did not have to claim the income from selling the scrap.
After looking at the pics I see alot of tires and trash etc........Keep us updated as this looks like an interesting project!!!!!!!!
I wonder how long the county would give you to clean up the property? It would suck to purchase it and then get a notice of violation and only have 30 - 90 days to clean it up. I see a stack of auto batteries in the pics. What is inside the house? Is it full of stuff as well?
That is a good question. I am in a very rural area and the county doesn't usually come down on people for these violations. The villages do, but this mess is out of sight from neighbors and the road and is surrounded mostly by farmland. Although the county definitely knows about it now with this auction happening.Quote:
Originally Posted by hobo finds
I can't even get close to the house to know what's inside at this point. When I went to see it, I was technically trespassing and wasn't about to jeopardize my safety climbing on things :)
I am seeing pics, now, and I am looking at it with an eye for EPA hassles.
From the shots, I see pressurized canisters, unmarked drums/tanks, Hg lamps, tires, CFC units, and sealed lead acid batteries improperly stored and/or labeled. I don't know if the NY DEP is hard-nosed about those kinds of things but I would check with a local agent to see what you are on the hook for (and when), if you take ownership of the property. If the property previously had an environmental injunction leveled against it, that would probably transfer to the new buyer. Even in a tax auction, that liability would keep popping up until someone paid it.
I also see a GORGEOUS white enamel apron sink but that shouldn't cause you any trouble.
Based on the pictures and not knowing what is underneath, with the right equipment I would estimate 20 - 40 hours of work to salvage the scrap and make the property beautiful. If you want to separate ferrous and non ferrous the time line would be extended. A secret of the trade, you do not necessarily need to sort the two metals if your yard has a magnet to unload your trailer. What ever they cannot pick up is taken home to separate.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
Now as far as the value of the property, contacting the local fire department to see if they want to use the house to practice on would save you money. You can assume in the deal demolition will cost you money. Then go to the county court house and find out what the price per acre (timber not farmland) has been paid in the area. Subtract the price of the demolition and cleaning up the property (including equipment purchases) from the price per acre. The final figure will be a great deal. You can go over this figure because you will be selling the scrap, getting more for the non ferrous, and will have the equipment you purchased. This is the amount I would aim for in an auction.
There is nothing in your pictures that the EPA would be concerned about if they are accepted at the landfill. Once again check with the landfill before hauling them in. Anything not accepted can stay on the property. You might have some Freon that has to be removed and will cost you money. Around here it is a $ 10,000 fine for releasing it into the air. If you decide to bid on the property and it has an environmental injunction on it, clean up as much as you can and have the EPA do a reevaluation. The fine will be a lot lower. This information should only be shared in PM's or the private forum, but I am sharing it as a courtesy to you.
Extensive experience in this regard has led to support from many wildlife groups, Game Fish and Parks, and many locations where I work. There are many other trade secrets that can be shared. Not knowing all the details I would purchase the property at the right price.
The two small trucks in the last pic by the pallets don't look too bad... I like the Fire Dept. advise. That would be cool if somehow that worked out!
I do not know about other areas, but the volunteer fire departments call me when they are looking for a structure to practice on. They know my access to different places and the fact I do farm restorations. It helps when I provide them a meal for further business. I just cannot keep up with all of the demolition, sorting of metal, and hauling. The fire departments love the challenge of the structures, meals, and the owners love the idea of clearing their land with minimal cost. I know this site is about scrap metal, but their is more business than the magnet when you think outside the box.
You mentioned this is a tax sale (if I read that correctly). In Georgia, you don't actually take title to the property if you are the high bidder on a tax sale, you have basically purchased a lien on the property. After 12 months (and properly advertising) you can then foreclose the lien (and this is a gross oversimplification of the process - after all, I'm not a lawyer). The point here (in Georgia) is that the property owner has those 12 months to "redeem" the property (though the tax lien holder would be allowed a premium over and above their "investment", so there's a potential return either way).
Is there a statutory redemption period in your state?
This is a straight sale here with a closing. Buyer agress to pay back taxes and then takes ownership. Eviction is the responsibility of the buyer. Nobody lives on this site but I think by law they have to be given 30 days to get their stuff. In that case, I thin a formal eviction is necessary.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swampy
I used to be jealous that I didn't live in a state with tax liens. But this process is much easier if it is the property that you're after. Thanks for pointing that out though. I'm sure others can benefit from that information.
Are you going to make a bid on this? I hope so, and I cant wait to see the results.
Yes, I plan to. A lot will depend on who turns up for the auction and their motives/knowledge/interest. I don't have very much to spend so I will honestly be surprised if I can get it. I'm just hoping others will see the house and decide it is something they don't want the hassle of.Quote:
Originally Posted by hobo finds
Well today was auction day. The property is not mine. Heck, I didn't even get a bid in on it. It is 3.9 acres. Typically an acre here sells for about $3,000. The winning bid on this parcel was $18,000 + 10% buyers premium + back county taxes of $1500. All I can say is wow. Someone must really want that old rusty pickup truck that is hidden back there in the weeds.
I spoke with the code officer yesterday. He said that they want to see the property cleaned up in 6 months. The first month will be mostly wasted time as you have to get an attorney to send a letter to the previous owner giving them a certain amount of time to clear off their personal property.
All in, it was a good experience. There were obviously bidders there that aren't familiar with the value of property here as many went much too high. There is an old brick warehouse that I think is about 5,000 square feet that sold today. The roof is bad. They have had it at auction every year for the last several. Last year someone bought it at this auction for $100 but then backed out and didn't pay the taxes ($6,000 per year). This year that same building sold for $11,000. I expect to see it back on the auction block again next year. Crazy auction fever.
Sorry you didn't come away with it.. but as I always say:
"You can't outbid stupid!"
Did you think about putting in a bid to clean up the property? Anyone paying above value probably has more money than time and would welcome the assistance of someone with more time than money. This is my situation, and maybe not yours. With my equipment I could clean it up in 20 - 40 hours. I would charge $ 2,000, keep all the metal, and keep rights to the nonferrous in the house in my bid.
The experience alone made you a winner.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
This year alone I have been to my first storage auction and my first car auction. None of which I would of ever done before I started scraping. I never came away with anything tho. All good times.
No, definitely out of my league. I am not currently equipped for that. With this project I intended to gather some of the equipment as I went along from the proceeds and/or bartering.Quote:
Originally Posted by Patriot76
I was in the same situation when I retired from education, but I owned a one ton truck, 2 horse trailer, stock trailer, torch, and tools. I would encourage you to pursue your plan even if you do not own the property. Hand loading iron for a year at 55 years old was a challenge, but well worth it. All of the profits were reinvested into equipment, building trailers, and tools.Quote:
Originally Posted by HipoGear
Here is the secret, contact the neighbors to find out if they have scrap they want to sell or cleaned up. Then you can decide if you can provide a service and how much to invest. This is the results of this strategy over five years for me. I have purchased two loaders (one with tires taller than I am), a dump truck, four additional pickups, a gooseneck flatbed, skidsteer, semi tractor trailer, and made over five trailers for hauling scrap. As Walter Brennan said "no brag, just fact" or "think big little dog or get off the porch".
The point of this post is to stretch your comfort zone and pursue your dreams.