Usually Carson Valley homes can be purchased on the Courthouse steps in Douglas County Nevada - or so I'd been led to believe...but this story may change your mind!
So I have this client, Angela (names have been changed to protect the enraged), whose family used to own a home in the Carson Valley. About 8 years ago, her parents sold the home that she grew up in and moved away. Apparently, this home had significant sentimental value for the children - and now the many grandchildren, nieces and nephews - and they've always said "If that home comes back on the market, they'll buy it back".
Well, said home received a Notice of Default. Angela posted a question on Zillow inquiring who held the note on the property because she wanted to approach the bank and do a short sale. I answered the question. We got in touch and I started doing some legwork for her since she is out of state.
We come to find out the home is going to the courthouse steps in a day and a half, and she overnights me a HEFTY cashier's check. (Did I mention it was hefty, or that it was CASH?!?!) I - very wisely - station a representative at the Old Courthouse, and my assistant and I go to the New Courthouse. I take the front steps, and she takes the back steps. The sale is Wednesday at 2pm. We're there at 1:55pm. We all use our cell phone and remain in contact and no one shows up. We wait until 2:30pm. We ask the security guards at the Courthouse and they say "He was supposed to be here at 1pm too for another auction, but he didn't show up."
The next thing we know, the auctioneer has posted on their website that the property was sold at 2:01pm on 7/29/09 to 'an outside party' and that they held the auction on the front steps (where I was!) of the courthouse and only one person was present. That one person placed a bid and got the house. At this point, I smell something foul.
Good thing I had my camera, because I took pictures. No one was there. No auction occurred. And now my buyer is considering suing to challenge the sale of the house.
What say you 'Rainers? Does she have a case? Please ask clarifying questions. I'm happy to answer. I find this situation personally FASCINATING!
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Christianne Gordon, REALTOR®, CDPE, SFR, , PSC, e-PRO
Certified Distressed Property Expert - Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource - Pre-Foreclosure Certified
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Great Nevada Homes, Inc.
Direct: (775) 881-8223
Visit us online at GreatNevadaHomes.com or CarsonValleyShortsales.com
The information in Christianne Gordon's blog is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. Any individual considering a short sale should also seek independent tax and legal advice to get specific information as it relates to their personal situation. Christianne Gordon is a licensed real estate agent with RE/MAX Realty Affiliates serving the entire Northern Nevada region including Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Washoe Valley, North Valleys, Fernley, Dayton, Stagecoach, Minden, Genoa, Gardnerville, Smith Valley and Yerington.
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