Are you currently investing in the Miami real estate market? If you are and you’re tempted to buy bargain property sight unseen, you might just get an added bonus that you’re not counting on: squatters. There’s an anti-poverty group down there running around matching homeless people with vacant houses. The group, which calls itself Take Back the Land, is apparently trying to find a good use for some of the city’s empty properties.

So far law enforcement officials seem to be turning the other cheek and ignoring what’s going on. Now, I don’t know what kinds of properties these are. It’s possible they might need substantial repairs and aren’t ready to be lived in. The point is they belong to the lenders and in some cases – the government.

But what happens if an investor comes along and gets what they think is the deal of the century?

Will they have to fight to get the squatters out so they can begin the renovation process?

I’ve got nothing against finding a place for the homeless to live. I’m as compassionate as the next person. But it brings up an interesting question about who ultimately pays the cost of evicting squatters from these properties – and who’s responsible for any damages to the houses. If the properties aren’t properly secured it might be relatively easy for this group to help homeless folks to get in off the street.

But most of these places are probably locked up tight.

Without a key, how are they getting in? Are they breaking in? Or are the houses surrendering to the “will of the people” and spontaneously unlocking themselves so they can be lived in? If you’re investing in Miami – or anywhere else this kind of activity might be taking place – beware. Don’t take the law into your own hands. Be sure to research local laws to make sure you abide by the letter and the spirit of the law in the event that you buy one of these properties and discover that you have a tenant you weren’t counting on.  You don’t want to have to fight for possession of YOUR property.

Blessings!

Charrissa Cawley

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