How do you approach property owners?

barry county · Nov 13, 2015

Last week I was told about an old tractor that was sitting in a barn with the roof caved in. The barn sits on a dirt road and the property is a vacant old farmstead with brush growing up everywhere. I've been told that the owners have passed and the property belongs to the kids who live elsewhere.
I decided to go check things out, and parked on the road, looked for any "no trespassing" signs, and proceeded to enter onto their property. Sure enough, several feet from the road, with NO chance of being able to see anything from the road, I discovered an old building with the roof collapsed, and a few tractors inside that had not been moved in several, several years. I am very interested in a couple of the tractors. My dilemma is: How do I approach the owner, since we both know that the tractors would not have been seen without "snooping"?

Bobl1958 · Nov 13, 2015

I would just say someone told you about them and you wondered if they would have any knowledge of them or know if they might want to sell them. That would probably open the door enough to know how to proceed from there. Bob

Billy NY · Nov 13, 2015

It may take some work through say the tax maps or something to see if you can track them down. I don't know that I'd be all that offended if it was mine and there were no posted signs, they were in that collapsed barn, and your interest was genuine, not to steal or otherwise, but that's me, taken the wrong way or by someone else, its possible for someone to react in an unfriendly manner.

If you are genuine, just tell them you heard about these from that source, and you would like to take a look, see if they are interested in selling or what the deal is, can't hurt, and won't hurt that you leave out that you took a look already.

You should always be honest and its really not a good idea to be poking around someones land, buildings, collapsed or not, but you were honest enough to tell us here, and you never know, they may want to see them off to someone who will do something with them, or be plainly not interested at all and could care less if they rust into the earth, which does happen. How many times have I heard about something like that and the owner is not interested in selling, years go by and whatever it is turns to junk, its their option. The siblings may only be interested in cash, not tractors, so there's 2 distinct sides of it.

If were me, I'd follow up, it can't hurt, but you have to be respectful about it.

D beatty · Nov 13, 2015

I would stop in and just outright ask them if they would be interested in selling them.

mb58 · Nov 13, 2015

I tried that approach once. I was actually told by "someone" and when I called the absentee owner and asked about permission to look the first question was, "who" told you. I refused to tell and they refused to go any further with the conversation. However, you have to start somewhere so I wish you good luck.

JML755 · Nov 13, 2015

Just look up the owners from the tax rolls and contact them to say "are you interested in selling them?". They should be happy that you're being up-front and didn't just steal them. :lol:

ObsoElitist · Nov 13, 2015

Check with a local real estate agent, they can bring up the owner of record.

glennster · Nov 13, 2015

tell them you were talking old tractors at the coffee shop and an old guy, maybe earl or irwin said that he knew their dad, and thought there might still be some old machinery at the old homestead. ask them if anything is still there and if they would be interested in getting rid of it. maybe offer to help mow a little there or some other odd jobs.

Bryce Frazier · Nov 13, 2015

Perfect! That is what I usually do. You heard about it from someone right?!

Plain and simple will take the cake...

Bryce

Mike M · Nov 13, 2015

I had something similar happen to me. Some relative of a guy who worked with my Dad actually took us to a farm he worked as a kid. We looked at the tractors to see what was what. I think he told me where to find the owners kids. Well they didn't want to sell. As far as I know they are still there and the barn was falling in on them last time I went by. This barn is darn near right onto the road but back in the boonies.

barry county · Nov 13, 2015

All very good suggestion. Thanks guys. I think I will utilize several of your ideas and try to approach the owner on the phone. I will keep my fingers crossed, as these tractors appear to be in good enough shape to restore. I will keep you guys posted. Thanks

glennster · Nov 13, 2015

yup, earl, i think thats what he said his name was, kind of a stocky older guy, wears glasses and a seed corn hat, boy he had some good stories from the old days, yup, hes they guy!!

Pair-a-dice farm · Nov 13, 2015

Telling the truth works for me. As a property owner, if I find out someone is lying the deal is off no matter what. You should have tried to contact them before you entered the property so you may have already blown the deal. Contact them, fess up and maybe you can make a deal, if not learn a lesson.

dr sportster · Nov 13, 2015

I try to get a name off the mailbox [without trespassing] . Then I send a letter addressed to the property mailbox with a return envelope and a form . It says: I'm interested in something on your property . The form has boxes to check . No I'm not interested in selling . Yes I would sell the item . I am not seeling at this time but may contact you in the future. There is an envelope to send the form back to me.It includes all my contact info. I have one of these letters out right now on what I would call a 57 Chevy El Camino.

tlock0331 · Nov 13, 2015

i know my 2 cents doesnt add up to much, but i would contact them face to face. i have found, if they are older, they prefer face time in deals, and that lets them see you have a genuine appreciation in what they have, and not just trying to scrap them or rip them off.

good luck and if you get something let us know what you got, its always interesting to see what people turn up.

Rich'sToys · Nov 13, 2015

I would also use the approach. "Someone mentioned that you own this property and that there might be some old machinery there." DO NOT mention that you have already been out there!
Keep your conversation generic, and let THEM tell YOU what is out there. You'll know soon enough if they're interested in selling, and if they are they will either give you permission to go look, or else they will arrange to meet you there and show you the stuff themselves.
If they think you may have already been out there it will raise suspicions about your character, and whether or not you have already been stealing stuff. You will be off on the wrong foot before you even get started.
Good luck!

JOCCO · Nov 13, 2015

Others have covered it pretty well. Here is some of my thoughts 1.if they are abandoned and not used for years and barn falling down etc. tells me the owners aren't to interested in them!!! 2. A cold call or letter may not work to good. IF you could find there cousin, brother in law etc it may be a good ice breaker. 3. It is possible they have no idea what is there if they live away???

Charlie M · Nov 13, 2015

Could be hard to do business even if you find someone to talk to. If its in probate then you would need to find the executer of the will and wait for the process to carry out. If its just owned by a bunch of family members then it would probably take permission from each of them to get it done and in those situations they don't often agree on many things and the stuff just sits there and rusts away. Lawyer once told me the worst people in a situation like this are the spouses as they think there other half is getting cheated out of their fair share. What ever the situation you don't know until you ask.

rrlund · Nov 13, 2015

That's kinda what I was thinking. Tell them that there's a local legend that they're there,ask if it's true and would they be interested in selling if it is true.

Ron-MO · Nov 13, 2015

Keep in mind that lack of no trespassing signs does not mean it is ok to enter. Or at least here in MO. I was told by fairly good authority that posting the signs simply changes the 'degree' of the trespass and amount of the fine you would have to pay if caught and convicted. I have had problems with people entering by way of a steam, and everyone seems to think they can go up a creek or stream when in fact they can be arrested for trespassing even if the property is not posted (with exception of navigable streams, and then they must remain in the waterway). Now, with that said, I am yet to even be able to get a law enforcement official on the property for at least an hour after I make the call that they are on the property, and usually they are long gone (if I have not already approached them and ran them off). But, I agree to find out who the owner is and try to make contact and not mention that you have already been on their property. I have been in those shoes, and before I moved onto the property I live on, kept finding outbuildings left open, things missing, etc, and was very unhappy about it.

Cory Schmidt · Nov 13, 2015

Do you have a dog? Say you were out driving around and the dog got away from you. Say place looked if no one was there for awhile, that's when you entered the property(to get the dog) and saw the machines. Then you have somewhat justable cause to have been on the property and don't have to drag(or makeup) another person(that could blow the story) into the mix. Just a option.

4wdtom · Nov 13, 2015

I would make it clear you want to "save" any equipment you might purchase from them, not resell or junk it. Show them a picture of what you have already saved.

dpendzic · Nov 13, 2015

go to your town or county tax assessor and get the name and address of the property owner and send them a letter that you have been told such and such and are inquiring about it.

Dick L · Nov 13, 2015

The local DNR officer told me that in Ohio no signs are necessary. He said everyone knows if it is their property or not and also knows they do not belong on any ones property when they do not have permission.

He said a lot of people when being taken in spouts nonsense about no signs and the officer is going to be in trouble.

Tom-NoCenTX · Nov 13, 2015

If you trespassed on my land, snooping around the barns, your wife would be very lonely.
If you call the "kids" now, they will ask WHO told you. You will slip and mention one of the tractors by model and they will know you are a law breaker, and spend the rest of the short conversion wondering what you may have stolen already.
Tom

TomH in PA · Nov 13, 2015

I agree with pair-a-dice. Don't try to BS them. Either they want to sell the stuff or they don't, probably won't care how you found out about it. But if they smell a liar the deal is off.

Personally, I'd prefer to hear that you were curious and saw something you liked rather than to hear you "heard something from someone".

farmerwithmutt · Nov 13, 2015

I would tell the truth . If there local pick up a bag of treats (Mennonite bakery nearby always take something with me when I'm dealing) go and talk to them tell them why your interested and why it means something to you to preserve the past it also means telling the story that piece of equipment has to tell. In a way preserving that piece of equipment also preserve there family history . Take along a magazine that features a piece of equipment and the story of the men or women that used them

GordoSD · Nov 13, 2015

That would be a Cameo Carrier.

centash · Nov 13, 2015

Yeah, but that will drive up the price!!!

Ben

bteny10 · Nov 13, 2015

I agree with you it will probably drive the price up some tractors are bringing iron price an at 15 dollars a ton not worth much

Bryan inIowa · Nov 14, 2015

Reminds of "Trailer Park Boys " one guy is always getting out of trouble asking cop if he knows "Jim" ? Oh yea, he's good guy , lol

Bryan inIowa · Nov 14, 2015

Just a heads up ,neighbors and relatives didn't work the best for me one time . road huntin grabbits once, saw a TON of them around this house. Knocked on door , nobody home. Darn , this was the MECA of rabbit hunting ! went to next farm house. Talked to old guy there, "yea that my sisters place, shoot all the rabbits you want ". Went back , shot our limit . Month later we stopped at the house to ask about hunting there. Lady came out and told us NO, I feed rabbits . We didnt' say a word , thanked her and left.

Nebraska Cowman · Nov 14, 2015

"No Trespassing" signs are not for the convenience of the property owner. They are for the safety of the would be trespasser. You allready done wrong and it's way too late to change now.

Frank41 · Nov 14, 2015

Go to the court house to the assessors office and see who pays the taxes and get their address.

How do you approach property owners?

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Member

Member

Well-known Member

Member

Similar threads