Is there anything else I can do?

[Margo6786]

Long story short is that my sis-in-law's next door neighbor just found out that the house they are renting is going to be up for a trustee's auction on Wednesday. Apparently, the house is in foreclosure (they had no clue anything was amiss until yesterday). They have only been in the house since October.

I gave them the name of a real estate lawyer to call for advice and then a list of houses to rent in case they have to move quickly. They were planning on buying a lot and building....

Is there anything else I can do to help them out?

[Chuck Capan]

You did the right thing by referring them to an attorney.  I think that they will have few choices...none that will be too good.

[Susan Haughton]

Once the property changes hands, they need to stop paying rent because the former landlord no longer owns the property and hnas no right to any rent monies.   I would just sit tight until someone knocks on the door and says "we will give you money to move," which is typically what happens.  That amount is typically negotiable, as well, and usually the agent only offers a % of what the bank has authorized for "cash for keys" provided they agree to be out by a certain timeframe, with the house left in broom clean condition.  They need to be prepared to move quickly but I would not move prematurely.  They have not done anything wrong.

[Margo6786]

**UPDATE**

The renters have contacted the RE attorney I gave them and found out that the owners are committing fraud in two states and legally should not have rented out the house at all. The owners need to return to this state asap and move back in the house (at the least - the fraud is another story). The foreclosure keeps getting postponed because the owners have declared bankruptcy (I think).

So, the renters need another place soon. They thought they wanted to continue renting because their ultimate goal is to build a custom home on a lot they have yet to purchase. However, over half of the potential rentals they have looked at are also in danger of foreclosure (I provided the website for them to check this out - it is public record, but they didn't know where to find it). They are very leery of getting into another "situation" with renting.

According to my sis-in-law who lives next door to the renters, they are extremely grateful for all the help and info I have given them. They feel I have saved them a boatload of grief (apparently, the state wouldn't look kindly on them for continuing to rent from these people) and want to use me as their agent.  They are thinking about buying now instead of building because of the hassle of renting again.

Here's my question....
I know of several houses that meet their needs - custom homes on great lots in the same area they are renting now.  However, they have not called me yet.  I realize it's the holidays, but they don't have a lot of time. Should I call them to "check in"? I don't have their email address, only their phone number.

I want to handle this soulfully and respectfully. Any advice would be appreciated.

BTW, Happy New Year!

[Margo6786]

In the meantime, I decided to give the renters a call to check in. I was prepared to offer them a list of homes available to buy or rent that meet their needs.  BUT, they have already rented a new place and will be moving in a few weeks. They told me that they will be ready to build or buy this summer and will give me a call when they're ready.  In the meantime, I will add them to my SOI and respectfully stay in touch.

Thanks for helping me think this through. I am a brand newbie and just putting the questions into words here on the boards have helped.

[Jennifer Allan]

Good job. If I had responded sooner (sorry, I should have!), I would have suggested that you call, no sales pitch (duh) and just see if there was anything you could do. Which you did.