Answered Elsewhere

Many questions you might have are already answered on other pages. Visit:

• About Us and find out more about our company.
• Abandoned Homes to find why neighbors don’t want them to stay vacant.
• How it Works to get more info on the steps involved in this program.
• Privacy to see how we handle your data.

Is this squatting?

That’s a slang word for it. The legal terms are:

• Adverse possession, and
• Prescriptive acquisition.

Is this legal?

• The way most squatters do it, absolutely not;
• The way we do it, 100% yes.

How would we be different from common squatters?

• Most squatters are either vagrants or slum lords who ignore all the required legal steps and destroy homes in no time.
• Besides doing everything legally, you’ll be good neighbors and maintain the property.

Expect the neighbors to be happy you took it over. Talk to them now and tell them your plans, before you take possession. Then you’ll know for sure.

Do we have any legal exposure on this?

That’s the beauty of the trust. The trustees are legally responsible. Your church is merely a beneficiary of the trust.

We know the applicable law, are fully prepared to defend any legal challenges, and are completely comfortable accepting that responsibility.

Can the church get a property tax exemption for the parsonage?

Not until you get good title, and that takes about eight years.

Will we really get good title in eight years?

Most likely. There’s a chance the real owners could surface, but that’s unlikely, and, if they do, we expect they’ll sign off, even if we have to give them some cash.

If, in the unlikely event, we lose the property, you’ll still have the use of it until then. Before you get clear title, we don’t recommend you invest too much money into it.

We know of an abandoned home near our church. Can you help us get it?

Maybe. Send us the address and we’ll see if it qualifies.

We know of one that has squatters in it already. Can we get it?

Maybe. Send us the address and we’ll look into it.

Can some of our church members discuss this with you?

It would be easiest if you select one or two members as points of contact. If your church has members who are attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers, or elected officials, they’d be your best members to review this program. They’ll be able to understand it.

Can one of our church members be the trustee instead of you?

Sure. We’d be happy to pass that job on.

Are you a nonprofit organization.

No, this is our own in‑house charity project. We don’t raise funds for it.