Purchasing repoed house, no key, gaining access?

[tman713]

Hello-

I've been looking at and plan on bidding on a repossesed house in my city. I haven't even been able to get into the house because realtors don't have access and the bank doesn't want to deal with it.
The auction is Friday and, needless to say, if I get the house I'd like to get inside it. If you win the auction you pay for the house, in cash, literally on the courhouse steps. The problem is that, as I understand it, when you purchase a house in this manner the county has no key and the purchaser has to get a locksmith to open the house for them. Something I'm perfectly willing to do, except that it sounds like it takes a week or more for the new deed to be created and mailed to the new owner. I've been looking at this house, doing research on back taxes, etc... for over 3 months now and frankly I just don't want to wait another week or more if I get the house Friday. I have no skills whatsoever when it comes to lockpicking nor do I have the tools, but I've heard that one can drill a lock. This would be fine with me because I'd like to replace the locks anyway, who knows who's floating around out there with a key (namely the old owner). Anyway, my question is, is drilling the lock something I could do as an amateur with basic knowledge of how a pin tumbler lock works but no actual experience in picking a lock and if so how?

Thanks-
Steve

[digital_blue]

Drilling is not something that will be discussed in this forum. Sorry. You'll need to go at it yourself, or call a locksmith.

db

[raimundo]

Santa uses the chimney, but the burglars on discovery channels 'thief' program usually kick in a basement window or the kick down the door of the attached garage.

[vector40]

Anyway, my question is, is drilling the lock something I could do as an amateur with basic knowledge of how a pin tumbler lock works but no actual experience in picking a lock and if so how?

That's actually a fairly accurate summary of the knowledge you'll need. If you have a good understanding of the internal mechanics, it's not much of a leap to grasp where you need to put a small hole to destroy that which makes the lock lock.

Really, though, practically speaking I'd be surprised if you couldn't find ANY way in, if you don't care about being mildly destructive... look at windows, garage doors, look at cat doors, basement locks someone forgot to fasten, grab a hammer, etc. You only need to get in once, and you should be able to replace all of the locks... of course, if you're going to do that, you might as well have fun and test out some of the stuff in this thread viewtopic.php?t=6343

[kodierer]

The bank won't auction the house without first opening up a viewing of the inside. I wouldn't have questioned your intentions if you hadn't devised up this stupid story. So one word GOOGLE

[32768]

The bank won't auction the house without first opening up a viewing of the inside. I wouldn't have questioned your intentions if you hadn't devised up this stupid story. So one word GOOGLE

Actually.... that's exactly how it works in Philadelphia. I'm part of a non-profit that bought a building here a few years ago. It was closed, plywood on the doors, we bought it sight unseen. More recently, a friend of mine bought a house a few blocks away- same deal. He had no idea what it was like inside until after the auction when he owned it and I helped him get in. So that's how sheriff sales work here.

I don't think you have any legal options to gain access until all the paperwork has gone through- one reason for that is that there may be a lien (or various other entanglements too tedious to detail) which would prevent you from owning the property even after the auction. Until you have the deed in your hands you don't own it and entry could, to a particularly pedantic type of person, be considered trespassing. You've waited several months- in my opinion it's worth waiting a few more days to do it legally.

[RangerF150]

WOW ! Your gonna buy a house without seeing inside first ?
What if it's stripped out inside , you could spend thousands fixing it up....

I agree you should wait till it's a legal, what if you go in fit all your new locks etc , and there is a problem ? your out of pocket for all the locks etc you got..

Hold on !

Good luck

[DBCooper]

Ok, you shown proficient use of google, now time to advance to the search engines within individual websites.

If you spent the same amount of time filling out a profile so you could post this question, searching this site you would have realized two things:

1. The public portion is an enthusiasts site where amateurs such as myself may gain knowledge from peers and professionals alike on the hobby of lockpicking.

2. Your question has been addressed 100s of times. (notice the subtlety, addressed as opposed to answered)

Then after thinking about this for a while hopefully you would have come to this conclusion:

Geez, it is nice that these friendly folks are willing to share information on the hobby of lockpicking, I wish to return the favor and spend a little time chatting and getting to know some people who enjoy a similar hobby.

or, I am foolish to come in and ask locksmiths to divulge trade secrets so I can cut another locksmith out of a paycheck. It is like going to a mechanic and asking him to diagnose the problem, then have him walk you through the steps over the phone, then just hang up after you are done.

One final note, what you are attempting to do is illegal. You need all the notarized papers in hand and filed with the appropriate agencies (commonly referred to as closing).

By the way, thank you for stopping by.

Mods - Hope I didn't overstep my bounds as a noob, but this same stuff happens on all the other boards I am on and it get tiresome.

[zekeo]

I think this is a perfect example of legality not exactly matching up with reality. If this guy's story is true, he obviosuly means no harm by wanting to see the house inside. Tresspassing laws are meant to protect private property, not to keept his guy out of his potential purchase. Believe it or not, the reasons for laws matter, even in the courts. I work with lawyers, and they always say "it's not illegal unless you're convicted." The law isn't open/shut black/white. I think most cops wouldn't arrest this guy, and even if they did I bet a decent lawyer could get him off. This makes entering the house "legal" in the most useful sense of the word.

I see why he asked here, because a professional locksmith wouldn't want to risk even the slightest chance of a questionable entry.

That being said, I think the best bet is to try windows, etc, or ask neighbors (this reduces the risk of legal trouble as well).

[DBCooper]

... "it's not illegal unless you're convicted." The law isn't open/shut black/white. I think most cops wouldn't arrest this guy, and even if they did I bet a decent lawyer could get him off. This makes entering the house "legal" in the most useful sense of the word...

Wow, that is most unfortunate view of the world. Do you read the papers? Do you watch the news? Is murder legal when an individual gets off because of a technicality found by a high priced lawyer?

I guess in your misguided and troubling view justice can be bought, and the law really is for sale.

[zekeo]

Obviously killing someone is illegal. There is no "objective" way to analyze something like breaking and entering, though. Like I said, entering a house that you intend to purchase does not hurt anyone. Comparing that to murder is ridiculous.

For all of you who drive 5 miles over the speed limit, have had a beer before the legal age, or have used illegal drugs, you know what I mean.

For that matter, there's a law in many areas that only legitimate locksmiths can own picks! Yes, there's technicalities (i.e. anyone who works with locks is a locksmith), but again the law is vague.

Being realistic about the limits of legal systems isn't unfortunate. It's unfortunate that anyone would have absolute faith in them.

[DBCooper]

Ok two more moderate cases:

1. I am selling a house. I am not home and an individual wants to buy it. They say, "Well, I really want it maybe I'll just let myself in". That is your situation and clearly illegal, immoral, and not to mention dangerous for the foolish indivdual, for my dogs (over 250 lbs combined) do not like people they have not been introduced too.

2. I own a house; through fraduelent services someone bought it. They enter it before a Title Check and verification is performed. After that point it is realized their is a title history problem and the person can not own the house. (That is the purpose of Title and Escrow services). That situation is also clearly illegal.

Anytime you do not legally own property and you enter it without permission you are commiting a crime. Period.

[DBCooper]

Being realistic about the limits of legal systems isn't unfortunate. It's unfortunate that anyone would have absolute faith in them.

I never claimed to have blind faith, but exploiting them as you clearly suggest is unfortunate. Indivduals with moral compasses aligned with your are the reason the law is so convoluted and difficult.

[raimundo]

DB boought his house back around 1970 when he came into some cash

[DBCooper]

Things were easier then. Now the feds get suspicious with any amount over $9500.

Ah, the good ol' days.