It's pretty clear a house two doors down from me has been abandoned. The owners never lived there full-time (they are citizens of another country).

I haven't seen anyone there in years, and over the past few months, basic maintenance has stopped (ie, no one is cutting the grass). The houses are zero lot line, so when one goes into disrepair, it affects the neighbors.

On our evening walk the other day, we noticed a sign on the front door - the local ISD has started foreclosure proceedings, and the letter stated they can't find the owners. There is also a large box full of mail by the front door. I assume the post office put it there because the mailbox is full.

Looking online, no taxes have been paid to any entity since 2021. The house is at least $56k delinquent in various tax bills.

The house is in Harris County, in an upscale-ish neighborhood (HCAD thinks the house is worth $640k).

Just curious what the process is from here on out. What can we expect? Just following the trail of foreclosure information, it looks like it can take 4-5 years before the house goes up for auction (based on other cases in our precinct). Do we have any other choice but to watch as the house and yard are trashed?

I'm tempted to ask my yard guy to cut the grass, but I don't want to pay for that every month, considering the owners are MIA.

As I understand it, Harris County will not file adverse possession affidavits, so that option is out. So it sounds like your best option would be to let it go to the tax auction and buy it there.

Ducks4brkfast said:

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Don't yall have an HOA? They should mow and bill (eventual lien) the owners.

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I'm in The Woodlands, so it's not an HOA. There are covenants that have to be met, and I did file a case with 311 today. But the response I got back is that this is a "lengthy process". And I'm not sure they will mow or otherwise tend to the property. The response said they would take legal action.

Red Pear Realty said:

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As I understand it, Harris County will not file adverse possession affidavits, so that option is out. So it sounds like your best option would be to let it go to the tax auction and buy it there.

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So, the two properties up for sale in the next auction (July) date back to cases that were originated in 2020 and 2022. This foreclosure was originated in 2024, so it's likely to be a while. And that's why I'm worried. Having an abandoned property two doors down from me for the next 3-5 years is not a pleasant thought.

Anyone know how I can find out if there is a mortgage on the property? I've done some google searching, and I think something would have come up if there was. So far the only foreclosure I've found is the ISD.

County Clerk's website

Somewhere in my brain I knew that.,,

what's the address. can email to kyle@maximinsure.com

Mowing the yard myself would be the obvious solution, but I don't have a lawnmower. And at this point, the weeds are waist high, so it needs more than a trim.

I did think about sending my yard guy over, but 1) I'm not sure if he (or anyone) would, since it's not my house and 2) I don't want to be on the hook for that expense every few weeks for the next 5 years.

I only just contacted 311 this week. I'm planning to follow up, and I've considered asking some of the other neighbors if they'd be willing to chip in to keep the yard tidy, since we all benefit.

There are other issues (and likely to be more, as time goes on) - like the mail that's piling up at the door - that need addressing, especially if the foreclosure process takes as long as my search suggests it will.

I was hoping someone who has had this happen might come along and say the foreclosure process doesn't take as long as I'm afraid it will.

There is no mortgage on the house, and it's worth a lot more that the current tax debt, so the owners could sell and cover that easily. Makes me think one or both of them has passed away.

Red Pear Realty said:

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Whatever a normal/sane county/city would do, Harris County/Houston pretty much does the opposite.

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so true it hurts

So, I followed up with the Township…

They have started the process to take legal action. Once that is complete, they WILL mow and do basic maintenance/repairs (ie, broken window or door).

BUT, because of the required waiting periods and board vote, it's likely going to be August or September before they can take any action.

If we do anything (like mow), it starts the entire process over. So, we just have to wait.

I told her about the mail, too, and she said they would speak to the post office. She seemed surprised that the ISD has already started the foreclosure process. Her reaction did not bode well for this taking anything less than years to resolve.

could you email me the address of this house. kyle@maximinsure.com

Red Pear Realty said:

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Whatever a normal/sane county/city would do, Harris County/Houston pretty much does the opposite.

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Dora leads the way!

Ouch. Thanks for the summaries