Renovating an Abandoned Resort: Legal Problems... 

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My first reaction was, to check the tax records in the county and see who was not paying taxes on the land you could probably get it by paying back taxes. Then take the time and energy to seek out the remaining owners.

Matt's personal monopoly board. Some one get this man a top hat!

You could set aside a corner of the property to build an actual subdivision. Offer to trade owners of landlocked parcels for parcels in the area that are actually viable to build homes on. That way you gain land in the interior of the resort without having to put out any more cash.

You may want to negotiate land purchases thru another party. If current lot owners know your status, not only financially, but being the adjacent land owner, the price will sky rocket. Also, real estate investors can swoop in and buy the lots before you get a chance to make offers and also make the prices explode.

If you keep purchasing heavy equipment, you might be able to set up a local equipment rental place or fund a legit construction company. Another vertical for my dude Matt..keep killing it Sir

I buy and sell land. The best thing you can do is send out offer letters to all owner addresses of those parcels you don’t own yet. Figure out a fair market/situational value and just send the offers with your contact info and a purchase agreement attached. You can put all the info for each parcel into a spreadsheet and mail merge it into letters with Microsoft Word. Keep sending those out a couple times a year and try to collect as many parcels as you reasonably can. There’s also skip tracing services that will allow you to feed the spreadsheet and get more contact info for all those people if you want to spend time calling them.

Start by checking to see if any of the lots have any tax owed on them for unpaid property taxes. You may be able to get them for the cost of the taxes

Idk how it’s in Texas but I work in real property for the state of Maryland, and in Maryland if you land lock a property you are responsible for giving them access to their property, we would force you and the other land owner to provide a right of way and your deed would have to be wrote with each of those right of ways in it. In Maryland this would be 100% a legal nightmare.

I'm in a similar situation up here in Denton County... First, you need at least an acre here to permit septic. Second, we were advised by a lawyer that since an easement wasn't already established to the land-locked parcel and the surrounding land had changed ownership several times, we were not legally required to give an easement to them to access their land, meaning they'd have to fly a helicopter in. The neighbor was able to buy the land-locked parcel CHEAP (explained further below). Check that angle too before making offers.

Popcorn ceilings were always ugly but great for hiding poor sheet rock skills. IMHO

A few things to consider. Buy the deeper interior parcels first in the heart of the property. Parcels on the edge of your boundary usually have less impact, unless there is something unique about them (large parcel, better access, etc.). Another thing. It depends on how a subdivision plat is laid out, but most subdivision plats will have property easements described, roadways feasible to install and use, or not, so subdivided parcels the developer sells are not land locked. The subdivision plat will also have utility easements to allow electric and water lines to be run from off the property to reach each parcel sold.

Check with your county records to see if any of the land have delinquent taxes and have liens from the county for the pieces that you can't get in contact with the owners.

Matt you should of waited to put this out till you got the land there's some real mean people out there that like giving people a hard time

Check for taxes owed on those privately-owned lots. Buy up the taxes-owed. I don't know the correct terminology, could be tax certificates. You should be able to own those lots for the ptice of taxes owed.

Oregon Professional Land Surveyor here, yup that's a mess 😂 You've got one hell of a consolidation ahead of you haha. Sounds like the county is working with you. That should make things a bit easier. Best of luck!

Is it just me or does anyone else really like to see Matt excited. Congratulations Matt and if I know anyone can do it, you will have all those lots back together

I dont know how you keep so many projects on point. Dude you are a work horse and a genius. Im in awe. Continued success, thanks for taking us for the ride.

As a Landman, curious if you own any of your minerals…. Assuming the person/company that subdivided it probably reserved all the minerals when he sold the residue… or minerals were reserved previously in title.

You might want to check out Sunriver Resort in Bend, OR. It’s a highly successful resort that incorporates residential properties along a river. You could consider modeling your resort after it.

Hey Matt. You could also offer the landowners partial memberships to the ranch in exchange for their property. You could also offer an annual night’s stay for a certain number of years in one of the cottages or cabins that you end up building. Just some ideas. May work better for some people.

I've been going back and watching OffTheRanch from the beginning. Started looking for some abandoned store shelving for my garage now!

If there’s one thing I learned over the years is that “headaches” are drama fuel for content. You got this 🤙

I’m a California Realtor. I’ve worked in some additional items for my clients and few times, without them knowing. At the close of escrow my clients were more excited about what I got for them for free than the house they bought! LOL! One was a golf cart. When I gave the buyer the key to the house, he went in the garage only to find a hold kart. He said, when are they picking this thing up?! I sad never. He asked, Why? I said because it’s yours. He didn’t say anything, he jumped in it and drove off!!! LOL! When he got back 15 minutes later he had a smile from ear to ear. It’s the little details that make a big difference. 😅

Matt, is the ranch actually close to well traveled roads or other businesses? I ask, because I wonder, have you thought about building and opening a gun shop on the ranch? I think it would work well, especially with your range areas close by. It would also be good for people to pick up ammo and such, before going to the ranges. Have you also thought about archery range areas? You could sell archery equipment at the shop too.

My parents got stuck with a plot of land like that. It was in backwoods Tennessee, and someone told them to buy it for investment back in the 1970s, as it would be near a resort. The resort was never built, so the land never improved in value. They got rid of it some time in the 2000s.

I had a very similar situation on a much smaller scale. I have a house on a 1.25 acre lot. .75 acre lot behind me which is land locked was owned by the lady who owned my house 25 years ago. I ended up buying the .75 acre lot from her for $1500. Still lost a lot of sleep over the idea of her selling it to somebody else.

The excitement you showed when you said “We finally have something nice!” just made me so excited to see it and excited for you. Thanks for taking us on your journey!

Congrats. The resort will be an amazing place one day soon. Keep up the good work. Love your videos.

Great Desperado Ranch Monopoly board Matt.

You might have to have it surveyed so you know exactly what is what. Call M B C Engineering in San Antonio. If you do tell them Ray Singer sent you. Good luck Matt.

Chech the county tax records on those lots... if back taxes are owed on any of them, you may be able to buy them by paying off the back taxes owed. Check with your lawyer. 😊

You are so open STILL Matt thanks for being so HONORABLY HONEST you give all of us terrific ideas as we hear what you go through! You’re the BROTHER WE NEVER KNEW WE HAD!!!

I look forward to spending some time at your resort in the future. God speed!

hell yes, cool update. I wonder if those people would be willing to trade the land for invites to ranch events in the future.

That highway house is very nice, I like the big windows, open concept and loft.

Matt your excitement is plain to see and infectious!

You should be able to figure out who owns the individual lots by checking the tax assessors office. As long as you have lot #’s or legal descriptions. Hopefully that info is on line.

Interesting information.....history never quits. No easements to the lots pretty much prevents anything happening. Buying them should work and looking forward to seeing that house!!

Some of these other owners, would probably give it up just to keep from paying taxes on them! I would!

Good luck man 🍀. I hope all goes smoothly

I work for my Uncle who is a land surveyor in LA. I now understand all of this terminology and how it all works etc. 😳😬 That’s going to be an interesting fix…..Im glad the county is being encouraging in this whole process. That will help a lot. You have a survey so that means you’ve got a surveyor on the project. I assume they will help out with this new project (unless the survey you now have is sufficient which would be awesome). They’re going to need to draw up a new deed too I bet. Thats going to be interesting as well. Good luck! Hopefully it goes smoothly!😊

Progress inevitably faces hurdles, its good to see you clearing them and making so much progress.

Matt you need to pump out more videos on this chanell, I really enjoy all the content. It is getting more and more interesting and wish you luck with the resort.

Just a thought- If the lot owners don't want to sell, offer them a "Season Pass" for as long as you own the property. With the upcoming events and the prospect of the resort becoming a "Destination", it would be great deal to have a Season Pass!

It'll be OK Matt

Keep up the great work, Matt!

Matt, congratulations on picking up more of the original resort/ranch. I hope to see you collect more as time goes by. 😊 tell the family hello .

It´s so fun to see you move forward and do awsome stuff with huuuuge goals! You are a big insperation, keep up the good work Mat! Do something today, that makes tomorrow better then yesterday!!

Love the vids Matt! Keep up the good work!!

I'm praying that this new land is going to work in your favor good luck can't wait to see it

I saw this issue the first time I pulled up the ranch on OnX. Glad you're addressing it...

i suggest you get rid of large piece of "cedar" ( if they are real cedar) forest and plant an orchard to make your own alcohol for the resort and/or to sell.

CONGRATULATIONS MATT🥳🍻

Make sure to get boardwalk and park place!

Wow! I would never have imagined anything like this. Hoping for the best for you. As Always, May God Bless you and yours!

Congratulations, i can see how excited you are over it. That Bob cat us sweet too.

I'm a private investigator, if you need help locating property owners lmk. Would be happy to help.

Matt take your time and make sure you own it be careful on the land do your research love the video ❤❤

Good luck on all you do .

Cheers to the journey! 🎉 Love, Peace, & Elbow Grease! Dreams are made of these things. Vision and Endurance! Cheers @Matt Carriker !

some advice, get a structural engineer for inspections. there not very expensive and will protect you from contractors and county inspectors.

Thats why i looked at my new acreage in person before buying and settling in on work there. Plus made sure the seller actually owned the land.

Watch there be that 1 guy that builds a shack with a heli pad on the roof. Then randomly fly in during big events and just be a pain.

So awesome,good job Matt , can't wait to see you that new place cool cool

What an absolute mess!! I hope the city helps you get them all sold!

Look up the laws your county and state regarding eniment domain, depending on your possible laws, if you maintain the land for X-years you own it by default.

Good luck man love what your trying to do with property

Love the roll-off dumpsters & skid steers. I started a junk removal company (got the llc in Oct, but didn't start doing any business until this month ...and my 'dumping loads since 2023' shirt arrived the other day 😁. I know it can be super frustrating sometimes to deal with all the expenses and projects on the way to the end goal, but your hustle is inspiring & motivating 💪

You are amazing I love your videos I've been watching since the beginning almost every one!

You might think that lot you bought in the middle of the resort is worthless to you but I’d love to build a off grid cabin there 😊

Happy for ya! Glad it's all your problem as well!

As far as the Skid Steer, you can have the tire you currently have on it, a solid tire, or tracks that go over the air tires. Lots of options for you. Can do a lot of work with it. Glad your getting all the land together.

Well played! You explained to all the landowners they have worthless land without being rude. Even if they keep the lots, your entrance is private property, so technically they’d be trespassing to get to their house. Good luck with that cluster.

Gosh. I guess I should buy one of those lots and put up a twig shack and show up for bbqs and range days in a speedo. Hopefully you get it all straightened out. Such a pain in the butt.

So happy for you.

Ahhhhh! I can’t wait!!!!! Happy dancing 💃🏾 for good news💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

Those lots could become a camping area for the owners.

I think it might be a fun idea to name some of the building you put up after the imaginary roads

*AHHHH NOW WE GET IT MATT* *YOU FOUND GOLD IN A CAVE AND YOU WANT ALL THE GOLD* *CATER*

This explains a lot. I was curious. Hopefully, you got a hold of that northeastern-most piece of land/ home on your property, which also backs up to more of the river.

Sounds like the people that bought “lots” were ripped off. 🤔

OH DUDE! This is like the worst nightmare version of Mcdonald's Monopoly I could ever think of. Sounds like a chore! Best of luck, it'll work out I'm sure :D

Great video thanks for sharing your amazing progress keep the videos coming 👍🍻

Maybe you could offer the owners of those properties a lot at the edge of the resort if they don't want to sell.. maybe even talk to your GC and see if he wants to build a small neighborhood for those owners.

People don't have to build a house. They could put up a nice little getaway trailer or shack. A weekend spot that they could visit. Take and bring their own water/food, enjoy it, watch the starts at night, and then leave.

WE LOVE YOU MATT

Matt, can you get those lots (the ones you do not own) on a topo map so you can show the people what their lot looks like topographically, might be able to get the ones in canyons and crevasses a lot easier and cheaaper.

Matt, dude, you're awesome and an inspiration. While a relative newbie to your world, you're an i separation to me and for me to do better.

do you know about history of the land? i mean, of course if there is anything interesting about it. maybe you should try metal detectoring some land? maybe you can find any historical items (i have no idea about history of your land so I'm just suggesting randomly)

I’m anxious to see the new property but the wait makes it even better can’t wait

consider adding a civil airstrip/dragstrip to the property it would open it up to even more people especially if you built a few pilots cabins

As someone who does title insurance... this is FARRR more interesting than it should be lmao. Its also amazing that the county would love to vacate the platted land... because they were the ones who approved the plat!

I'll bet the owners of those little plots will trade them to come shoot with ya on the channel.

I wish I owned one of those .2 Acres right in the middle.

I would also checknwith county tax accessors office see if any are behind on taxes and see if they can be acquired through tax auction

I work in surveying. Yes they can build on it and run utilities to it for a price

It will work out. Just keep at it. YOU DA MAN!

I have so much to catch up on. Going to binge watch back from Jan 20, 2019

*****U GETN BIG** *RENN* *CATER*