I believe that's usually the job for the Sheriff's Dept.  I think you have to file Eviction Papers though the local municipal courthouse and have the squatters served and then eventually forcibly removed.  That's what we do here in PA.

Depending on your states laws you may not be able to get rid of them.  Your seller needs to be able to prove that they have been paying the taxes on the property.

I never heard of that term, but thanks for the heads up.  

Brian,

Thank you, I am originally from PA moved to FL in 2003, my son sell's for RE/MAX in Gettysburg... appreciate your post! Thanks.

Vicky,

It's my BF's property, he doesn't really want to sell it but we would like to get rid of them to build a vacation home. He has been paying the taxes...It's in Costa Rico...you know anything about that?

Ryan,

They live on the land mostly when the owner's just bought the land for investment... they just take it over and it take's and a baseball bat to get them out..or an act of G*d...It's not easy!

Actually the squatter's do have rights after spending a certain period of time (don't remember how long, but it's years) living on the land. This is a good question for our attorney's out there in AR land. BTW - not sure if the baseball bat will work - a gun would be better! Sorry - didn't mean to promote violence on your blog!

Jim,

Left you a msg on the other blog. You are so funny.,,no gun's on me,..

I think if the Seller had knowledge that they were there, then the time period begins, but seek legal advice.   I am not sure if this involves the Homesteading acts or not but somewhere I recall this being

part of squatters issues.   

Glenda,

This is in Costa Rica, he bought hundreds of acre's year's ago and the squatter's are a problem...what to do??? We want to build a summer home there. He own's the property and pay's the taxes.

It's all going to start with the State Law.  Good luck.  Get with your state's attorney or district attorney.

Karen, wow!  Squatters are about the worst!  And in Costa Rica, who knows how the legal system works?  It's bad enough in the states where the landowners have some rights.  Guess it's time for a lawyer!  Good luck with it - I hear Costa Rica is beautiful, so I'm sure it will be worth the hassle!

Karen, I know of a "squatter" in a neighborhood who has been foreclosed on and despite the bank owning the property they are tied up in a legal battle that does not allow them to be kicked out now for two years. This story amazes me. I say the squatter should give us all seminars on how to live in a house for free cause obviously they are good at it.

Larry,

Thanks, I'm sure I will need to get an attorney, know any good ones in Costa Rica?

Gary,

Two years??? who pay's the electric and the other necessary utilities for these people.

A good friend of mine had squatters in her home back in Mexico. She just gave the police a couple hundred dollars and the squatters were gone the next day. Not sure what the police did, but they got rid of them squatters.

Sean Allen

Sean...now there's a thought...do I need to speak Spanish to talk to them???? If I do, I'll have to get my daughter to call...her major was Spanish with a minor in Business...plus a few mor languages if necessary...