Frequently Asked Questions   Q: Should I really do all my due diligence before buying property? A: Yes! You need to do all your due diligence prior to making your purchase. It is recommended that you check with the county for information on the properties you are interested in. This includes zoning and different approved uses of the property. County information can be found here.   Q: Should I sell the property I buy from the Land Bank through a Real Estate agent? A: No! The properties sold by the Land Bank are NOT meant to be sold through real estate agents. RE agents can be a useful resource   Q: Who owns the land being sold? A: John Beck, and his related companies, have purchased all of the properties that are for sale. John Beck, or related companies, are not a Realtor or a Broker. We own the parcels we are selling. Because you are purchasing directly from the seller, you lower your cost by cutting out the "middleman".   Q: Can I return the property? A: Our 60-DAY GUARANTEE states: “If for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with your land purchase, we will refund you your purchase price less a 15% reconveyance fee.” Remember, you must do your due diligence before buying! You may resell or refinance the property at any time, once the property is in your name.   Q: Where do the parcels come from that are sold? A: John Beck and associates purchase these properties from distress sales, estate sales, government auctions, trusts, foreclosures, as well as private parties.   Q: Is there any sales tax on land that I purchase? A: Required State/County/City transfer tax or excise tax are the only taxes that will be included with your purchase. This is usually a minimal amount. There is a $100.00 processing fee for every lot purchased from the Land Bank. This is to cover the cost of recording your deed. There may also be association dues or other fees for certain properties. Be sure to carefully read the entire land description, taking special note of the "Property Profile" section.   Q: How long before I receive the deed and I can start selling? A: The time from start to finish depends largely on the county you are dealing with. When a purchase is made from the Land Bank, once payment is received, a deed is prepared and a copy of the deed, along with a map of your lot and a cover letter are mailed to you within 5 to 7 business days. Your deed is sent in for recording to the proper county recorder’s office within 2 weeks. Once the county receives the deed, it is recorded and returned to you; the entire process usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks. Some counties may have a faster 3 to 4 week turnaround time, but still others may take longer. As soon as the property is in your name, you can start selling! It is a good idea to call the county after about 3 or 4 weeks because they can sometimes tell you that your deed has been recorded before you actually receive the recorded deed. That way you can get started even faster!