Seattle

[findalittlehome]

I am interested in a house that has been listed in Seattle. It is not a short sale although the sellers are under water. Checking it out, I see that the taxes from last year have still not been paid and interest and penalties are growing. The owners however just bought a new (not inexpensive) house last month.

Is there some reason they would choose not to pay the taxes and then buy another home? What's up with that?

[Purple]

If it's only the October taxes, they probably just forgot about it while buying the new house. The county only sends a tax mailing once a year somewhere around April, so its easy to miss the October payment. 

[findalittlehome]

Actually it's for the entire year....

[Jilliano]

Well, if I was them and working with my "evil genius" brain, I'd say they could be preparing to bail if they can't sell. Why put money into a depreciating asset if you may be facing a situation down the road where you might decide to walk away?

Since they are in their new home, I'm guessing that they would put a higher priority on staying current on payments (including taxes, etc.) for the house they are living in vs. one they aren't.