He had closed on the house just a couple of days earlier. It was empty, apart from a little leftover construction material. So when the new owner behind @naepfeorst pulled up to meet his contractor and go over some plans, the last thing he expected to see was a big U-Haul truck parked in his driveway.
“Hey guys, here’s a fun one,” he says at the start of the video, in the tone of someone who already knows it is not going to be fun at all.
He walks the camera toward the house. He explains that when he bought it, it was empty. Nothing but “a couple little things left over,” some construction material, “not a big deal.” He unlocks the lock box, takes out the keys and heads for the door.
Then he notices things on the front porch. “No idea where that came from,” he says.
@naepfeorst
Inside, it gets stranger. He had the keys, he says, and yet it looks like someone has started moving into the house he just bought. “None of this stuff was here,” he says.
He keeps his cool on camera. His contractor is on the way, and he lays out the plan. He says they are going to change the locks “and try to figure out” what is going on, before signing off with a promise to update everyone. “Stay tuned.”
The video does not reveal who the belongings belong to or how they got inside. It could be a mix-up, a former occupant, someone who thought the house was available, or something worse. For now, it is a mystery, and a very unwelcome one for a new homeowner.
What to Do If You Find Someone Moving Into Your Home
This is rare, but it does happen, especially with vacant houses. If you ever pull up to a property you own and find signs that someone else is moving in, here is how to handle it safely.
Do not go in alone if someone might be inside. Your safety comes first. If you see a vehicle, hear voices or the door is unlocked when it should not be, step back and call the police. Use 911 if you feel you are in danger.
Have your proof of ownership ready. Keep a copy of your closing documents, settlement statement or deed on your phone. Officers will want to see who owns the property.
Do not remove or throw away the belongings yourself. Even if the items clearly are not yours, handling another person’s property the wrong way can create legal trouble. Let the police document it, and ask what the local rules are for removing it.
Take photos and video. Record the truck, the porch, the items inside and the date and time. Note any license plate numbers.
Change the locks right away. His instinct here is spot on, and it is something every buyer should do after closing anyway. You never know how many keys the previous owner, agents, contractors or tenants handed out over the years.
Call your real estate agent and title company. They can help confirm whether anyone else had access, whether a lockbox code was shared, and whether there is any issue with the title.
Squatters and Rental Scams Explained
Laws about unauthorized occupants vary widely by state. In some places, police can remove a trespasser quickly. In others, a person who claims to be a tenant may have to be removed through a formal court process, even if they never had a real lease. That is why acting fast, before anyone fully settles in, can make a big difference.
One scam to know about targets empty homes. Fraudsters copy photos from a sale listing, advertise the house for rent at a bargain price, collect a deposit from an unsuspecting family and hand them a fake lease or a lockbox code. The renter shows up believing they have a legal place to live. Both the owner and the renter end up as victims. If you are ever renting, verify that the person you are dealing with actually owns or manages the property by checking county property records and never wiring money to someone you have not met.
How to Protect a Vacant House
Whether you have just bought a fixer-upper, inherited a parent’s home or are selling a house you have already moved out of, an empty property needs extra attention.
Make it look lived in. Use light timers, keep the lawn mowed and have mail and flyers picked up.
Add simple security. A video doorbell or a battery-powered camera that sends alerts to your phone can let you know right away if a vehicle pulls in.
Lean on the neighbors. Introduce yourself and share your phone number. Neighbors are often the first to notice a strange truck.
Check your insurance. Many homeowners policies limit coverage when a home sits empty for an extended period. Ask your agent whether you need a vacant property policy.
Visit often. Stop by at different times, and keep the lockbox code private once the sale is done.
For @naepfeorst, the dream of starting work on his new house took a detour before the first nail went in. Changing the locks is a smart first step. Finding out how a stranger’s belongings ended up inside is the next one.
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