The Homestead Play That Clears "Dead" Deals: Logan Fullmer

Logan Fullmer explains two major problem-solving approaches in real estate investing. First, he details how homestead exemptions work across different states (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Texas) to protect primary residences from liens and judgments. In states with strong homestead protections, a property owner can freely transact their homestead even with outstanding debts if the property qualifies for homestead exemption. The key is determining early whether a property is exempt or non-exempt, as this dramatically simplifies title clearing—sometimes requiring nothing more than a homestead affidavit to have a title company remove judgments and liens from the schedule C. Second, Fullmer recounts a challenging Ulster County, New York case involving a six-acre property worth $750K-$1M. The owner was incarcerated at Fort Dix, and communication occurred through his son and a friend using the owner's jail tablet, creating confusion about authenticity. After negotiating the price down from $400K to $200K and verifying the seller's identity through mugshots, arrest records, attorney confirmation, and notary verification, Fullmer faced another obstacle: New York's affidavit of heirship required two years after the property owner's death, but only one year had passed. Rather than wait, Fullmer had the incarcerated owner and his son (a beneficiary) sign deeds transferring their rights to the estate, and had an executor sign a form refusing to serve. This divested all standing claims to Fullmer, allowing him to open probate and later file a quiet title suit as a backstop. While collecting $10K monthly rent, Fullmer secured an order for title and prepared to sell the property, describing it as a "year three or four deal" requiring experience and a $200K wire transfer.