Hopscotch Deal

[glhs837]

Years back I rented a shack from Tmar Wathen. I remember him telling me at some point that he acquired something on a "hopscotch deal". Can anyone shed light on that phrase? I can make guesses but want to hear from those who know.

 

[ginwoman]

No idea

 

[NorthBeachPerso]

Specifically I don't know.

There have always been............irregularities in Southern Maryland (actually all of Maryland) real estate transactions. From people selling or even losing their properties to tax sale but continuing to collect rents on it for years to people having certificates assigning them the right of way rights to streets in various towns or areas.

For the latter, whenever we wanted to do something with a street or alleyway we'd always have to have a title search because literally dozens of people might hold certificates from one or another of the development companies from 1900 that assigned them right of way rights to a street. You'd have eight or ten people holding a certificate granting ownership of Atlantic Ave. between 7th and 9th Streets.

A hopscotch deal sounds like something similar, some kind of scam for property transfer or to hide true ownership.

 

[glhs837]

Specifically I don't know.

There have always been............irregularities in Southern Maryland (actually all of Maryland) real estate transactions. From people selling or even losing their properties to tax sale but continuing to collect rents on it for years to people having certificates assigning them the right of way rights to streets in various towns or areas.

For the latter, whenever we wanted to do something with a street or alleyway we'd always have to have a title search because literally dozens of people might hold certificates from one or another of the development companies from 1900 that assigned them right of way rights to a street. You'd have eight or ten people holding a certificate granting ownership of Atlantic Ave. between 7th and 9th Streets.

A hopscotch deal sounds like something similar, some kind of scam for property transfer or to hide true ownership.

I figured it was a multistep deal, I have a thing you need, but you got nothing I want, but Gil has something I need and you have something he needs.