How SquattersMarket works
Questions, answered.
A practical guide to listing, transferring, and onboarding a squat through SquattersMarket. We cover the documentation, the etiquette, and the law.
What exactly am I selling on SquattersMarket?
You are listing your accumulated possessory interest — the time, documentation, and improvements that contribute to a future adverse-possession claim. You are not selling title; SquattersMarket recognizes that and structures the listing accordingly.
How do I prove my possession was open and notorious?
The strongest evidence is mundane: utility bills in your name, packages addressed to the property, parcel-tax receipts, neighbor acknowledgment letters, and contemporaneous photographs of improvements you made. Upload them to the Tax-Receipt Vault during listing creation.
What is SquatScore™ and how is it calculated?
SquatScore™ weights six factors: continuity of utility service, completeness of tax-payment history, neighborhood acknowledgment density, document organization, last-owner-contact recency, and improvements made to the parcel. New sellers default to 4.2 and adjust over time.
How does the buyer "tack" my time onto theirs?
Through documented privity of estate. SquattersMarket recommends a notarized written acknowledgment of transfer signed by both parties, executed contemporaneously with the physical handoff. We do not generate this document for you — consult an attorney for any actual transfer paperwork.
What about the property taxes?
California requires every claimant to have paid all parcel taxes for the full statutory period (CCP § 325). Your tax history is part of your story, not the buyer’s, and the buyer must continue making payments in their own name going forward.
Is this legal?
SquattersMarket is a work of expressive commentary. Read more on our About page. Nothing on this site is legal advice; consult a California-licensed real estate attorney before taking any action.
Why California only?
California has a uniquely short statutory period (five years) and a uniquely strict tax-payment requirement. Both make documentation more valuable here than in other states. Expansion to other jurisdictions is not currently planned.
What happens if the true owner re-appears?
The owner’s reappearance is the principal risk for any buyer. SquatGuard™ (sold separately) offers a 30-day money-back window in select counties. We recommend buyers conduct independent due diligence on the owner’s last known address and recent activity.
How does pricing work?
Basic Listings are free forever. Featured Squat placements ($29 one-time) appear on the homepage and at the top of browse results. The Pro Squatter subscription ($99/mo) unlocks unlimited listings, advanced filters, and early notification on county tax-deed auctions.
Still have questions?
Most are answered on our About page, which explains what this project is and how to read it.