Just because there is a dilapitated house does not mean there is no OWNER who may have plans for the LAND. Have you researched title? Is someone paying taxes? Is there a mortgage or other liens and judgments on the property? Might it be owned by an estate or trust that is "holding it" for appreciation (an example might be an old beat up house that sits on land now more valuble as commercial property, or may be rezoned commercial)? Or, in foreclosure or preforeclosure? Sometimes the house just sits there until the current/new owner gets enough money to finance the project and do the teardown. And such plans could be on hold until the market is better.
I've dealt with many development projects, and sometimes a developer may be buying up parcels for an assemblage of properties, and plans to do all the tear downs of existing structures simultaneously to be cost effective. Or may have offers locking up the property. Don't presume a lack of a current occupant means the property is not part of a long term plan. Or is ownerless.
And Eminant Domain is not something you as an indiviual can do. It is done by governments:
"The right of the government or a public utility to acquire property for necessary public use by condemnation ; the owner must be fairly compensated.
Read more:
http://www.answers.com/topic/eminent-domain#ixzz1XI6IarpP
