New - 1 Day Ago
$119,900
Active
3
Beds
1
Baths
1472
Sqft
0.25
Acres
802 E Roberts St Street, Bokchito, OK 74726
MLS#: 2640604
Quick answer: 501 Oliver Street in Bokchito, OK is SOLD. This 4-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,248 sq ft home built in 1973 closed on February 7, 2025 for $175,000. While the vacant home was under contract, squatters moved in and claimed they rented it from the Choctaw Nation. Here's how we got the house back, closed the sale, and what Oklahoma homeowners should know about squatters.
🎉 UPDATE: SOLD
Closed February 7, 2025 for $175,000. Congratulations to our sellers and to the new owners!
| Sale detail | 501 Oliver St |
|---|---|
| Sold price | $175,000 |
| List price | $189,000 |
| Listed | October 17, 2024 |
| Under contract | November 22, 2024 |
| Days to contract | 36 |
| Closing date | February 7, 2025 |
| Bedrooms / baths | 4 / 2 |
| Living area | 1,248 sq ft |
| Year built | 1973 |
| School district | Rock Creek |
| County | Bryan County, OK |
| Lot size | 9,998 sq ft |
| Price per sq ft | $140 |
| We represented | The seller |
What made 501 Oliver Street stand out in Bokchito?
Small-town homes in eastern Bryan County don't come up every day, and this one had a lot going for it. The house had been updated with a refreshed kitchen and hardwood floors, and the floor plan was flexible enough that the extra room could work as a fourth bedroom, an office, or a hobby space. A large garage gave the buyers room for projects and storage, which matters out here where a lot of folks have tools, trailers, and outdoor gear.
- 🏠 Flexible layout: 3 bedrooms plus a bonus room that could serve as a 4th
- Updated interior: modernized kitchen and hardwood flooring
- Big garage: workshop and storage space
- Rock Creek schools: the home sits in the Rock Creek school district
What happened at 501 Oliver Street?
It started with a Christmas wreath
We check on our vacant listings regularly. During one of those checks over the holidays, something was off: someone had hung a Christmas wreath on the front door. Nobody on our side had put it there. That wreath was only the beginning. Someone had moved into the house.
"We rent it from the Choctaw Nation"
The people living in the home swore they were renting it from the Choctaw Nation. They had no lease, no receipts and no proof of any kind. The Choctaw Nation didn't own the house. Our sellers did, and it was under contract to a buyer.
"There's nothing we can do"
Our first call was to the police. The answer we got was that there was nothing they could do. That's one of the most frustrating things a homeowner can hear, and it's a big reason squatting cases drag on.
Things got ugly
The occupants were aggressive, and the situation got worse before it got better. One of them ended up in jail twice before it was over. Meanwhile, our sellers had a buyer waiting and a closing on the calendar.
How we got the house back and closed
We dug into Oklahoma's squatter laws and changed our approach. The key was getting the property secured so the occupants could not keep living there. With the cooperation of the buyer's agent, we got the buyer into the house and kept the deal together all the way to closing on February 7, 2025.
The lesson: squatters move fast. A vacant house can go from empty to "occupied" in a matter of days, and the longer someone stays, the harder they are to remove. Regular checks are what caught this one.
To our sellers: thank you for trusting us through the harder moments. Your patience and good attitude made all the difference, and we're grateful we got to help you reach the finish line.
What does Oklahoma law say about squatters?
Here's what we wish more homeowners (and more people answering the phone) knew. We're real estate agents, not attorneys, so treat this as a starting point and talk to a real estate attorney about your situation.
- Oklahoma has a sheriff removal process. Senate Bill 1994, signed by Gov. Stitt on June 5, 2024, lets property owners ask the county sheriff to remove people unlawfully living in a home. It's now 21 O.S. § 1354.
- You file a verified complaint with the sheriff. The owner or their authorized agent submits a "Complaint to Remove Persons Unlawfully Occupying Residential Real Property" form to the sheriff in the county where the home sits. For Bokchito, that's the Bryan County Sheriff.
- Certain conditions have to be met. The owner must have told the occupants to leave, the occupants can't produce a lease signed by the owner or the owner's agent, and they can't be immediate family.
- It doesn't cover everyone. Current or former tenants, someone who has used the home as their address of record within the past year, family members, and cases with pending litigation have to go through a regular eviction instead.
- Don't take matters into your own hands. Oklahoma doesn't allow self-help evictions like changing the locks on someone, removing their belongings or shutting off utilities. Work through the sheriff, the courts and your attorney.
- Squatters can't "take" your house quickly. An adverse possession claim in Oklahoma requires 15 years of continuous occupancy. But a squatter can cost you a sale, a closing date and a lot of damage long before that.
Someone says they "rent from" a tribe, a bank or a property manager?
Ask for the signed lease and verify it directly with the owner of record. Fake-lease rental scams are common: a scammer advertises a home they don't own, collects a deposit and disappears. Sometimes the person in your house is the scammer, and sometimes they're a victim too. Either way, a lease not signed by the owner or their agent doesn't give them the right to stay.
How do you protect a vacant home from squatters in Texoma?
Lots of homes around here sit empty for stretches: lake houses between seasons, inherited homes, rentals between tenants and listings waiting to close. Here's our checklist.
- Check on it often. Drive by or walk through at least weekly. A wreath, a car in the driveway, new curtains or trash at the curb are all warning signs.
- Make it look lived in. Keep the yard mowed, the porch light on a timer and the mail picked up.
- Lock every entry. Check windows, back doors, garage doors and crawlspace access, and consider a camera or smart doorbell.
- Talk to the neighbors. Give a trusted neighbor your number and ask them to call if they see anyone moving in.
- Post no trespassing signs and keep documentation that proves you own the property.
- Act fast. If someone moves in, document everything with photos and dates, tell them to leave, and contact the county sheriff and an attorney the same day.
- Check your insurance. Many homeowner policies have vacancy clauses that limit coverage after a home has been empty for a while.
What is it like to live in Bokchito, OK?
Bokchito is a small, quiet town along U.S. Highway 70 east of Durant. Buyers here tend to value more room, a slower pace, and a lower-key setting while still being a reasonable drive from Durant for shopping, dining, and work. Lake Texoma recreation is within driving distance too, so weekends on the water are easy to fit in. Check out Lake Texoma homes for sale if that's on your wish list.
Homes in and around Bokchito range from in-town houses like this one to rural properties with acreage. If you're shopping by budget, our homes $100K–$200K and $200K–$300K searches are good places to start, and land seekers can browse 5–10 acre properties.
Thinking of selling in Bokchito or Bryan County?
Every home and every sale is different. If you're wondering what your place could bring, start with a free Texoma home value estimate and then let's talk through a plan. You can see how we approach listings in our home selling guide and browse more of our sold homes.
Photos of 501 Oliver St, Bokchito, OK
Frequently asked questions
How much did 501 Oliver Street in Bokchito sell for?
It closed on February 7, 2025 for $175,000.
What school district is 501 Oliver Street in?
The home is in the Rock Creek school district. Always confirm school boundaries directly with the district before you buy.
How far is Bokchito from Durant?
Bokchito sits east of Durant along U.S. Highway 70, which makes it a short, practical drive for errands and work.
What happened with squatters at 501 Oliver Street?
While the vacant home was under contract, people moved in and claimed they rented it from the Choctaw Nation, with no proof. We got the home secured, and with the buyer's agent's help the buyer moved in and the sale closed on February 7, 2025.
Can the sheriff remove squatters in Oklahoma?
Yes, in many cases. Under 21 O.S. § 1354, a property owner or their agent can file a verified complaint with the county sheriff to remove people unlawfully occupying a home, as long as the legal conditions are met. Former tenants and some other occupants require a regular eviction.
How long does a squatter have to live in a house to claim it in Oklahoma?
Adverse possession in Oklahoma requires 15 years of continuous occupancy, along with other legal requirements.
Can a sale still close if problems come up after the contract?
Often, yes. This one did. Many issues can be worked through with clear communication and flexibility from both sides; your agent's job is to keep things moving and protect your interests.
Related reading
- Durant, Oklahoma: Gateway to Lake Texoma
- SOLD: 1018 Hillcrest, Durant, OK
- Steps to selling your home in Texoma
- How to work with a local Realtor at Lake Texoma
Ready to sell in Bokchito or anywhere in Bryan County? Call or text Brian & Jonelle at (580) 217-7435. Love My Texoma Home Team | INC Realty, licensed in Texas and Oklahoma.
Legal sources: 21 O.S. § 1354; Oklahoma Voice on SB 1994. General information, not legal advice.
Listing data from MLS Technology, Inc. #2436844. Love My Texoma Home Team | INC Realty.
