How - To Buy Tax Sale Properties

The rules vary by county, but the standard flow usually looks like this:

Buying a tax sale property is a "high-risk, high-reward" investment where a government body auctions off real estate because the owner has failed to pay property taxes. 1. Know the Two Main Types how to buy tax sale properties

You are either buying the property itself or the right to collect debt: The rules vary by county, but the standard

If you win, you must usually pay the full balance very quickly—often within 48 to 72 hours. 3. The "Redemption Period" Catch The rules vary by county

You buy a "tax lien certificate." You don't own the house yet; you own the debt. You earn interest on that debt, and if the owner never pays you back, you can eventually foreclose to take the property. 2. The Step-by-Step Process

The government seizes the property and sells it outright to the highest bidder. You are bidding for full ownership.