Understand a Tax Sale

As individuals, families and corporations continue to struggle through economic hardships in the United States, many people are finding themselves behind on their mortgage payments, car payments and tax payments. This can mean the bank will come knocking, the car company will repossess, and a tax sale may be issued on your property. While bankruptcy is often considered to be a viable option for many people in debt, it wreaks havoc on your financial and personal life. Filing for bankruptcy is ranked as one of the most stressful events in an individual's life. Along with death of a loved one and divorce, bankruptcy due to financial distress is horrifying and heartbreaking. Nobody likes to be in debt and even fewer of us want to lose our property due to an inability to pay. As such, the federal county in charge of property taxes usually offers the owner a delinquent period in which they have the chance to pay off the owed taxes and reclaim full rights for their property. However, if they cannot pay the dues owed during that time, the county has a right to sell their property for the price of the delinquent dues. This is known as a tax sale.

A tax sale is a lucrative way for many people to get involved and invested in real estate for relatively little money. There is the opportunity to buy valuable properties for very cheap because the value of the property is of less interest to the county. Instead, the county has a vested interest in making money on the taxes. As such, they are willing and within legal rights to turn the property over to anyone that is willing to pay the overdue taxes.

As can be imagined, there are a number of rules and regulations that must be followed in order for the exchange of property during a tax sale to be legal. Individuals are always looking for ways to keep their property and counties are always looking for ways to make money with their taxes. The court system has designed a process that protects the interests of both.

First, the property owner must receive due and adequate notice that their taxes are overdue and delinquent. They must be allowed sufficient time to pay the overdue taxes. The sale of this property must be made public and the owner must be made aware of the process. Public auctions, whether online or in person, ensure that a fair price is paid for the property. In most cases, the county will sell the property for an amount equal to or greater than the owed dues.

If the tax sale process sounds like an appealing and interesting way to get involved in real estate, your next step is to contact your county treasury office. Your county treasury office will have information about upcoming auctions and information about what types of properties will be for sale. Call today to find out more information about how you can profit from this lucrative form of real estate.