Government Auctions Tax Lien Sales and How to Profit From Them

By Jane McIntrye

Every time someone defaults on their property taxes, the government can foreclose on their home. It's a common practice, and by the way things are going, they'll be listing foreclosures even more in the future. It goes without saying that this is a terrible ordeal for any homeowner, but there is a bright spot in the form of a tax lien auction as outlined in this article. In fact, a tax lien can help a homeowner prevent foreclosure while providing an a good investment, so it can actually turn out to be a win-win situation!

A public property tax sale, also known as 'property tax liens', are auctions organized by local government councils in an effort to dispose of tax debt. What occurs is that the public bids on the debt owed by the property owner. For argument sake say you are the winning bidder. That means you are paying off the tax debt on behalf of the property owner by buying a tax lien certificate which establishes you as the new lender to the property owner. The property owner has to pay you back with interest before the expiration of the redemption period as predefined by the government. This redemption period can be any time between 6 months to 4 years.

The homeowner must then pay the winner back all their money plus interest by a specific date. The date will be determined and agreed upon by both parties. The lender is allowed to raise the interest anytime the homeowner fails to make a payment. If the homeowner continues to fail on the payments, the winning bidder will then be permitted to take over the home and the title. Either by profiting on the interest or by receiving the title to the home, the lender wins both ways.

Obviously, a savvy business person would like the homeowner to be unable to pay back the loan or default on the loan terms, so that they can receive title on the property themselves. It's in the homeowner's best interest to pay their dues on the home and home tax loan, but if their financial situation was bad in the first place, there's is a chance it may not improve anytime soon in this economy. In many cases, all odds are against the homeowner.

A tax deed sale is different then a tax lien sale. The main detail the two hold in common is that they're both sold at local municipal government auctions. At a tax deed sale the municipality sells the actual property with title, with the top bid winning the rights to the property immediately. The current homeowners do not have an option to pay a new lender in an effort to maintain the property. Any outstanding liens and or penalities may or may not have to be honored as declared by the local or state governments. You can find which is the case beforehand by contacting these offices toavoid encountering any unexpected costs.

These government auction tax sale opportunities may be the best investments one can make because you actually have a house and/or property that either you own or have as collateral should your lien interest payments not be made. Just reflect on the amount of money you can make by purchasing a tax lien and charging high interest rates, or paying the defaulted taxes, receiving the house and either renting it for a monthly income or reselling it for a healthy profit. - 23159

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To find websites with the best tax lien and tax deed opportunities and receive a free Government Tax Liens Report visit property tax sales or to visit the sites's main page page click government auctions.