Tax deed and tax lien FAQ<\/h1><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"Tax](\"https:\/\/thejackiejackson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/faq-frequently-asked-questions_featured-1200x630-1.jpg\" "\\"Tax")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>Tax deed and tax lien basics<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>These answers are general education, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax deed is the document that makes you the owner of a property the county sold for unpaid property taxes. You get it by winning the tax deed sale, which most people call the tax deed auction.<\/p>\n
The bidding starts at what’s owed: the back taxes, interest, and the county’s fees. In most cases the sale also wipes out the mortgage and a lot of other liens, but some can survive, so research the title before you bid. Never Bid Blind.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax lien certificate?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien certificate is a claim the county sells to an investor for a property’s unpaid taxes. You pay the tax bill, and the owner has to pay you back with the interest or penalty set by state law.<\/p>\n
You don’t own the property. You own the debt. If the owner pays it off (called redeeming), you get your money back plus interest. If they don’t pay by the end of the redemption period, you may be able to start the process to get the deed. Some states auction certificates by bidding the interest rate down, so what you earn depends on the bidding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What's the difference between a tax lien and a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien gives you the right to collect the unpaid taxes plus interest. A tax deed gives you the property itself.<\/p>\n
Think of the lien investor as the bank. You wait, and most owners pay you back with interest. The deed investor is the new owner, so the title work, the repairs, any occupants, and the resale are all on you. I always tell students to pick the goal first. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax deed sale is a county auction for properties with unpaid taxes, and the highest bidder walks away with the tax deed. Bidding opens at the amount owed, meaning the back taxes, interest, and fees.<\/p>\n
For my students it usually goes like this. The county puts out its sale list. You register, put down a deposit, and research every property you like, then you bid in person or online. Win, and you pay the rest by the county’s deadline, which can be tight, so have your money lined up before sale day. Anything paid above the opening bid turns into surplus funds for the former owner and lienholders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax lien certificates work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien certificate comes out of an unpaid tax bill. The county sells it, usually at auction, and the investor who buys it pays those taxes. To clear the lien, the owner has to pay the investor back, with interest.<\/p>\n
Your state decides the top interest rate and how long the owner gets to pay, which is the redemption period. Most certificates do get paid off and you collect your interest. If one doesn’t, you may be able to apply for a tax deed or foreclose, depending on the state. Some liens sit on land nobody wants, so research the property before you bid on the lien too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Which states are tax deed states, and which are tax lien states?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nEvery state picks its own system. Lien states sell certificates for the unpaid taxes. Deed states sell the property itself. A few are hybrids that use a redeemable deed, so the owner can still buy the property back for a while after the sale. And Florida does both: tax lien certificates first, tax deed sales later.<\/p>\n
Rules change, and 2 counties in the same state can run their sales completely differently. My Tax Lien & Tax Deed States Cheatsheet covers all 50 states: the type of sale, when each state holds its auctions, redemption periods, interest rates, and links to each state’s laws.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Get the States Cheatsheet<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work in Florida?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nFlorida runs both kinds of sales. Every year, around June 1, the counties sell tax certificates on the unpaid property taxes. Bidders compete by bidding the interest rate down, starting at 18%, the most the state allows. Once a certificate is about 2 years old and the taxes still aren’t paid, the holder can apply for a tax deed, and the clerk puts the property up at a tax deed auction.<\/p>\n
Most Florida counties hold these auctions online now, many on county sites ending in realtaxdeed.com. The owner can still redeem until the winning bidder pays in full. Properties that get no bids can end up on the county’s lands available list, where you can buy them over the counter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a redemption period?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nThe redemption period is the time a property owner has to pay the delinquent taxes, plus interest and fees, and keep the property. In tax lien states, it usually runs from about 6 months to 3 years, depending on the state.<\/p>\n
During that time, the lien holder generally waits. You can’t take the property or make the owner leave. Some tax deed states also give the owner a right to redeem after the sale, so read the state law before you bid. In Florida, the owner can redeem up until the tax deed buyer pays in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>Buying and investing<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I buy tax lien properties as a beginner?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nWhen people say tax lien properties, they usually mean 1 of 2 things: buying the tax lien certificate, or buying the property itself at a tax deed sale. So start with your goal. Decide whether you want interest from liens or ownership from deeds, and how much money you can set aside. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n
Then follow the county’s process: read the sale terms, register as a bidder, pay any deposit, research every property, set your maximum bid, and stick to it. Tax Deed Genius Lite is my 2-week beginner course for $197, and Tax Deed Genius covers the full process.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Tax Deed Genius Lite<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/i>Tax Deed Genius<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I find tax deed auctions and tax lien properties for sale?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nGo straight to the county. Depending on the state, the tax collector, the treasurer, or the clerk of court posts the auction dates and the property list, and the list usually shows up a few weeks ahead. I type the county name plus “tax deed sale” (or “tax lien sale”) into Google and look for the county’s own website.<\/p>\n
Many counties run their auctions on online auction sites, and the county’s page links to the right one. Paid list services can save time, but check their data against the county’s records. Some counties also sell leftover properties over the counter, like Florida’s lands available list.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you buy tax deeds or tax liens online?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nYes. A lot of counties now hold tax deed and tax lien auctions online, including most counties in Florida. You register on the auction website, pay a deposit, and bid from home.<\/p>\n
Bidding from your couch is convenient, but it’s also how people end up with a lot they’ve never seen. The auction site shows a parcel number and an opening bid, and that’s about it, so do your research first. Each county sets its own deposit, payment deadline, and bidding rules, and I read them for every sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Are tax liens and tax deeds a good investment?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nThey can be, if you research first and buy with a plan. Liens pay interest at a rate set by state law. Deeds can get you real estate for less than it’s worth. But I won’t tell you either one is risk-free, and nobody can promise you a profit.<\/p>\n
What separates a good buy from a bad one is the research. Cheap doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Investing on my own cost me $120,000 before I found a mentor and learned to research first and follow a plan. Winning the auction doesn’t mean you won the investment.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Read the Full Pros and Cons<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you lose money investing in tax liens? What are the risks?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nYes, you can lose money. The most common risks are buying a property you didn’t research, bidding too high, liens that survive the sale, title problems that block a resale, land nobody wants, code violations, and occupants who won’t leave.<\/p>\n
With tax liens, an owner’s bankruptcy can delay your payoff, and some liens sit on property that isn’t worth taking. I walk through real examples in my video Tax Deed Horror Stories. Due diligence isn’t about proving you should buy. It’s about discovering why you shouldn’t.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Watch Tax Deed Horror Stories<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>What happens after you buy a tax deed property?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nAfter you pay, the county issues and records the tax deed in your name, and you own the property. Most of the time, there’s still work to do before you can sell it or get title insurance.<\/p>\n
Your first job is the title search. You’re looking for liens that survived and any other title defects. A lot of title companies won’t insure a tax deed right away, so many buyers file a quiet title action, which is a court case that confirms you own it free and clear. If someone still lives there, go through your state’s legal process to get possession. Please don’t change the locks on an occupied home yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Does a tax deed wipe out the mortgage?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nIn most states, yes. A tax deed sale usually wipes out the mortgage and most other private liens, because property taxes come first. The former owner still owes the mortgage debt, but it doesn’t follow the property to you.<\/p>\n
Not everything goes away, though. Some government liens can stick, like certain code enforcement or city liens. And if there’s a federal tax lien, the IRS has 120 days after the sale to redeem the property. Check the state law and the title before you bid. I explain 4 types of liens that can survive in this video.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/div><\/div>Tax deed and tax lien basics<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>These answers are general education, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax deed is the document that makes you the owner of a property the county sold for unpaid property taxes. You get it by winning the tax deed sale, which most people call the tax deed auction.<\/p>\n
The bidding starts at what’s owed: the back taxes, interest, and the county’s fees. In most cases the sale also wipes out the mortgage and a lot of other liens, but some can survive, so research the title before you bid. Never Bid Blind.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax lien certificate?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien certificate is a claim the county sells to an investor for a property’s unpaid taxes. You pay the tax bill, and the owner has to pay you back with the interest or penalty set by state law.<\/p>\n
You don’t own the property. You own the debt. If the owner pays it off (called redeeming), you get your money back plus interest. If they don’t pay by the end of the redemption period, you may be able to start the process to get the deed. Some states auction certificates by bidding the interest rate down, so what you earn depends on the bidding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What's the difference between a tax lien and a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien gives you the right to collect the unpaid taxes plus interest. A tax deed gives you the property itself.<\/p>\n
Think of the lien investor as the bank. You wait, and most owners pay you back with interest. The deed investor is the new owner, so the title work, the repairs, any occupants, and the resale are all on you. I always tell students to pick the goal first. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax deed sale is a county auction for properties with unpaid taxes, and the highest bidder walks away with the tax deed. Bidding opens at the amount owed, meaning the back taxes, interest, and fees.<\/p>\n
For my students it usually goes like this. The county puts out its sale list. You register, put down a deposit, and research every property you like, then you bid in person or online. Win, and you pay the rest by the county’s deadline, which can be tight, so have your money lined up before sale day. Anything paid above the opening bid turns into surplus funds for the former owner and lienholders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax lien certificates work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nA tax lien certificate comes out of an unpaid tax bill. The county sells it, usually at auction, and the investor who buys it pays those taxes. To clear the lien, the owner has to pay the investor back, with interest.<\/p>\n
Your state decides the top interest rate and how long the owner gets to pay, which is the redemption period. Most certificates do get paid off and you collect your interest. If one doesn’t, you may be able to apply for a tax deed or foreclose, depending on the state. Some liens sit on land nobody wants, so research the property before you bid on the lien too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Which states are tax deed states, and which are tax lien states?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nEvery state picks its own system. Lien states sell certificates for the unpaid taxes. Deed states sell the property itself. A few are hybrids that use a redeemable deed, so the owner can still buy the property back for a while after the sale. And Florida does both: tax lien certificates first, tax deed sales later.<\/p>\n
Rules change, and 2 counties in the same state can run their sales completely differently. My Tax Lien & Tax Deed States Cheatsheet covers all 50 states: the type of sale, when each state holds its auctions, redemption periods, interest rates, and links to each state’s laws.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Get the States Cheatsheet<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work in Florida?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nFlorida runs both kinds of sales. Every year, around June 1, the counties sell tax certificates on the unpaid property taxes. Bidders compete by bidding the interest rate down, starting at 18%, the most the state allows. Once a certificate is about 2 years old and the taxes still aren’t paid, the holder can apply for a tax deed, and the clerk puts the property up at a tax deed auction.<\/p>\n
Most Florida counties hold these auctions online now, many on county sites ending in realtaxdeed.com. The owner can still redeem until the winning bidder pays in full. Properties that get no bids can end up on the county’s lands available list, where you can buy them over the counter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a redemption period?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nThe redemption period is the time a property owner has to pay the delinquent taxes, plus interest and fees, and keep the property. In tax lien states, it usually runs from about 6 months to 3 years, depending on the state.<\/p>\n
During that time, the lien holder generally waits. You can’t take the property or make the owner leave. Some tax deed states also give the owner a right to redeem after the sale, so read the state law before you bid. In Florida, the owner can redeem up until the tax deed buyer pays in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/span>Buying and investing<\/span><\/h2><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I buy tax lien properties as a beginner?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nWhen people say tax lien properties, they usually mean 1 of 2 things: buying the tax lien certificate, or buying the property itself at a tax deed sale. So start with your goal. Decide whether you want interest from liens or ownership from deeds, and how much money you can set aside. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n
Then follow the county’s process: read the sale terms, register as a bidder, pay any deposit, research every property, set your maximum bid, and stick to it. Tax Deed Genius Lite is my 2-week beginner course for $197, and Tax Deed Genius covers the full process.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Tax Deed Genius Lite<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/i>Tax Deed Genius<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I find tax deed auctions and tax lien properties for sale?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nGo straight to the county. Depending on the state, the tax collector, the treasurer, or the clerk of court posts the auction dates and the property list, and the list usually shows up a few weeks ahead. I type the county name plus “tax deed sale” (or “tax lien sale”) into Google and look for the county’s own website.<\/p>\n
Many counties run their auctions on online auction sites, and the county’s page links to the right one. Paid list services can save time, but check their data against the county’s records. Some counties also sell leftover properties over the counter, like Florida’s lands available list.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you buy tax deeds or tax liens online?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nYes. A lot of counties now hold tax deed and tax lien auctions online, including most counties in Florida. You register on the auction website, pay a deposit, and bid from home.<\/p>\n
Bidding from your couch is convenient, but it’s also how people end up with a lot they’ve never seen. The auction site shows a parcel number and an opening bid, and that’s about it, so do your research first. Each county sets its own deposit, payment deadline, and bidding rules, and I read them for every sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Are tax liens and tax deeds a good investment?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nThey can be, if you research first and buy with a plan. Liens pay interest at a rate set by state law. Deeds can get you real estate for less than it’s worth. But I won’t tell you either one is risk-free, and nobody can promise you a profit.<\/p>\n
What separates a good buy from a bad one is the research. Cheap doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Investing on my own cost me $120,000 before I found a mentor and learned to research first and follow a plan. Winning the auction doesn’t mean you won the investment.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Read the Full Pros and Cons<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you lose money investing in tax liens? What are the risks?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nYes, you can lose money. The most common risks are buying a property you didn’t research, bidding too high, liens that survive the sale, title problems that block a resale, land nobody wants, code violations, and occupants who won’t leave.<\/p>\n
With tax liens, an owner’s bankruptcy can delay your payoff, and some liens sit on property that isn’t worth taking. I walk through real examples in my video Tax Deed Horror Stories. Due diligence isn’t about proving you should buy. It’s about discovering why you shouldn’t.<\/p>\n
<\/i>Watch Tax Deed Horror Stories<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/i><\/i><\/span>What happens after you buy a tax deed property?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nAfter you pay, the county issues and records the tax deed in your name, and you own the property. Most of the time, there’s still work to do before you can sell it or get title insurance.<\/p>\n
Your first job is the title search. You’re looking for liens that survived and any other title defects. A lot of title companies won’t insure a tax deed right away, so many buyers file a quiet title action, which is a court case that confirms you own it free and clear. If someone still lives there, go through your state’s legal process to get possession. Please don’t change the locks on an occupied home yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Does a tax deed wipe out the mortgage?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>\nIn most states, yes. A tax deed sale usually wipes out the mortgage and most other private liens, because property taxes come first. The former owner still owes the mortgage debt, but it doesn’t follow the property to you.<\/p>\n
Not everything goes away, though. Some government liens can stick, like certain code enforcement or city liens. And if there’s a federal tax lien, the IRS has 120 days after the sale to redeem the property. Check the state law and the title before you bid. I explain 4 types of liens that can survive in this video.<\/p>\n
These answers are general education, not legal advice. Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> A tax deed is the document that makes you the owner of a property the county sold for unpaid property taxes. You get it by winning the tax deed sale, which most people call the tax deed auction.<\/p>\n The bidding starts at what’s owed: the back taxes, interest, and the county’s fees. In most cases the sale also wipes out the mortgage and a lot of other liens, but some can survive, so research the title before you bid. Never Bid Blind.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A tax lien certificate is a claim the county sells to an investor for a property’s unpaid taxes. You pay the tax bill, and the owner has to pay you back with the interest or penalty set by state law.<\/p>\n You don’t own the property. You own the debt. If the owner pays it off (called redeeming), you get your money back plus interest. If they don’t pay by the end of the redemption period, you may be able to start the process to get the deed. Some states auction certificates by bidding the interest rate down, so what you earn depends on the bidding.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A tax lien gives you the right to collect the unpaid taxes plus interest. A tax deed gives you the property itself.<\/p>\n Think of the lien investor as the bank. You wait, and most owners pay you back with interest. The deed investor is the new owner, so the title work, the repairs, any occupants, and the resale are all on you. I always tell students to pick the goal first. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A tax deed sale is a county auction for properties with unpaid taxes, and the highest bidder walks away with the tax deed. Bidding opens at the amount owed, meaning the back taxes, interest, and fees.<\/p>\n For my students it usually goes like this. The county puts out its sale list. You register, put down a deposit, and research every property you like, then you bid in person or online. Win, and you pay the rest by the county’s deadline, which can be tight, so have your money lined up before sale day. Anything paid above the opening bid turns into surplus funds for the former owner and lienholders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> A tax lien certificate comes out of an unpaid tax bill. The county sells it, usually at auction, and the investor who buys it pays those taxes. To clear the lien, the owner has to pay the investor back, with interest.<\/p>\n Your state decides the top interest rate and how long the owner gets to pay, which is the redemption period. Most certificates do get paid off and you collect your interest. If one doesn’t, you may be able to apply for a tax deed or foreclose, depending on the state. Some liens sit on land nobody wants, so research the property before you bid on the lien too.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Every state picks its own system. Lien states sell certificates for the unpaid taxes. Deed states sell the property itself. A few are hybrids that use a redeemable deed, so the owner can still buy the property back for a while after the sale. And Florida does both: tax lien certificates first, tax deed sales later.<\/p>\n Rules change, and 2 counties in the same state can run their sales completely differently. My Tax Lien & Tax Deed States Cheatsheet covers all 50 states: the type of sale, when each state holds its auctions, redemption periods, interest rates, and links to each state’s laws.<\/p>\n Florida runs both kinds of sales. Every year, around June 1, the counties sell tax certificates on the unpaid property taxes. Bidders compete by bidding the interest rate down, starting at 18%, the most the state allows. Once a certificate is about 2 years old and the taxes still aren’t paid, the holder can apply for a tax deed, and the clerk puts the property up at a tax deed auction.<\/p>\n Most Florida counties hold these auctions online now, many on county sites ending in realtaxdeed.com. The owner can still redeem until the winning bidder pays in full. Properties that get no bids can end up on the county’s lands available list, where you can buy them over the counter.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The redemption period is the time a property owner has to pay the delinquent taxes, plus interest and fees, and keep the property. In tax lien states, it usually runs from about 6 months to 3 years, depending on the state.<\/p>\n During that time, the lien holder generally waits. You can’t take the property or make the owner leave. Some tax deed states also give the owner a right to redeem after the sale, so read the state law before you bid. In Florida, the owner can redeem up until the tax deed buyer pays in full.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Rules vary by state and county, so check the county’s current terms before you bid.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div> When people say tax lien properties, they usually mean 1 of 2 things: buying the tax lien certificate, or buying the property itself at a tax deed sale. So start with your goal. Decide whether you want interest from liens or ownership from deeds, and how much money you can set aside. Goal Before Geography.\u2122<\/p>\n Then follow the county’s process: read the sale terms, register as a bidder, pay any deposit, research every property, set your maximum bid, and stick to it. Tax Deed Genius Lite is my 2-week beginner course for $197, and Tax Deed Genius covers the full process.<\/p>\n Go straight to the county. Depending on the state, the tax collector, the treasurer, or the clerk of court posts the auction dates and the property list, and the list usually shows up a few weeks ahead. I type the county name plus “tax deed sale” (or “tax lien sale”) into Google and look for the county’s own website.<\/p>\n Many counties run their auctions on online auction sites, and the county’s page links to the right one. Paid list services can save time, but check their data against the county’s records. Some counties also sell leftover properties over the counter, like Florida’s lands available list.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Yes. A lot of counties now hold tax deed and tax lien auctions online, including most counties in Florida. You register on the auction website, pay a deposit, and bid from home.<\/p>\n Bidding from your couch is convenient, but it’s also how people end up with a lot they’ve never seen. The auction site shows a parcel number and an opening bid, and that’s about it, so do your research first. Each county sets its own deposit, payment deadline, and bidding rules, and I read them for every sale.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> They can be, if you research first and buy with a plan. Liens pay interest at a rate set by state law. Deeds can get you real estate for less than it’s worth. But I won’t tell you either one is risk-free, and nobody can promise you a profit.<\/p>\n What separates a good buy from a bad one is the research. Cheap doesn’t mean it’s a deal. Investing on my own cost me $120,000 before I found a mentor and learned to research first and follow a plan. Winning the auction doesn’t mean you won the investment.<\/p>\n Yes, you can lose money. The most common risks are buying a property you didn’t research, bidding too high, liens that survive the sale, title problems that block a resale, land nobody wants, code violations, and occupants who won’t leave.<\/p>\n With tax liens, an owner’s bankruptcy can delay your payoff, and some liens sit on property that isn’t worth taking. I walk through real examples in my video Tax Deed Horror Stories. Due diligence isn’t about proving you should buy. It’s about discovering why you shouldn’t.<\/p>\n After you pay, the county issues and records the tax deed in your name, and you own the property. Most of the time, there’s still work to do before you can sell it or get title insurance.<\/p>\n Your first job is the title search. You’re looking for liens that survived and any other title defects. A lot of title companies won’t insure a tax deed right away, so many buyers file a quiet title action, which is a court case that confirms you own it free and clear. If someone still lives there, go through your state’s legal process to get possession. Please don’t change the locks on an occupied home yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> In most states, yes. A tax deed sale usually wipes out the mortgage and most other private liens, because property taxes come first. The former owner still owes the mortgage debt, but it doesn’t follow the property to you.<\/p>\n Not everything goes away, though. Some government liens can stick, like certain code enforcement or city liens. And if there’s a federal tax lien, the IRS has 120 days after the sale to redeem the property. Check the state law and the title before you bid. I explain 4 types of liens that can survive in this video.<\/p>\n<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a tax lien certificate?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What's the difference between a tax lien and a tax deed?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax lien certificates work?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Which states are tax deed states, and which are tax lien states?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do tax deed sales work in Florida?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What is a redemption period?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
Buying and investing<\/span><\/h2><\/span>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I buy tax lien properties as a beginner?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>How do I find tax deed auctions and tax lien properties for sale?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you buy tax deeds or tax liens online?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Are tax liens and tax deeds a good investment?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Can you lose money investing in tax liens? What are the risks?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>What happens after you buy a tax deed property?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>
<\/i><\/i><\/span>Does a tax deed wipe out the mortgage?<\/span><\/a><\/h4><\/div>