Tax Lien versus Tax Deeds and How to Purchase a House for Under $2K
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!
The local government will arrange a tax lien sale, where the public can bid on the right to provide the homeowner a loan in lieu of the home and/or commercial property. In return, the homeowner must pay the winning bidder back the full principle with interest, by a specific date. Both parties must agree with the terms and the date.
If the homeowner fails to pay back the lender, the lender then has every right to foreclose the property and to transfer the title in their name. In order for the homeowner to remain on the title, the owner must keep up with the payments on the new tax lien loan. The lender will charge the homeowner a predetermined interest rate which is much higher then the going mortgage rate in return for saving their home.
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.
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