Investing Without Losing: The Tax Liens and Tax Deeds Guide

Tax Lien Resources - Investing Without Losing

2016-03-24T02:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Investing Without Losing, your ultimate resource to tax liens and alternative investments to Wall Street. Please note this site is a value added complementary addition for the book, Complete Guide to Real Estate Tax Liens and Foreclosure Deeds: Learn in 7 Days-Investing Without Losing Series.

You can directly ask the author, Don Sausa, questions about this book through the discussion board.

Upcoming Tax Lien Certificate Auction - St Johns County, Florida

2010-05-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

There's an upcoming tax lien certificate auction by St Johns County on June 1, 2010. All of this will be hosted online by SRI Services. You can access their site by going to www.sri-auctionsonline.com.

St. Johns County is a county located in northeastern Florida and has about 181,000 people. It is one of the highest-income counties in the United States and is home to Jacksonville Jaguars, an NFL team. St. Johns County is part of the Greater Jacksonville Metropolitan area, a region that has experienced explosive tremendous growth in the last ten years.

It is tax lien fraud and you may not know you are doing it

2010-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

One of the biggest mistakes that you could make is telling other bidders not to bid on particular properties that you like so prices do not go up.

This is considered illegal in most states. Be wary of folks doing it and inviting you to join in these types of conversations. Some new bidders may not know this and could be doing something illegal out of ignorance.

Here is a more recent example of this issue:

An attorney was sentenced on Tuesday to one year in jail and forced to $800,000 in criminal fine for rigging bids at tax lien auctions in Baltimore and five counties, officials said.

Harvey M. Nusbaum pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of conspiring to submit non-competitive and collusive bids at tax lien auctions, according to a release from the Department of Justice.

In this example, this individual was harshly punished by the Department of Justice because he was bid rigging and the fact that he was a lawyer. It wasn't ignorance. The moral of the story: bid fairly. Don't ask others "not to bid" on your favorite properties. Remember, unlike other investments, tax lien auctions are very transparent.

Colorado tax lien sales

2009-10-24T19:05:00.000-07:00

Colorado tax lien sales are going to put online in November 2009. For more information, please access the SRI auction site here:

https://www.sri-auctionsonline.com/

Pueblo County Tax Certificate Sale - October 13 - October 15

Jefferson County Tax Certificate Sale - October 22 - October 26

Alamosa County Tax Certificate Sale - November 10 - November 12

Costilla County Tax Certificate Sale - November 17 - November 19

Carleton Sheets names Don Sausa's real estate book #1 noteworthy read?

2009-06-15T03:43:00.001-07:00

Though I have no association to Carleton Sheets and his infomercials regarding real estate topics or seminars, I do appreciate being selected as the #1 "Noteworthy Real Estate Books" on his web site.

Thanks!

Don Sausa

June Florida Tax Liens Sales

2009-06-15T02:24:00.000-07:00

Counties across the state of Florida are fairly busy this month due to the amount of tax liens they are selling. One of the biggest counties selling tax lien certificates is the Miami Dade area. To access their link, you can find it here:

https://www.bidmiamidade.com/

There are also other counties, some in California, that's selling online. You can find an auction calendar on Bid4Assets available here:

http://www.bid4assets.com/help/index.cfm?fuseAction=TaxSale

Government HUD sales and foreclosures

2009-06-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other federal agencies have created one web site that lists all of their properties that are for sale. The web site can be found here:

http://www.homesales.gov/homesales/mainAction.do

The other site that's inter-linked is called: http://www.govsales.gov

Interestingly enough, they even have vehicles and international properties on here. A great find for anyone looking for bargain purchases! As always, please do your due diligence and continue to seek legal or professional counsel before attempting to purchase property.

Thanks! -Don Sausa

Marion County, FL Tax Deed Sale (Over the Counter)

2009-05-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Marion County Florida has tax deed sales available on this link below:

http://www.marioncountyclerk.org/public/index.cfm?Pg=ForeclosureSales

While you may not know the county, the county seat is Ocala. The county has roughly 316,183 in population. Marion County has warm temperatures throughout the year and like any place in Florida, it has no state income tax.

As always, please make sure to seek legal and professional consultations when investing in foreclosures. Do your proper diligence in tax deed sales.

New York Times article on tax liens

2009-01-21T00:07:00.000-08:00

Here's an interesting tax lien article on the New York Times. It was published in 1999. The title of the article is YOUR HOME; Tax Liens Can Enrich Investors.

A quick excerpt...

By JAY ROMANO
Published: August 15, 1999

ANYONE who has seriously contemplated making money in real estate has probably encountered the arcane but potentially profitable practice of investing in tax liens at public sales -- the legal process through which municipalities obtain payment of delinquent property taxes.

Real estate experts say it is possible to make a secure investment with a high rate of return in property tax liens, even for unsophisticated investors. And savvier, more careful and more knowledgeable investors can even obtain title to real estate for a small fraction of its market value by buying property at a tax foreclosure sale, the experts say.

Read more...

OTC Tax Deeds - Miami Dade County, FL

2009-01-05T04:11:00.000-08:00

Florida and Miami real estate investors, currently there is no upcoming tax deed auctions listed; however, there is an over the counter list available at the site. You can download it here.

You can purchase the deeds by going to 140 W. Flagler Street, Room 908, Miami, FL 33130. You can call (305) 375-5943 for more details.

Upcoming Tax Lien Auction - Navajo County, AZ

2009-01-05T02:02:00.001-08:00

February 10, 2009

Navajo County is having their tax lien sale on February 10, 2009.

The parcels and taxes available are from the Holbrook Tribune News.

Bids will be taken by bidder number which is provided at sign-in. If you have read my tax lien book which guides you through this process, you will find that there are a few things that they need:

1. Name(s) as it will appear on the Certificate.
2. Address & phone number.
3. Completed W9 form. (This is for the IRS. SSN, Business Tax ID/EID, or Tax ID for foreigners that do not have tax ids.)
4. You must have a bidder number for each entity for which you are purchasing. (Lots of realtors bid as proxies.)

For more information, you can contact:

Navajo County
Treasurer Office
100 East Carter Drive
South Highway 77
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Holbrook: (928) 524-4172
Fax: (928) 524-4211

Web site is available here.

Richard Davet fought Bank of America's foreclosure action for 11 years

2009-01-05T01:12:00.000-08:00

Just read up on this story about Richard Davet, an Ohio resident who fought off Nations Bank (Bank of America bought it out awhile back).

You see in 1996, he was served with a foreclosure lawsuit because he refused to pay late fees. He argued the bank calculated it incorrectly. The bank finally asked for the entire loan amount - which of course, he was not able to pay.

Most law firms that handle foreclosures go through hundreds if not thousands of them every year, and for the most part -- the homeowner does not fight off. Within eight months or less, the entire process is completed and the homeowner has to leave the home.

But Richard Davet, fought off -- for 11 years, filing motions, objections, and studying law at his local library. He did not make a single house payment until finally the courts sided with the bank. An interesting story of a man that stretched the law on his side, until it finally caught up with him.

I hope he saved enough to rent or buy another house. In my opinion, BoA should just have let him re-do the loan and agreed the late fees will be waived. Their fees and costs off this were off the roof!

How to Buy Houses At Auctions and Other Real Estate Videos on YouTube

2009-01-03T08:40:00.000-08:00

eHow and other YouTube contributors have created some good videos about how to buy houses at auctions, and how to do correct home inspections. Don't miss out on this by ignoring YouTube. All too often we hear YouTube only when new viral videos are out or there's a funny baby doing an awkward dance. In reality, many real estate gurus are going on YouTube to provide some valuable insights and of course, sell products.

For instance, on a video playing below (one of), it talks about investing in bank owned property, which you either buy with pre-approved loans or cash. The one presenting was a broker and while she leaned towards having real estate agents help you along the way (go figure), she did have common sense tips that you definitely need to take note of.

In short -- YouTube can be your friend too in your road to real estate investing!

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

U.S. commercial real estate taking a hit in 2009 -- tax liens potentially increasing

2009-01-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

With this economic recession, we all know that residential properties across the nation were struggling; however, there was one piece of good news -- commercial real estate continued to slowly grow or at the least, remain stagnant. But it is looking like commercial real estate is no longer going to be the protected from the storm.

According to Marcus & Millichap Real Estate Investment Services and National Real Estate Investor magazine, roughly 1,000 large commercial properties were already in default last year and the worst is yet to come! There's another 3,700 large commercial properties going belly up, potentially in 2009. That is roughly an $80 billion hit.

This is a direct consequence of restaurant chains closing, retail businesses cutting costs, and stopping expansions, and in some cases like Office Depot, Circuit City, Movie Gallery, and others -- closing stores.

But what does this mean to you the Investing Without Losing tax lien investor? You may start seeing...which a few years ago was unusual...tax liens on viable commercial property! Those that are backed by the bank are usually paid out in time, but some do slip through the cracks and get converted into tax deeds, which investors can buy cheaply.

While the prospect of having additional foreclosures is bad news for the current state that we are in, we should continue to look on the bright side. It provides others, those that saved and are properly leveraged, the ability to buy at discount and help communities recoup their much needed tax dollars for roads and other public services by investing in tax liens.

Thanks, -Don

Holiday Giveaway - Buy One Get Two

2008-12-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

It is the season of giving! Do you need a gift to give to someone? Why not buy yourself the complete guide to tax liens and tax deeds and at the same time give it to someone for free? We will send them a copy of the book if you purchase one in your name, for free!

Mechanics

All you need to do is forward your receipt (proof of purchase) by forwarding your e-mail receipt that most electronic book stores give to you. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and others give you electronic receipts when you purchase online.

Forward the electronic receipts to landtrades [at] gmail.com and make sure you include the address of where you want the free book to go to.

Expires Dec 31, 2010.

Purpose
To thank the readers and as gesture of the holidays, we are giving these books for free to your love ones this Christmas and New Year! Share the knowledge -- it is the biggest you can give this season.

Merry Christmas!

-Don

Upcoming REO Sales - Dallas, Texas Foreclosures List

2008-09-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

There were requests sent over via the discussion group asking for Dallas, Texas foreclosures. I have listed some below that's REO owned (bank foreclosures). The phone numbers and name to contact is at the end.

243123 DALLAS 11408 GATEWOOD DRIVE ,
DALLAS , TX 75218 DALLAS SFR NED CAMMACK
214-707-4066
request info $54,899
258362 DALLAS 1239 CLEARDALE DRIVE ,
DALLAS , TX 75232 DALLAS SFR RON CORLEY
214-371-2246
request info $69,900
258172 DALLAS 1306 GRINNELL ST ,
DALLAS , TX 75216 DALLAS SFR RON CORLEY
214-371-2246
request info $27,900
211550 DALLAS 1519 DOYLE AVE. ,
DALLAS , TX 75203 DALLAS SFR MARIA ZAMORA
214-560-0205
request info $23,900
269552 DALLAS 1607 BOCA CHICA DRIVE ,
DALLAS , TX 75232 DALLAS SFR LOGAN WALLER
214-818-4129
request info $113,900
278762 DALLAS 1706 CARAVAN TRAIL ,
DALLAS , TX 75241 DALLAS SFR MAURINE SKEETERS
214-564-4799
request info $59,900
204057 DALLAS 2252 WESTERN PARK PL ,
DALLAS , TX 75211 DALLAS SFR CON RYAN
972-224-9221
request info $58,900
278515 DALLAS 2350 HIGHLAND ROAD ,
DALLAS , TX 75228 DALLAS SFR REBECCA HILL
817-701-4903
request info $64,900
279153 DALLAS 2415 KAHN ST ,
DALLAS , TX 75241 DALLAS SFR JEFF STONE
972-907-0000
request info $30,900

ROI Calculator for Tax Liens

2008-09-03T09:15:00.001-07:00

Some have reported with issues downloading the template spreadsheet. I have uploaded a new spreadsheet from Investment Hunters Group. It is located here:

http://groups.google.com/group/taxliens/files?hl=en

Upcoming Auctions - Florida - Tax Deed Sales

2008-06-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

July - Walton, FL

W2 OF NW4 OR 764-41. Parcel Number: 32-5N-21-39000-008-0010
$1,241.59

LOT 3 CYPRESS DUNES PH II PB 16 PG 71. Parcel Number: 32-2S-20-33305-000-0030
$5,143.50

Click here for more information.

July - Brevard County

There will be a Tax Deed Sale held July 17, 2008 which is the third Thursday in the Month of July, at
8:30 a.m., at the Brevard County Government Center- North, 518 South Palm Avenue, Brevard Room,
Titusville, Florida.

Click here for more information. There are 69 properties.

Why do people buy weird lots?

2008-06-13T04:51:00.000-07:00

Lancaster stands to make roughly a $347,000 profit on the sale of three properties that will become a new parking area, a new house and part of an existing house lot.

Town Administrator Orlando Pacheco said May 19 that selectmen had received a $155,000 bid for 1.9 acres on Narrow Lane, a $162,000 offer for 4.5 acres on Brockelman Road and a $30,000 bid for 7.42 acres on Hilltop Road. The lands are currently owned by the town.

“It’s surplus property and it not only made sense to dispose ourselves of the liability of maintaining them, but also get back them back on the tax rolls, which means that someone will be paying taxes on it, where when the town owns the property the town doesn’t pay taxes on it,” said Pacheco.

The Southern New England Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist church placed a bid on the buildable Narrow Lane parcel.

“They are hoping to use it as parking space,” said Pacheco. “They have a large annual meeting and run into space issues.”

Duval County's 2008 Tax Certificate Sale

2008-05-24T09:06:00.000-07:00

Duval County is a county located on the east coast of Florida. The census puts it at 778,000 people. Duval is mainly known for its county seat which is Jacksonville. They are holding tax sale certificates online. For more information, see the data below.

Auctions open on 5/13/08.
Auctions end on 5/30/08.

Duval County, FL

Investors! Need your help in Burma!

2008-05-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

Luke 12:48, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..."

ADRA is already responding. Help us.

Interview
May 16, 2008

As told by TEDDY DINH (Associate Country Director for ADRA Myanmar)

"Everything is lost. Everything," said Teddy Dinh, associate country director for ADRA Myanmar, in a telephone interview in which he recounted his near death experience in the Irrawady Delta when Cyclone Nargis came ashore.
What is left of the hospital in Piyansalu. ADRA is providing food to the survivors in this area.

When the cyclone hit, Teddy and his staff were busy constructing a jetty as part of a tsunami rehabilitation project in Amageley village in Pyinsalu Sub-Township, a distant patchwork of islands and rivers in the extreme south of the delta region. Although the storm grew near on Friday, May 2, Dinh and his staff continued their work despite hearing radio reports of 50-60 mph winds. Even as news of strengthening winds continued, they remained certain that the storm would pass south of their location, and that the impact of the cyclone would not amount to much.

Around 3 p.m., and with winds starting to blow stronger, it became apparent to them that the storm would in fact be serious, if not deadly.

"We have to run," his staff insisted.

Teddy grabbed a sleeping bag and a blanket, and together with his son and his staff began looking for a hiding place to ride out the storm. By now, it was obvious that they would not be able to escape the approaching storm. The boat they planned to use was gone. Trying to run was not possible either, as the winds were too strong, and they could not even open their eyes. They managed to run to a rice storage facility, packed with seven or eight feet of rice, where they took shelter with 150 other people.

Through the evening the water level around them continued to climb. When the water reached the building, it rose to three or four feet above the rice.

"It was like a tsunami," he said.

Outside, the winds had reached cyclonic speeds. He and others inside the warehouse held onto posts to avoid being blown away. They remained hiding from 5 p.m. until midnight, when the storm began to subside, and the water level started to recede. At that point, they decided to look for a new place to hide, and went to a Baptist church in the village where they could spend the rest of the night.
People in the Labutta camps using the cooking equipment distributed by ADRA to cook the rice that is also being distributed by ADRA

"It is normally a 10 minute trip," he said. "But this time it took hours, because of all of the debris on the road."

When they arrived at the church, they found nothing but devastation, as the building had been completely flattened by the cyclone, with the bodies of 25 people, mostly women and children, still inside. They walked on, finally finding shelter in a partially collapsed building, where they huddled together with other survivors, waiting for dawn to arrive.

When Saturday morning came, they returned to the church where they found the dead. They dug a mass grave and buried all the bodies in it.
Streets in Labutta are crowded with people who have lost everything ADRA prepares to distribute medical aid

Dinh, his son, and staff were very hungry and thirsty, since they had not eaten any food since Friday. They drank coconut water and ate the meat from the top of the coconut. Some of the other survivors ate the meat of the livestock carcasses lying in the streets.

By 6 p.m., Dinh had arrived on foot at another village. Here, he borrowed a boat and returned to Piensalu to look for the rest of his staff. When he arrived, there was complete devastation. Nearly everything was destroyed and many bodies were floating in the water. The staff, however, had only suffered minor cuts.

Despite the tragedy, Dinh remains undaunted.

"The staff really feels the need to help the people there," he said, "and every day they travel back to Piensalu helping to clean, distribute food, and transport people back to Labutta, and Myaungmya."

ADRA is already responding. Help us.

Frederick County, MD releases 2008 tax sale list

2008-05-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

Frederick County will hold a tax sale auction next month, following the release today of a list containing hundreds of properties whose owners have not paid taxes or other charges this year.

The county will ask people interested in bidding on the liens to provide a $1,000 deposit. If the person buys a lien, the amount will be put toward taxes owed. If the person does not buy a lien, the fee will be refunded in full.

Lori L. Decker, CPA
Director of Treasury
30 N. Market Street
Frederick, MD 21701
Ph: (301) 600-1111

URL: http://www.co.frederick.md.us/index.asp?NID=69

Ipswich, Massachusetts Foreclosure Sale - May 7

2008-05-01T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ipswich - For the first time in at least 25 years, a house in Ipswich is going on the block in a tax title auction. It's one of six properties that will be up for bid May 7. The other five are empty lots.

Contact info: www.town.ipswich.ma.us

Tips from successful tax deed investor in Tampa

2008-03-31T09:29:00.000-07:00

Read this balanced article covering a good tax deed investor in Florida. This was by Highlands Today newspaper. Due diligence like in any investment is the difference between profit and loss and this investor has a knack for finding the right properties.

If a tax deed investor pays $4,000 for a Sun'N Lake of Lake Placid lot, he may need to hold it for three years or more, but he can expect to sell it for $8,000 or better, Hill said.

Three to five years ago, when the real estate market was hot, 50 to 100 bidders came to Highlands County Clerk of Courts auctions.

"Some of them were offering more than was owed on the property," said Bob Germaine, senior director of court services.

Hill said he's already sold 40 lots. "More than anyone else this year."

Last year, he turned 196 lots, along with a few houses and commercial properties.

But, said Hill, speculators may have to sit on their investments for two or three years.

Puerto Rico Foreclosures

2008-03-28T05:48:00.001-07:00

If you are interested in Puerto Rico tax deeds/foreclosures, take a look at this site and click on the island (its the one that says PR). They list some properties here from time to time that are from county foreclosures:

http://www.ocwen.com/reo/residential/res_reofindbystate.cfm

P.S. I know most of you know, but Puerto Rico is still in the United States. Just an FYI since some people didn't know Key West was in the United States.