I’ll show you how to buy tax lien certificates online in 3 simple steps.
The topics I’m going to cover are:
More Counties are Selling Tax Liens Online
Why are more and more communities are moving to online property tax auctions, and what is the advantage of buying tax lien certificates online? Because it opens the sale to people all over the world. The more people who attend an auction, the more the local community can get from the sale.
When you buy tax lien certificates online, the sale truly becomes public as this allows anyone in the world with an Internet connection to bid.
Emmetsburg, IO, is one of those communities that has switched to online auctions. Palo Alto County Treasurer Robin Jamison discussed the decision in an Emmetsburg Reporter/Democrat news article.
“If a person wants to bid, they have to sign up prior to the auction, and then they can bid on a parcel in the amount of the unpaid taxes. If there are two bids, the computer will randomly select the winning bidder. We were told about this method at the Treasurer’s School and a lot of counties are using this method,” she said.
While the auction is online, people can go to the tax office, but still have to bid for tax lien certificates online.
A news release on the Iowa Treasurer website states, “If you wish to attend the sale in person, a limited number of computers will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Wireless internet access will be available if you wish to bring your own laptop. Please note, all bids must be placed online. Live bids will not be accepted.”
Step 1: Find Tax Lien Properties for Sale
If you plan to buy tax lien certificates online or a tax deed at an auction, you have to find the sale first. A few good ways to do it are:
• Search Google news using the keywords “online property tax sale.” This will give you the most recent news about these kinds of sales. You will find news stories about sales that just happened and how much was collected. You’ll also see stories about upcoming sales.
• Contact tax offices in various counties to find out what kind of sale they have and when these sales are held. They may not be able to tell you the exact date of the next sale, but they should be able to give you an idea.
• Search each state’s Department of Revenue for information about such sales. California lets local tax officials decide how to have their sales. Some do online, some do in person. Some require auction registration, some don’t.
• Look for a Public Notice for each state. Property tax sales are advertised in the local newspaper, but they are increasingly listed in a statewide public notice website. Nebraska, for example, has Nebraska Public Notices operated by the Nebraska Press Association. The press association in each state commonly offers this no-charge service to the public.
The public notice website lists current sales and notices for past sales. It’s not going to tell when future sales will be held. You’ll have to check back regularly or set up an alert, if available, through the website.
Step 2: Register for Online Tax Lien Auctions
The Emmtsburg newspaper notes the sale there requires registration. Reporter Dan Voigt wrote, “Bidders must go to the Iowa County Treasurer’s website in order to register. There is a fee to register for bidding.” While the fee may or may not be a requirement for an online tax auction elsewhere, registration is required for online tax auctions.
The registration fee varies. Kentucky has a $250 statewide registration fee, but it only applies after you meet one or more three criteria. The Department of Revenue lists these as:
- Buying more than three liens in any one county;
- Buying more than five liens across the whole state;
- Buying more than $10,000 in liens.
New Orleans began an online tax sale system in March 2015.
Plumas County, CA, does not require a registration fee, but bidders must still register.
Think of it from the tax office’s point of view. The tax collector needs guarantees that the buyers are:
- Legitimate;
- Have the funds to bid;
- Will follow through on a winning bid.
If you have ever attempted to sell something online through Facebook forums, eBay or other sales websites, you know the aggravation of someone saying “I want that” and setting up a way to pay for it, but then not completing the sale. Tax collectors are not willing to put up with nonsense like that. Taxes are serious business and communities need that revenue to offer services to the citizens.
The local tax office can tell you what the registration fee is and when it has to be paid.
Know the rules!
Step 3: Complete the Sale When You Buy a Tax Lien
When you win a sale, pay for it. In Louisiana, the Jefferson Parish tax office conducts tax lien certificates online sales. The website says, “Payment is for the full purchase price at the time of sale unless otherwise noted in advertisement.”
Increasingly, online auctions are moving to an immediate or near-immediate payment method from people who are not physically present. Electronic checks and wiring the money are the preferred methods with the electronic check being most common.
Broward County, FL allows 48 hours to pay for the winning bid at a tax lien certificate auction through the Automated Clearing House network.
If the tax office is close enough to reach in a short amount of time, you may be able to drive over and pay for it in person. If the auction requires immediate payment, like an electronic check, this may not be possible.
Several counties require deposits with a bidder registration. If you buy something in the auction and don’t pay for it, the tax office keeps your deposit and may even take legal action against you. To be sure, you’re not likely to be allowed to bid on any more auctions in that municipality. If you don’t win the auction, deposits can be returned.
Learn How to Profit From Buying Tax Lien Certificates
We hope you enjoyed Ted’s lesson, “Buy Tax Lien Certificates Online in 3 Easy Steps”
Buying property tax deeds and tax lien certificates online takes just a little bit more than attending an auction in person, but it is not difficult. If you can use a web browser and can send money online, you can do it.
The world of property tax investing is a lucrative investment field, paying interest rates of up to 36%, and has plenty of room for more people. Now that you can conveniently get tax lien certificates online, what are you waiting for?
If you’d like to know more about how to buy tax lien certificates online, Ted Thomas provides full support and complete training with home study courses, Q&A webinars, live tutorials, workshops, web classes, and personal coaching with certified coaches.
Learn how to reap huge rewards from tax lien and tax deed investing!
Want to learn how to purchase bargain real estate? Would you like to buy mortgage-free property for pennies on the dollar? Or buy tax lien certificates online to earn double-digit interest rates secured by real estate? Then get started today with this Free Gift.
Ted Thomas is America’s Leading Authority on Tax Lien Certificates and Tax Deed Auctions, as well as a publisher and author of more than 30 books. His guidebooks on Real Estate have sold in four corners of the world. He has been teaching people just like you for over 30 years how to buy houses in good neighborhoods for pennies on the dollar. He teaches how to create wealth with minimum risk and easy-to-learn methods.
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