Zillow Advice: Investing - When do you know a tax lien certificate is a good investment?

when the yield is greater ...

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 02:01:00 GMT

when the yield is greater than what you could ever get from the banks

LOL...All 3 anwers were great! ...

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:30:00 GMT

LOL...All 3 anwers were great! I have invested a couple of times in tax liens and I like them. First, are you interested in acquiring the property or the interest on the certificate? The certificates usually have a much higher return than other investments but are not liquid (I'm sure there are ways to convert a lien you hold to cash but I have never done it). The last one I bought took 3 years to get paid on (14% interest). The owner redeemed it just before his time ran out. I wouldn't invest in a lien for a property I didn't want to own and I would never assume that I was going to get a property because I had the lien. This is all in the for what is is worth department.

I have looked into the tax market in CA where I now reside and it seems that they do not sell the liens. The state holds them until the property is confiscated then sells it off. This seems to take about 5 years. NO WONDER WE CAN'T PAY THE BILLS!

WE COULD RAISE BILLIONS IN FUNDS IF THEY WOULD SELL OFF THE TAX LIENS!Hope this gave you some help (Sorry for the sidebar).

Boy oh boy alive..this is ...

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:02:00 GMT

Boy oh boy alive..this is my expertise! You do not in certain states have any legal to ownership just yet to the property. Tax lien certs and deeds will always be better than the banks in making a good investment. Need to look up the tax code in your state or the state you plan to buy these liens. Each state is different, and all are great investments; however, I do not care if it is swamp land, if it has a tax lien, it is an investment. It is what you want not what someone suggests to you, its your money. Go for it...

In Florida a residential ...

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:23:00 GMT

In Florida a residential property is a safer bet than vacant land at this time. You might consider those properties that are homesteaded as they are most likely to pay the taxes and get you a return. As for the others, while there is a greater chance you can buy one after the redemption period has passed, consider two things. First you should hire a title examiner to do a thorough search before you actually get too excited about owning it and secondly determine how long (it can take 5 years) before you can get clear title. You will need to hire an attorney to work through clearing the title. Unless you are a big investor you will see little in the way of dollar return.

You know they're good when ...

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:13:00 GMT

You know they're good when you get paid. Is there a secondary market or strictly from the taxing entity? I would only trust the tax office and maybe not then.