Hi Tryska, I found the information on the Georgia sales on this website and others similar to it. One I read was at the Douglas County, Georgia Government site. Search in Google for tax deed sales, Douglas county and you should be able to find it. The article was written by the tax commissioner and gives a lot of good details. The terms tax deed, tax lien and tax certificate sales are confusing. Many use them for the same thing. My county calls it a tax certificate sale. The article on the Douglas county site calls it a tax deed sale but it is the same process as where I live. Basically it is the 12 month redemption period and 20% above what was bid on the property. The auction I went where the tax owed was $355 was purchased for $355. That was the minimum starting bid and only one person bid on it so he got it for that amount. I missed our county sale yesterday but hope to get to the next one. Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you and let me know what you find out in Cobb county. Thanks and best of luck!
What happens if the property has environmental issues, such as buried fuel tanks, chemical spills, etc. Is the person buying the tax certificate responsible for these issues or do they remain with the original property owner? Thanks-EB
From what I have read/learned you would be responsible ONLY if the 12 month redemption period passes, no one pays off the owed taxes and you complete the steps necessary to foreclose on the property and take ownership and get the deed. Until the point where you become the owner you are not liable for issues on the property. I am not an attorney so take this information as just that, my opinion. Others may be able to give more legal details.
Perhaps someone in the Tax Lien Forum has an answer for you.
You can look at most clerk of courts or recorders offices, everything is on computer. Ask the clerks they are usually helpful. I hope this helps
always go to the prop. to inspect before buying.....kenmax
what happens to mortgages on properties that do not get redeemed?
Hi Tryska, I found the information on the Georgia sales on this website and others similar to it. One I read was at the Douglas County, Georgia Government site. Search in Google for tax deed sales, Douglas county and you should be able to find it. The article was written by the tax commissioner and gives a lot of good details. The terms tax deed, tax lien and tax certificate sales are confusing. Many use them for the same thing. My county calls it a tax certificate sale. The article on the Douglas county site calls it a tax deed sale but it is the same process as where I live. Basically it is the 12 month redemption period and 20% above what was bid on the property. The auction I went where the tax owed was $355 was purchased for $355. That was the minimum starting bid and only one person bid on it so he got it for that amount. I missed our county sale yesterday but hope to get to the next one. Let me know if there is anything else I can answer for you and let me know what you find out in Cobb county. Thanks and best of luck!
What happens if the property has environmental issues, such as buried fuel tanks, chemical spills, etc. Is the person buying the tax certificate responsible for these issues or do they remain with the original property owner? Thanks-EB
From what I have read/learned you would be responsible ONLY if the 12 month redemption period passes, no one pays off the owed taxes and you complete the steps necessary to foreclose on the property and take ownership and get the deed. Until the point where you become the owner you are not liable for issues on the property. I am not an attorney so take this information as just that, my opinion. Others may be able to give more legal details.