Investing In Property Tax Liens
The increasing volatility of the stock market combined with historically low interest rates has caused many investors to seek alternative avenues that can provide a decent rate of return. One investment niche that is often overlooked is property tax liens. This unique opportunity can provide knowledgeable investors with excellent rates of return in some cases, but they can also carry substantial risk, and novice buyers need to understand the rules and potential pitfalls that come with this market.
What Is a Tax Lien?
When a landowner fails to pay the taxes on his or her property, then the city or county in which the property is located has the authority to place a lien on the property. A lien is a legal claim against the property for the unpaid amount that is owed; property that has a lien attached to it cannot be sold or refinanced until the taxes are paid and the lien is removed. Similar to how actual properties can be bought/sold at auctions, these property tax liens can be as well.
How Can I Invest in Them?
When a lien is issued, a tax lien certificate is created by the municipality that reflects the amount that is owed on the property plus any interest or penalties that are due. These certificates are then auctioned off and subsequently issued to the highest bidding investor. Tax liens can be purchased for as little as a few hundred dollars for very small properties, but the majority of them cost much more. The auctions may be held in a physical setting or online, and investors may either bid down on the interest rate on the lien or bid up a premium that they will pay for it. The investor who is willing to accept the lowest rate of interest or pay the highest premium will be awarded the lien.
Those who are interested in purchasing a tax lien can start by deciding what type of property they would like to hold a lien on, such as residential or commercial, or undeveloped land versus property with improvements. They can then contact their city or county treasurer to find out when, where and how the next auction will be held. The treasurer’s office can tell the investor where to get a list of properties that are scheduled to be auctioned as well as a list of rules for how the sale will be conducted. These rules will outline any preregistration requirements, accepted methods of payment and other pertinent details.
Every piece of real estate in a given county that has a tax lien is assigned a number within its respective parcel, and buyers can look for these liens by number in order to obtain information about them from the county (this can often be done online). For each number, the county has the property address, the name of the owner, the assessed value of the property, the legal description and a breakdown of the condition of the property and any structures that are located on the premises.
Reaping the Profit from the Lien
Investors who purchase property tax liens are typically required to immediately pay the amount of the lien in full back to the issuing municipality. The investor must then notify the property owner that they are now the lien holder. The property owner must repay the investor the entire amount of the lien plus interest, which can range anywhere from 5 to 36% (the rate will vary from one state to another). If the investor paid a premium for the lien, this may be added in to the amount that is repaid in some instances.
The repayment schedule usually lasts anywhere from six months to three years, and in most cases the owner is able to pay the lien in full. If the owner cannot pay the lien by the deadline, then the investor has the authority to foreclose on the property just as the municipality would have (although this is a fairly rare occurrence.)
Disadvantages of Investing in Property Tax Liens
Although property tax liens can yield substantial rates of interest, investors need to do their homework before wading into this arena. Tax liens are generally inappropriate for novice investors or those with little experience with or knowledge of real estate.
Investors also need to be familiar with the actual property upon which the lien has been placed to ensure that they can collect the money from the owner. A dilapidated property that is located in the heart of a slum neighborhood is probably not a good buy, regardless of the interest rate that is promised, because the property owner may be completely unable or unwilling to pay the tax that is owed. Properties that have suffered any kind of environmental damage, such as from chemicals or hazardous materials that were deposited there, are also generally undesirable.
Lien owners also need to know what their responsibilities are after they receive their certificates. They must usually notify the property owner in writing of their purchase within a stated amount of time and then send a second letter of notification to them near the end of the redemption period if payment has not been made in full by that time.
Tax liens are also not everlasting instruments; many of them have an expiration date after a certain period of time has elapsed after the end of the redemption period. Once the lien expires, the lienholder becomes unable to collect any unpaid balance that was previously owed. And if the property goes into foreclosure, then the lienholder may discover that there are other liens on the property, which can make it impossible to obtain the title.
Many commercial institutions such as banks and hedge funds are also getting into the act and have been able to outbid the competition and drive down yields. This has made it harder for individual investors to find profitable liens and some have given up as a result.
The Bottom Line
Property tax liens can be a viable investment alternative for experienced investors that are familiar with the real estate market. Those who know what they are doing and take the time to research the properties upon which they buy liens can generate substantial profits over time, but the potential risks that are involved render this arena inappropriate for unsophisticated investors. For more information on property tax liens, consult your real estate agent or financial advisor.
What Is a Tax Lien?
When a landowner fails to pay the taxes on his or her property, then the city or county in which the property is located has the authority to place a lien on the property. A lien is a legal claim against the property for the unpaid amount that is owed; property that has a lien attached to it cannot be sold or refinanced until the taxes are paid and the lien is removed. Similar to how actual properties can be bought/sold at auctions, these property tax liens can be as well.
How Can I Invest in Them?
When a lien is issued, a tax lien certificate is created by the municipality that reflects the amount that is owed on the property plus any interest or penalties that are due. These certificates are then auctioned off and subsequently issued to the highest bidding investor. Tax liens can be purchased for as little as a few hundred dollars for very small properties, but the majority of them cost much more. The auctions may be held in a physical setting or online, and investors may either bid down on the interest rate on the lien or bid up a premium that they will pay for it. The investor who is willing to accept the lowest rate of interest or pay the highest premium will be awarded the lien.
Those who are interested in purchasing a tax lien can start by deciding what type of property they would like to hold a lien on, such as residential or commercial, or undeveloped land versus property with improvements. They can then contact their city or county treasurer to find out when, where and how the next auction will be held. The treasurer’s office can tell the investor where to get a list of properties that are scheduled to be auctioned as well as a list of rules for how the sale will be conducted. These rules will outline any preregistration requirements, accepted methods of payment and other pertinent details.
Every piece of real estate in a given county that has a tax lien is assigned a number within its respective parcel, and buyers can look for these liens by number in order to obtain information about them from the county (this can often be done online). For each number, the county has the property address, the name of the owner, the assessed value of the property, the legal description and a breakdown of the condition of the property and any structures that are located on the premises.
Reaping the Profit from the Lien
Investors who purchase property tax liens are typically required to immediately pay the amount of the lien in full back to the issuing municipality. The investor must then notify the property owner that they are now the lien holder. The property owner must repay the investor the entire amount of the lien plus interest, which can range anywhere from 5 to 36% (the rate will vary from one state to another). If the investor paid a premium for the lien, this may be added in to the amount that is repaid in some instances.
The repayment schedule usually lasts anywhere from six months to three years, and in most cases the owner is able to pay the lien in full. If the owner cannot pay the lien by the deadline, then the investor has the authority to foreclose on the property just as the municipality would have (although this is a fairly rare occurrence.)
Disadvantages of Investing in Property Tax Liens
Although property tax liens can yield substantial rates of interest, investors need to do their homework before wading into this arena. Tax liens are generally inappropriate for novice investors or those with little experience with or knowledge of real estate.
Investors also need to be familiar with the actual property upon which the lien has been placed to ensure that they can collect the money from the owner. A dilapidated property that is located in the heart of a slum neighborhood is probably not a good buy, regardless of the interest rate that is promised, because the property owner may be completely unable or unwilling to pay the tax that is owed. Properties that have suffered any kind of environmental damage, such as from chemicals or hazardous materials that were deposited there, are also generally undesirable.
Lien owners also need to know what their responsibilities are after they receive their certificates. They must usually notify the property owner in writing of their purchase within a stated amount of time and then send a second letter of notification to them near the end of the redemption period if payment has not been made in full by that time.
Tax liens are also not everlasting instruments; many of them have an expiration date after a certain period of time has elapsed after the end of the redemption period. Once the lien expires, the lienholder becomes unable to collect any unpaid balance that was previously owed. And if the property goes into foreclosure, then the lienholder may discover that there are other liens on the property, which can make it impossible to obtain the title.
Many commercial institutions such as banks and hedge funds are also getting into the act and have been able to outbid the competition and drive down yields. This has made it harder for individual investors to find profitable liens and some have given up as a result.
The Bottom Line
Property tax liens can be a viable investment alternative for experienced investors that are familiar with the real estate market. Those who know what they are doing and take the time to research the properties upon which they buy liens can generate substantial profits over time, but the potential risks that are involved render this arena inappropriate for unsophisticated investors. For more information on property tax liens, consult your real estate agent or financial advisor.
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