I was the one asking about free tax lien properties forgot to tell you the state Seattle wash and surrounding?

Question

I live in Seattle wash, am 56 years old and want to own my own house and heard I could probably get one cheaper through tax lien properties. But every time I look it up on computor, it ends up I have to pay for the info. Which is a rip off sence I know some where out there I can get this info for free. Just need to know who to contact. Im looking at out skirts of Seattle wash, King county etc. If you should know who I can contact it would be greatly appreiciated. [e-mail]

Answer 1

Well I can tell u this, not to long ago I was all over the internet scouring for info about short sales and subject to and you're right, most of the info u find on the net u have to pay for. I ended up going to the library and checking some books out to get the info I needed. Basically, buying tax liens is actully a niche market and b/c of that people can and do sell courses on how to acquire property via tax lien sales. Check your county tax assesser's web site for more info. It may be brief but it should give u a little info. Their site should also have a listing of the current properties with delinquent taxes, get the assessers office number and give them a call.
You can also try calling your local IRS office or the office of the area you are interested in (www.irs.gov). Also the treasury department (www.ustreas.gov).
Usually when you buy these properties they are sold "as is" so make sure you take a look at it before u buy. Also, you're looking at probably paying the taxes owed plus interest and waiting anywhere from 6 months upto five years (depending on the state) for the owner to redeem their property, which is what usually happens, but if they don't then you foreclose on the property. If they do redeem then you've made a great investment b/c you're looking at a return on your money of 15% or better, again depending on where u live. Hope this helps some.

Answer 2

Call the Secretary of State or the Department of Revenue.

Each state does things their own way. You first need to know who collects the taxes; it could be the state, it could be the county, it could be by town. Then you want to know what happens if they don't pay. It may be assigned to the state, and the state files the lien. Then you want to know at what point they auction or foreclose on the property, and how that gets published, and I assure you they do not auction it without public notice.

It's a government agency so get ready to spend all day on hold and being transferred, but call the Secretary of State and/or the state tax collectors.