Tax Deed in Atlanta question

[Rick Baggenstoss]

I'm looking into purchasing a Tax Deed(s) in metro Atlanta, Georgia.  Tuesday I'll go to bid on a couple of them.  

My questions are:

- When a property is in pre-foreclosure, would you expect the bank to redeem?  Early or last minute?

- Since you're acquiring the Tax Deed, does the premium apply to the amount paid or the amount of taxes, penalties, etc.?

- I'd like to own some of these houses.  It seems safe to say the properties with lengthy periods of tax non-payment are most likely to be houses the high bidder could foreclose upon.  Is this a fair assumption?  

Thanks for your thoughts.

Rick