Beating the competition before an auction takes place in TEXAS

[Thomas Clinton]

When wanting to purchase a tax deed from a owner that is behind in taxes in the state of Texas, Can I pay-off the outstanding taxes and take ownership of the deed immediately on HC-TAX.net website, so I can eliminate competition at the auction or do I have to get in contact with the owner in order to get the deed prior to the auction and reach an agreement with him/her? I'm trying to race against the clock and do this before others and beat competition and possibly price.

[Ron Flatt]

Be very careful, trying to circumvent the Tax Sale.  

I tried to get a piece of property in Navarro County.  The lady was behind on taxes and was going to be in the Tax Sale.  I offered her $5K and I was going to clear taxes, she was eager to jump at the deal.

Fortunately, I went to the County Clerk and found other problems, I was not going to be able to get clean title.  The property did bring more than I was willing to give, but I could have wound up with a house without clean title.  

I like the Sheriff's Deed, after 2 years I have been able to get title insurance for any sale.