How to read tax sale descriptions

Question

Can anyone tell me if there is some way to decipher the descriptions on the Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale sites? I have only looked at the one in my area but I assume they are all equally difficult to decipher. Here are examples.

"COMMON AREA IN WEST ANVIL CT OF IRON GATE UNIT TW O MBK 79/90#SEC 02 T5S R3W"

"LOT 273 LIBERTY PARK MBK 5 PG 66 #SEC 7 T4S R1W # 01 1-1 STY BV RES W/2 BATHS, OP (6RM/4BRM) #FL000"

"FROM SW COR OF NE 1/4 OF NW 1/4 SEC 13 T4S R3W TH"

Some of it seems obvious but I am trying to find the address basically. Here is the page.

https://revenue.alabama.gov/property-tax/delinquent-search/?ador-delinquent-county=02&_ador-delinquent-county-submit=submit

Clint Shelley · Answer

The mbk is probably mortgage book. The sec 7, is section 7, township 4 south, range 3 west. That is where the property is in the PLSS system. There are numerous ways properties are described depending on what they are.  Land with a metes and bounds description, and a lot in a platted subdivision are 2 of the examples you show. The other looks like it is part of the common area west of anvil court. You just need to take these descriptions and go down to the records office. Spend a day looking ate their respective deeds, subdivision plats, and tax assessor maps and you'll get the hang of it. Ask the ladies in the probate office. They will show you how to look one or 2 up. Start with something you already own as an example.

Clint

Aaron Williams · Answer

Thanks for the input! I will definitely go talk to record office ppl and check into the Public Land Survey System.

Oh and I figured out that I can input the property owner's name in the tax assessor website and find the properties they own.