Can I pay someone elses back taxes?

Question

There is a large track of land close to my house that has back taxes owed to the county since 2010. I found this info on a public notice website. I've contacted the owner and said that I'd like to buy the property from him, but first want to take care of the tax issue. Can I pay those taxes without owning the property? If not, how do they get paid? He is willing to hold financing for the property, so it wouldn't be a cash or conventional finance deal. How do we structure this deal? Time is of the essence!

Thanks yall!

John Thedford · Answer

Do a purchase contract stating you will pay the back taxes at closing. Take it through a title company to protect yourself. Factor in the back taxes to determine your costs. After you close...then what? That needs to be determined BEFORE you buy.

Josh McCullough · Answer

Thank you @John Thedford and @Harriet Baldwin!

As far as an exit, or what I would do with it.  This tract would be a long term hold, and a cattle lease in the mean time!

Harriet Baldwin · Answer

Edited to say, what @johnthedford said! (simulpost)

not legal advice, and others will chime in, but I would not pay taxes ahead, I would do so as part of closing.  The first property we bought here in Elmira had significant back taxes, which we paid as part of closing (came out of proceeds due seller).

Deal structure, check with a local attorney who is comfortable doing this.  You could structure as a land contract, or as seller financing...whatever you do, you will want to have everything recorded (either the land contract, or the deed and mortgage).  Others on BP have a lot more will experience, listen to them as to the best structure.

Personally as a buyer I think I would prefer to structure as the seller loaning me the money to buy the property - a little more straight forward imo.