Buying property at a tax sale

[Dmitriy Fomichenko]

I'm considering buying a property at a tax sale, county of San Bernardino, CA 

(Southern California).

What should I lookout for? Are there any resources someone can recommend for me to learn from? Would love to connect with someone who is doing this on regular basis, preferably in the same county, or at least in the state (I believe tax sale and redemption laws are the same in the state regardless of the county, am I correct in this assumption?).

Any info you can provide that would be helpful will be appreciated! 

[Rick H.]

Yes, if at all possible, avoid buying from the auction. 

Buying from the owner(s) or their estate gives you much more flexibility in the price and terms without the nasty competitive pressure that occurs with an auction environment. 

Therefore, skip tracing and heir chasing becomes the challenge of the day.

Alternatively, acquiring a secured creditor position also make for interesting and profitable plays, however now you are dealing with applying for surplus funds due creditor from overbids generated.

If you must buy at auction to clean or perfect title, be aware that there are certain super-priority liens that may survive tax sale, including some water (riparian) districts and other agencies exclosusive of the general tax rolls. 

I have a book specific to CA from years back by John Beck (but not the Free and Clear TV crisp once promoted). My friend Dennis Lanni sent me a PDF from CA revenue and taxation agency that details much of this. It's no doubt free if you can find the material online.