Finding delinquent tax information?

Question

I am interested in purchasing couple of notes and don't have the information on delinquent taxes on them. States in question are OH, IN and MI. What's the most cost-effective way to find this information remotely?

Paul Birkett · Answer

Hi Haseeb,

There is only one truly dependable way to find out what the tax situation is and that's to call the county and ask. Be careful....you want to know if the taxes are current and how they became current. In many counties a tax certificate could have been sold (thereby making the taxes current) and the county will not volunteer that information. You need to ask:

1. Are the taxes current

2. If current, who paid them - the homeowner or another party

3. If another party, who is that party

4. Is there a tax certificate sold and if so for what years (the owner may have paid some years but not others)

5. Is the homeowner on a payment plan. If yes, has the plan been executed as agreed. If not, what is the total outstanding balance and on what terms

6. Are there any other taxing authorities who may be assessing taxes on the property (some counties have city taxes and water assessments and school taxes and other local taxes - if you dont know to ask the operator won't tell you)

7. What is the next step for unpaid taxes

8. What is the process for delinquent taxes in your county (some sell tax certificates, some hire a law firm to collect, some put a lien on the property but don't pursue foreclosure)

9. When is the property likely to go to tax sale

and

10. Don't forget to check the local municipality for any building regulation offences, demo orders etc. They may show on the title report...but they may not...so check check check!

That should cover it

good luck

Paul

Elio Campiolo Jr · Answer

Get on Google, research the counties, find phone numbers, call them up and ask. A lot of times you'll find the tax information online, I wouldn't trust it though, call and double check.