Atlanta Area Tax Liens

[Tony Sendelbach]

I have done a fair amount of research on Tax (lien/deed) sales  especially here in the Atlanta area (Fulton Co). My target is the outer counties (Coweta, Carroll, Forsyth, Cobb, Paulding)  I attended the Coweta County sale for October and many of the properties went for near retail on say a $4k starting bid. The only properties that went for minimum bid were of very little value.  

After reading some older discussions on BP--it seems like I am missing some fundamental information. 

If a property can't be redeemed for over a year-- I assume it is it legally impossible for someone to enter into a sale of the property while there is a tax lien (hybrid deed) on it?  Also, what happens to the overage? 

Finally, if bid's are competitive on properties with no mortgage--is there value in approaching an owner to close immediately prior to sale?

Regards, Tony