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How to Buy Homes for Back Taxes and Delinquent Properties in Atlanta, Georgia

Purchasing properties with tax liens or delinquent taxes offers investors a lucrative opportunity to buy houses well below market value. These properties, often sold due to unpaid taxes, provide a unique chance for buyers willing to navigate the process. This guide explains everything you need to know about finding, purchasing, and profiting from tax foreclosed homes in Atlanta, including homes behind on taxes near me and houses for sale for back taxes.

What Are Tax Liens and Tax Foreclosed Homes?

When property owners fail to pay their property taxes, the government places a lien on the property. These houses with tax liens are at risk of being sold through a tax foreclosure process. In Georgia, when the owner fails to pay property taxes, the local government has the legal authority to auction off the property to recover the owed taxes.

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Benefits of Buying Houses with Tax Liens

  1. Buy Homes for Back Taxes: Properties can be purchased for the amount owed in taxes, often far below market value.
  2. Minimal Upfront Investment: Many tax lien properties are sold at a fraction of their market worth, allowing for a lower initial investment.
  3. Less Competition: Unlike traditional real estate markets, tax owed homes for sale often attract fewer bidders, providing more opportunities for savvy investors.

How to Find Homes with Delinquent Taxes in Atlanta

Finding delinquent homes for sale is the first step in purchasing properties at a significant discount. There are several ways to locate houses behind on taxes near me:

1. Check Public Records

Local tax authorities, such as the Fulton County Tax Commissioner, publish lists of tax houses for sale and homes behind on taxes. These lists include critical information such as:

  • Property address
  • Amount of back taxes owed
  • Tax lien status

You can access these records online or by visiting the local courthouse. Some counties even hold regular public auctions to sell delinquent land for sale and houses for back taxes near me.

2. Attend Tax Lien and Foreclosure Auctions

Once you’ve identified properties, attending a tax lien auction is the next step. At these auctions, buyers bid on the right to pay the back taxes house for sale. The highest bidder wins a tax lien certificate, which may eventually lead to foreclosure if the taxes remain unpaid.

How to Bid at Tax Auctions

  • Research taxes house for sale to determine their market value.
  • Be prepared to pay with cash, cashier’s check, or another accepted form of payment.
  • Understand that you’re bidding on the lien, not immediate ownership.

If the original owner fails to repay the taxes within the redemption period, you can foreclose on the property and take full ownership.

Types of Tax Sales in Georgia

There are two main types of tax sales in Georgia, both of which can result in buying homes for back taxes:

1. Tax Lien Sales

In tax lien sales, the local government sells a lien on the property for the amount of back taxes owed. If the homeowner doesn’t pay the taxes plus interest within a specified time (usually one year), the buyer of the lien can initiate foreclosure proceedings.

2. Tax Deed Sales

While less common in Georgia, tax deed sales transfer full ownership of a property to the highest bidder at auction, without a redemption period. Buyers gain immediate possession of the property, making this method ideal for investors looking to purchase properties outright.

How to Find Land with Unpaid Taxes

Investors interested in undeveloped land can also benefit from the tax lien process. Many counties in Georgia list delinquent land for sale where owners have failed to pay property taxes. Purchasing land with unpaid taxes follows the same process as buying tax delinquent homes, but can result in raw land that offers long-term investment potential.

Steps to Find Delinquent Land for Sale:

  1. Search tax lien records for delinquent land for sale in your area.
  2. Attend tax auctions for land with unpaid taxes.
  3. Ensure there are no environmental or zoning restrictions that could affect the land’s value.

Risks of Buying Tax Delinquent Homes

While buying houses with tax liens can be highly profitable, it’s essential to understand the risks:

  • Redemption Period: In Georgia, homeowners have up to one year to repay the taxes and reclaim their property. During this time, you won’t have ownership, though you’ll earn interest.
  • Property Condition: Many tax foreclosed homes are sold “as-is.” Without interior access, it can be challenging to estimate repair costs accurately.
  • Competing Liens: Ensure that the property doesn’t have additional liens, such as mortgages or HOA fees, that could complicate your investment.

Tax Sales

A tax sale is the sale of a tax lien by a Governmental entity for tunpaid property taxes by the property’s owner.

Fulton County Sheriff’s Tax Sales are held on the first Tuesday of each month, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (except when the first Tuesday of the month falls on a legal holiday in which case the sale is held the next business day).  The tax sales will be held on the courthouse steps of 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. 

A courtesy listing of properties for sale is available in the Wednesday edition of the South Fulton Neighbor newspaper, for a four-week period prior to the Tuesday Sale date. Each advertisement shows the owner’s name, a description of the property to be sold, and the amount of the tax due (O.C.G.A. § 9-13-140; 9-13-141; 9-13-142).

Every county in Georgia has it’s own date and time for tax sales monthly.  Some useful links to surrounding counties are below.  You can also search “Tax Sales In Georgia” for more information.

How to Maximize Profit from Tax Owed Homes for Sale

If you successfully acquire a property at a tax lien sale or through foreclosure, there are several strategies to maximize your return:

1. Renovate and Flip

One popular strategy is to buy tax houses for sale, renovate them, and resell at market value. With careful budgeting and smart renovations, this approach can generate substantial profits.

2. Rent the Property

For those looking for long-term income, renting out homes for sale back taxes can provide steady cash flow. Atlanta’s strong rental market makes this a viable option for investors.

3. Hold for Appreciation

Real estate in Atlanta tends to appreciate over time. Holding onto houses for sale for back taxes near mecan increase their value, leading to higher profits when you eventually sell.

Conclusion

Investing in tax foreclosed homes in Atlanta and purchasing houses with tax liens offers a unique opportunity to acquire properties at discounted prices. With thorough research, strategic bidding, and careful planning, buying homes for back taxes can be a highly profitable venture. Whether you’re looking to buy homes for back taxes for flipping, renting, or long-term appreciation, navigating the process effectively ensures you maximize your investment potential.

For more information on upcoming tax auctions or to access public records on tax delinquent properties, visit the Fulton County Tax Commissioner’s website or contact your local tax authority.

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Kelly Sollinger

We started Georgia Fair Offer because we wanted to spend more time together as a family and do what we love. If we can improve someone’s situation along the way while doing what we love it just makes everything that much better. Improving our communities one door at a time.

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