# Tax Certificate Auctions. Assume I know nothing

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-certificate-auctions-assume-i-know-nothing/500213>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 18, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-certificate-auctions-assume-i-know-nothing/500213 "2009-06-18T19:37:22Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\
**Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tax-certificate-auctions-assume-i-know-nothing/500213/1 "2009-06-18T19:37:22Z")

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I hear tell that I can get tax certificates real cheap at auction or private sale and can either collect the penalties/back tax/interest or I get the property.

1. Why is this not a great way to get undeveloped land full of sagebrush and tumbleweeds at a low price?

2. If the seller is not the county, but a private individual (esp. ebay, craigslist, auction house), what are the chances it’s a scam?

3. I buy a certificate for $50 and the guy never pays. Did I just get 1000 acres of wasteland for $50 or are there added fees?

4. What are my legal obligations (I know - jurisdictions may vary) to notify the property holder of the tax debt?

Anything else I don’t know enough to ask?