Tax liens are placed upon properties when the owners have failed to pay certain taxes for a certain period of time and have failed to respond to the government’s attempts to retrieve that payment. By placing tax liens on these homes the government ensures that the owner can’t really make a move without first making a payment.
Tax foreclosure properties are homes or other real estate that are sold to investors. They are usually acquired when an owner doesn’t pay the property tax that is associated with the real estate they own after three years. The property is granted a two year time frame in which the homeowner is expected to pay what is due on the property. If the account is not made current within the two years, the property is deeded to the county. These homes are then placed up for auction and sold to the highest bidder. The new buyer holds the rights to the home, as long the money owed is not paid.