Motivated to get into RE, are tax liens a great start?

Question

I’m located in Athens lower part of Alabama and have been constantly looking at the Alabama D of R site listing of tax delinquent properties.

I’m feeling like this would be a great start in RE. I’m looking to eventually acquire properties to turn into rentals.

Are there any tips anyone could provide on how to best use the transcripts? I’m finding the addresses by searching county records for the parcels but some counties have hundreds of properties. I don’t mind doing the work if I have to even go through each one by one, but I also could use some pointers from more experienced professionals!

I have driven around to view several that were vacant lots and I use GE as well but could there be something more I could be doing?

If anyone is looking to mentor or have me come work with them or even volunteer who will show me the ropes, I’m all for that as well.

Thank you for any input or advice in advance.

Sam Shinn · Answer

@Georgui Kasaev thank you! I picked up a list today instead of using the revenue site for AL. This one is centered around my local area but still tax liens and it’s looking good!

Brian Palme · Answer

Hi Sam - I hope this finds you doing well.

Tax liens are something I was looking into as far as my entry into investing too.  I have been very intermittently looking at lists all over the country to find the “right” deal to make some capital to get going in my plan.  I am learning that there is a of work to do looking at all of the liens to make sure you are not investing In junk.

Hopefully you have success Sam.

If you would like to chat further - we can see how our end games compare.

Georgui Kasaev · Answer

Hey, @Sam Shinn welcome into the world of investing. Tax leans are a great strategy. I am In Athens Ga. The way our tax leans get sold is through auction. One can go and get on the tax lean list at the courthouse. They send the list you look at what's available run some numbers on the ones you like then I would search title and make sure that tax is the only lean on the property. If you get too many addresses as can happen with larger counties then it's a good time to figure out your disposition strategy and pick the ones that fit you.

Not sure if this is helpful since tax leans are dealt with differently depending on where you are.