North Carolina - Property Taxes

[Randy E.]

I've read in these forums that in some states, investors are allowed to pay delinquent property taxes owed for a property, and eventually assume ownership of that property if the current owners don't pay their bill.  Does anyone know if this can be done in North Carolina?

There are several properties I've come across that are two or more years behind on their taxes that I would like to purchase as buy+holds.  As I've watched similar homes in the past, the properties eventually are sold through a tax auction.  However, I'd prefer to buy these outright from the current owners and avoid the hassle of an auction.