Obtaining Kansas County Tax Delinquent List or Pulling Teeth?

Question

So far, looking like pulling teeth would be easier. What would be your advice for asking for a listing of those parcels where the real estate taxes are in arrears, including those slated for the annual tax sale? I used the following text in an email:

Dear XYZ County Treasurer:I’m interested in obtaining the most recent listing of all real estate tax delinquent parcels in XYZ County.Please tell me how much you might charge to obtain the list, method of payment, etc. Please also let me know if you can attach the list in an email to me?Thank you very much for your time,

Is that not enough information? Should I just call them and explain that I want to see if I can bail out the taxpayer by offering to buy his land, pay the past due taxes, penalties, etc.? So far, I've emailed 3 Kansas counties with this type of verbiage and so far, slow-walking, foot-dragging crickets, through the ether.

Best regards and best of luck!

Juan

Bruce Lynn · Answer

@Juan Jorge   At the foreclosure sale, get there early.  I've learned a lot from the other people.  Sometimes I just ask a lot of questions.  Where did you get the list?  Do you know where/how I can get X list?  I saw you won X property.  What do you think it's worth?  What's your plan for the property?   Why did you pay that much?   How long have you been doing this?   Take your business cards....I buy houses.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

@Juan Jorge  The other thing I forgot, but this is last ditch effort is if the main taxing authority won't give it to you, as an alternative you might go to one of the other taxing entities....like school district, water district, city, etc.  Someone will be motivated to get their delinquent taxes collected.   Some people are helpful in getting it to you, many aren't.  Might be work for them.  I remember one time the chief tax collector gave me the list, but he printed it one sheet at a time.   His staff scolded him for giving it to me for free since he wasted a ream of paper.   I brought him back a fresh ream the next time I was there and he couldn't have been more thrilled.  Bring donuts or cookies.  That works too.

Bruce Lynn · Answer

Lists for what is coming to the tax sale vs just delinquent are two very different lists to me.

For sure you should be able to get the list of what is coming for sale.   I would go in to the office or call vs sending email.   Sometimes also a matter of getting to the right person....so one may tell you it doesn't exist, while the other prints it out for you.  If you get told no, might try again on a different day, or different office.

List of what is for sale might be obtained online, might be from the tax assessors office, might be from the appraisal district, the law firm or auctioneer that handles the sale on behalf of the taxing entity  or potentially from a 3rd party list provider.  Some charge some don't.  Some people don't want to pay, but often times for $30-$40 the 3rd party list provider will save you a ton of time and effort...typically they provide more and better information.   For example some counties around me list only the property by parcel number and minimum bid.   If you don't have an easy way to look up the parcel number, research can be a bear.  3rd party list provider might give you physical address, name and address of the owner, tax appraisal value, link to a map, minimum bid and maybe even more info.

On the list of delinquent taxes, chances are you might have to pay for this.   Probably the best way to get this is go to the taxing authority...tax assessor to request.  You might think about what you really want from that list and narrow it down if you can.  Not just ask for what could be a giant list.  Do you want properties of a certain age, value, type, behind 3-4 years or 10 years.   In many places you don't just want a data dump....you want to be specific with what you want.   I've gotten these for free, but some places also want payment.

Good luck.

Juan Jorge · Answer

@Bruce Lynn Awesome questions! Definitely will use some of them at the tax sale. The county publishes the tax foreclosure list, with very blunt disclaimers about "accepting the consequences" if yours is winning bid. Hahaha! They mention that property might have liens against it, and fully your responsibility to research & pay, oh and talk to your lawyer. I'll probably take them up on talking to my lawyer if any of the properties look promising. If this rural area is anything like Indianapolis back in 2007, then many deep pockets show up and outbid the small potatoes. I'm a small potato/shallow pocketed investor. :)

Juan Jorge · Answer

@Bruce Lynn, great ideas! Just talked to county treasurer, and although willing to work with me for the fee, she is short-staffed. Not a big deal, as I'm still just learning. Also, tax sale is coming up soon, so I'll register as a bidder just to kick the tires. Who knows? Maybe if the property looks promising, I might just put in a bid. I'm close to the county seat anyway. Doesn't hurt to check it out.

Juan Jorge · Answer

@Bruce Lynn, thanks for the great insights! Yeah, looks like I'll have to talk to the treasurer and see if I can get specific detailed report on just rural parcels. I'm willing to pay $30. One county clerk asked, "who are you and what do you want it for?" LOL, I don't know that requesting public records should cause one to be defensive. Thanks again!

Amit Darji · Answer

Ok so Kansas is a tax deed state. That means the delinquent properties are sold at an auction.  Here’s a link to Johnson county. You can subscribe and get the list directly from them. https://www.jocogov.org/depart...

Amit Darji · Answer

Have tried accessing it online? At the county recorders website.

Obtaining Kansas County Tax Delinquent List or Pulling Teeth?

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