Foreclosure list and hearing because of taxes?

[Kyle Spinale]

I was looking in my local newspaper and I found a section that's titled "Notice of Show Cause Hearing and Judicial Foreclosure Hearing Non-Payment of Property Taxes". 

In a nutshell it says that properties with unpaid taxes were forfeited to the Treasurer. It says that there are 2 hearings to finalize the foreclosure process and parties involved can try to get them back. They said the purpose is to provide additional notice to parties of interest in the parcels so they can redeem their property. 

They mention that the properties are not yet for sale and a process to sell them is to be determined. Finally it lists the properties. 

My question was: would I eventually be able to purchase one of these if they're foreclosed? Also, has anybody seen anything like this before?

[Christopher Phillips]

@Kyle Spinale

After a property in Michigan is delinquent on property taxes more than 2 years,  it will go into forfeiture with the treasurer. After another year, it may be foreclosed on. Multiple notices are given (10) for the owner to try and remedy the situation. When there is a hearing, interested parties with liens on the property can try and represent their situation.

Once the house forecloses, it will be put up for auction. You can try and buy it at auction (happens twice each year).  The opening bid is set at owed taxes, plus penalties, and interest. Winners will receive a quitclaim deed.

Once the property forecloses, the previous owner can't get it back. But the property might be occupied, and winners will have to evict the occupants or possibly pay them to leave.

However, there are huge risks. You usually can't see the interior of the property before bidding due to occupants. You have no idea about the condition. Missing pipes, missing walls, missing floors. Leaky roofs. You might not be able get to title insurance if the property is occupied, which would create a problem in getting a loan. And institutional buyers bid up the prices.