Tax Deed Investing in Southern California

[Jarred DeArmas]

Hey guys, I am trying to learn as much as I can about tax deeds in CA, specifically southern CA. Does anyone know if it is possible to go to the county and buy the deed before auction? Ive done some research on a particular property and its owners, and I've found that they've let houses go to tax auction before... like they don't care and its just their M.O. Maybe they are interested in the excess proceeds? 

This particular house is vacant and old with all the signs. The thing is, the property is owned free and clear, with the only lien being the delinquent tax. I believe this is now the 5th year, and I want to make a stab at obtaining this property. If it goes to auction, I probably have little chance, seeing as I don't have much cash and in CA, the opening bid is for the taxes due and it just goes up from there. My only other strategy is to reach out to the owners and offer to purchase the property and pay the tax before it goes to auction, but only if they carried...which shouldn't be an issue since there is no mortgage. I would, assume, I would be helping their situation by putting some money in their pockets and they avoid the hassle of loosing another property.

Thoughts? Tips? Ideas? If I could obtain this property, the possibilities would be endless... I am believer in buy and hold investing, but If I could get in this property cheap enough, I could stand to make a ton of profit on a flip, which i could use to invest into multiple properties and not be forced to scavenge the bottom of the barrel.  

Thanks for the input guys. I am really interested to hear your ideas