Creative Financing Question on tax sale property.

[Tabitha Fox]

I've found a property that I may be interested in. According to our county website, it was sold at a tax sale at the end of last year. But taxes are still owed. (I thought that would have been satisfied with the tax sale purchaser? We have a 12 month redemption period. The original delinquent owner is still listed as the current owner. (Do they not update the new owner until after the redemption period? Or does the delinquent owner still technically own it until the redemption period is over?)

I was wondering if it's technically & legally possible to get in contact with the owner on file and work out a creative financing deal with me basically paying what's owed to redeem it and then doing seller financing? Assuming they own it free and clear (fairly certain they do, but I'll dig around and see if I can find out for sure).

Wasn't sure if this should go in the Tax Lien forum or here. If it needs to be moved, please do!

Thanks!