Tax Certificates in Alabama

[Srini K.]

When you buy a tax certificate for vacant land in Alabama,

1) Do you have to wait 3 years to get the tax deed and in the mean time have no right to the property

2) Do you still have to take possession of the land after getting the tax deed. What is there to take possession of vacant land? How do you establish possession? If you do not take possession for say a home or land, what are the risks?

3) After getting the tax certificate who pays the library dues, fire dues etc.. as the certificate holder is still not the owner but gets those bills?

4) Can the current owner of the property sell it without involving the tax certificate holder?