Purchasing Tax Deed Sale in Houston

[Nancy Tamez]

Hello,  I have read a whole lot of forums, blogs, Q&A and have learned a lot and I want to put into practice what I have learned. I'm looking into buying properties via our local tax deed auctions. I have gone down to observe the sales a few times already. I usually go with the paper in hand to get an idea of how much a property started auctioning at and how much it actually sold for. Since I plan on holding onto the properties as rentals I have learned to see if a property is in a flood zone, inside the city limits or outside the city limits, I have spoken with a few persons at the auctions and no one seems to check the properties much more than a drive by the house. When I ask them about liens 2 persons (well respected that I know make $$ and happened to run into at the auction) they have said all liens are removed, another person (older couple) they didn't even know what I was talking about. I would like to take a dive in and start in the bidding wars, my biggest fear though has always been that there may be a lien or additional taxes due on the property. I want to do my due diligence but at times I feel that is what is holding me back....Is there anyway to find out if there is a lien or anything else owed on the property?? Is there anything else I should be concerned with and checking before bidding on a property?? Thanks!!