Tax Lien Question

[Kelly Sater]

Hello, this is my very first ever post. (be kind lol) I would like to know if anyone has an answer to the question "if I buy a tax lien at my county (Elkhart, IN) tax auction and it isn't redeemed in the year following, what happens if the property has a mortgage on it?" 

  I've asked this question of the county clerks office and the nice young lady behind the counter told me that the mortgage is between the borrower and the bank. The county can seize the property and sell it for taxes due. So if you win an auction and the property owner doesn't redeem the lien in the redemption period, you ask a judge to grant you a tax deed and you can then evict the owner and take possession of the property.

  I realize that she works there, but to my eyes she looked to be about 12, so I want to know if anyone else has ever done the tax lien thing in Indiana and or Elkhart county and can confirm what I've been told.

Thank you

[Ned Carey]

@Kelly Sater I don’t know the specific laws in your state but generally a mortgage is wiped out by a tax lien foreclosure. The mortgage holder is notified and they have the right to redeem. 

This is why mortgage companies normally escrow for taxes and insurance. They want to pay the taxes so the know they are paid and they as the mortgage holder are protected.