Tax lien system blamed for blight in Indianapolis

[Dennis Weber]

It was kind of strange opening up the paper this morning and finding myself in a photo (the guy in the blue shirt behind the guy with his bid card up} blaming the Marion Co tax sale investors for the blighted communities in Indianapolis.

I think the article makes some good points, though.  A vacant house that goes to sale time and time again and stays vacant for 5-10 years is not worth it for anyone.  Maybe a large city should sell deeds, instead.

http://www.indystar.com/longform/news/2015/11/14/b...

[Rusty Scott]

This is part of a long running series the Star has been running, and I think they've done a nice job on it. The current system (tax liens) used is terrible, and why most cities have gone away from it. Most all buyers of liens have no interest in taking the property....they are just trying to collect the 10-15% interest. If the owner doesn't redeem, the lien holder just lets it go back to sale. Or take title, slumlord whatever they can get out of it for a couple years, then abandon. That's how we end up with properties that are perpetually stuck in purgatory. The treasurers don't want any reform as they need the revenue....but it's a very short sighted strategy, IMO. 

I don't fully agree with Jay, there are many urban areas close to downtown Indy that are full of renewal and the demand is there by retail buyers. Indy isn't Detroit. The tax system as is makes it very difficult for would be rehabbers...in some cases.  In others, I agree that tear downs are a better option. The city has just begun a new ' abandoned home ' law that allows for much quicker resolution of vacant property.