Colorado Tax Lien Investing

[Keith Thompson]

We're heading to CO to visit our son & daughter-in-law soon and currently invest in Tax Liens in MD. As part of our effort to spend some time near them, we're looking to start up with TLs in CO. I don't see much information that is specific to CO in the forums or podcasts and thought I'd turn to the VAST knowledgebase that BP represents.

Are there some CO TL investors willing to share the low-down on the auction/OTC process and ins & outs of CO TLs & foreclosure and/or point me to a few good reference sources - either in the within the forum or via private messaging? Our desire is to end up converting some of the investments to ownership.  I see that some counties in CO use RealAuction and notice that there are some auctions underway now and another starting in early Nov.

TIA!!

[Josh Carr]

@Keith Thompson CO has an interest rate that is 9% plus whatever the federal discount rate is set in September.  So if the federal discount rate is 4 points then the interest rate is going to be 13%.  Since the federal interest rate has been kept at a low over the last few years it makes for a lesser interest rate.  I believe it is currently 1.75 which will take it to 12%.  The thing about CO auctions is that the liens go to the highest bidder and the bid increments are 1 dollar.  So if a tax lien is 1000 and you bid it up to 1050 you have just bid almost half of the interest rate away.  Think about it like this, if a property owner decides to redeem half way through the year then you will make approximately 10.00.  That's not a huge net.  One thing that CO does offer is "over the counter" liens or after the auction liens at the full percentage of interest and if you find one that is already past the three year redemption then you can start with an immediate foreclosure.  Denver rarely has any over the counter liens so it can be very tricky in the respect that you have to wait out the three year redemption period that makes it possible for the property owner to redeem.  There are many people who have received a treasurer's deed from their investment which is where you will make the most money from your investment.  Let us know how the auction goes.  Many are online hosted through www.realauction.com  All of the CO auctions will be from October to December.  The over the counter auctions are considered county held liens.  You will go to the Treasurer and look for "county-held liens".  Pull up the listing and research the property on the assessor's website.  You will find links connecting the property you are researching take you to the tax amount where you can see what the outstanding balance is.