I think I want a bid down lien state/county?

[Joe Edwards-Hoff]

So,

I've been doing some research on tax liens. Reading the 16% solution seems like a must from what all the threads say. Anyway, tell me if I am on the right track... I've come to believe that I could get 18+% interest on the money I invest in tax liens. Provided I buy in the right states/counties. So, if I were hoping just to get good interest rates, and not end up with a bunch of properties, what would I be looking for? Also, if I did end up with a property, I assuming that the reason I'd want to do a title search first would be to make sure didn't end up with an upsidedown mortgage? What else could happen? As long as I don't plan on holding the properties, I just need to make sure that there isn't a bunch of debt coming with it...

And just so I understand better. Tax deeds? Is that just like buying the possibility of getting the property, but maybe losing your money? Liens seem to make more sense to me.