Buying redemption reights from taxpayer in AL?

[Roger Gelpey]

I have a few certificates on vacant/abandoned houses and as soon as I start maintaining the grass I start getting calls requesting to buy the property. As a cert holder I don't "own" the parcel but I assume I could purchase the redemption rights assuming I could find the taxpayer. Is this a good strategy? If you have done this do you have any advice? Thank you!

[Ted Thomas]

Hi Roger,

Thank you for the question. The next thing you should do is go to the local county and get the rules, they might be online depending on the county you are in. Find out what the rule is - the certificate doesn't last forever, the certificate will expire and more than likely the tax delinquent owner won't pay the taxes and the county will award you the property. The certificate will run out or expire in some way so you need to find out the date when that is going to happen. The process after that is the individual is going to pay you or you get the property.