Property with tax lien/ water lien and owners died.

[Nicole D.]

There is a vacant property where both owners are deceased and the family is not interested. The family lives around the corner from the property, they neglect the property and refuse to talk to me. I've given my business card to the neighbor (a friend of mine) and I know for sure the family received  got my contact info. Can I go down to the revenue department and pay the taxes before it goes up for sheriff sale? Even if I do not have the deed?  Is there another way to go about owning this property without putting it under an 'agreement for sale' contract? 

[Cara Lonsdale]

Even owning the default tax liens doesn't automatically give you the ability to purchase the home.  Those go for several years, and then, if not redeemed, they are given the ability to foreclose.  But even at the foreclosure, someone could bid on the property and outbid you.