All Forum Posts by: Jocelyn Bernstein

Quote from @Denise Evans:

Lien certificates to not turn into deeds. Tax certificates turn into deeds. Did you buy it at auction? Was the auction online or at the courthouse. Did you have the highest bid above the opening amount of taxes + interest, or did you bid down your interest rate starting at 12% down to something else? That will help me understand exactly what you bought and what the rules are.

 Denise, I bid down the interest rate. I thought it was called a lien, but then again all of this is very confusing. 

Quote from @Christine Garnier:

Quote from @Jocelyn Bernstein:

I am in the process of foreclosing on a property in Bessemer. The only thing I have had a problem with is that the owner has until the 25th of May to pay back taxes, but the official deed won’t be available until sometime in August. Why would it take 3 months for a deed to become available? 

 If I am not mistaken, the reason why it would take so long to get the deed after a tax lien foreclosure in Alabama is because, the court will also quiet the title for you. This is truly specific to Alabama because other states like Arizona for example require that a separate quiet title action is filed after the foreclosure action. 

 Yes, I was referring to my lien certificate to turn into a deed. Thank you for clarifying.

I have multiple tax liens in Alabama and I’m unsure what to do or what way to go about any of them. 
my first is, a property that I will get a tax deed next year if not redeemed. The owners are down the road from me, drug addicts, and haven’t redeemed. I want a free and clear title. 
another property down the road, vacant, owners I can’t find and probably aren’t citizens of US. Redemption would be in 2026. I’m interested in taking ownership of property. 
another property located within the same vicinity, has multiple homes on property. One is unoccupied and needs a lot of work. Property owner, after doing a title search is still alive and well. People who reside in property are unknown, but are not owner occupied. I want to begin property improvements before property falls apart. What can I do? Thanks in advance. 

I am waiting on a tax deed from the state. What are my rights? 

Quote from @Thomas Kramer:

Originally posted by @Denise Evans:

@Srini K.

1.  (...) you have to file an ejectment lawsuit to establish that.  If the owner redeems, they also have to pay your legal fees for the ejectment, though.

@Denise Evans

Does the owner have to pay me legal fees if I file an ejectment lawsuit during administrative redemption period? I was under the impression that Section 40-10-83 only applies if an ejectment lawsuit is brought by a tax deed holder (judicial redemption).

The most confusing part to me is, if the property owner doesn’t have the money for their taxes, how in the world are they going to have money to pay my legal fees? If they don’t pay the legal fees is there only a lien against the property or who would have ownership? 

I am in the process of foreclosing on a property in Bessemer. The only thing I have had a problem with is that the owner has until the 25th of May to pay back taxes, but the official deed won’t be available until sometime in August. Why would it take 3 months for a deed to become available?