All Forum Posts by: Stephanie Johnson

Can someone let me know the difference between the Certificate of Sale vs. Deed and what can be done with each?  

Having made a few purchases via the Delinquent Tax Sale List and receiving a Certificate of Sale, what is the next step after that?  Does the Certificate of Sale need to be recorded in the County Seat of the county of sale?  

None of this is really explained on the Alabama Dept of Revenue site - or explained where I can personally understand it.  I guess if you're going to make the purchase, then they expect you to know and do your research.

@Latreeka Williams - Hi.  I was hoping you could come back and just provide an update for those of us that are new here.  Thanks in advance.

@Bryan Miles - Wow!!!!  That's unbelievable that something like that could happen and happen so quickly.  I also wonder how they got into the home if you have the only keys, or did they get a locksmith to "re-key" the locks?

@Denise Evans - So if I purchase a property through tax sale and make improvements on the home, and the original owner comes back to reclaim the home, i can get what I paid for the property through tax sale, AND improvements on the home?  I am currently waiting to receive the Certificate of Sale for a property with a historic home on it and would love to try to restore the outside of the home to the beauty it once was.  

What happens if I make the improvements and after 2 years and 9 months, the original owner wants the property?

So much awesome knowledge here and I appreciate everyone for sharing.  I just started purchasing tax delinquent property in April 2017 in Alabama.  I have not been to an auction.  I have decided to just visit the Dept of Rev website and go by county.  Seems that rural counties are much cheaper and don't have so many people going after the properties.  

I have no idea what I'm doing in this game!  I purchased my first in April just to see how the process goes.  Now I have paid for 3 more in the past 2 weeks and I am waiting for all paperwork to come back.  My motives are completely different from most.  I am a former resident of Alabama now living in Georgia, and I eventually would like to move back to Alabama and reside on one of the purchased properties.  I am looking at vacant land, as well as affordable homes. I plan to keep all I purchase, and pass them along to my children, nieces, and nephew.  With that being said, if the original owner(s) come back to pay, I have made a little money and can continue forward with purchasing more.

As Alabama has a 3 year Right of Redemption period,  what are the things I may want to watch out for while continuing to invest?

I don't have anything to add here.  I just thought this was an interesting thread and wanted to know the answers to the OP's questions.  Awesome discussion.

@Denise Evans I have purchased one property from the tax delinquent property online list, and I have already sent payment for 3 more.  3 of the properties are land only with no structure.  1 of the properties has a historical home on it which is currently occupied.  

Once my Certificate of Sale comes in, what are my options as far as having the current residents vacate the property so that I can take full/exclusive possession?  Also does assuming "full/exclusive possession" require me to physically live in the residence more than 50% of the time?

Thanks in Advance.

Stephanie