It is easy to see if you own the tax lien certificate by going into the county website with the treasurer, tax collector or whomever is responsible for the collection of back taxes and see who's name is on the tax lien certificate. 

So I'm currently living in a boom and bust town.

For me, I would use it as a down payment on an apartment complex, hire a great property manager, and sit back and collect.  Or

Originally posted by @Joe Fairless: boom, that is very helpful insight.

Since the last oil crisis, Houston has done an outstanding job of diversifying...With high-tech, healthcare, and alternative energies booming, petroleum just doesn't have the effect on us that it did in the past...it's now a smaller piece of the pie that is Houston.Many locals remember the hard times in the '80s, and are fearful that they will return, but when you look at all that the area has to offer (booming industries, affordable housing, great schools, investment opportunities, friendly people, decent winters, etc.) you realize that Houston still has a lot going for it.And even if things were to cool off a bit, that's beneficial to investors, as it means less home ownership and more renters!

There are people that bought new builds in 2011 before the boom years of 2012 and 2013 and ended up short selling in 2014.

Downtown is booming in many spaces along with several boutique neighborhoods that are surging in demand. 

I remember seeing the Chinese real estate market booming when I was attending college and working in Shanghai in early 2000.

Try the property appraiser website or the tax collector website if nothing else works.I certainly hope this helps but just go at it diligently and you'll find it..!!

If you visited that courthouse and went to the property tax assessor's or collector's office, they could describe in detail exactly how you can go about bidding on tax certificates.