Tax liens, or tax certificates, are generally sold to investors at auctions and are secured by claims on the underlying real estate that take priority over mortgages. Interest generally accrues on the taxes owed at rates set by auction, which property owners must pay to clear the debt. If an owner doesn't clear the debt associated with a tax lien, an investor who bought the lien may foreclose on the property.

Between $7 billion to $10 billion in delinquent property taxes are sold to investors annually. Counties and cities in 28 states and Washington, D.C., sell tax liens to investors. Rules on maximum interest rates, waiting periods before a foreclosure may proceed, how fees and interest are assessed on the debts and how auctions are conducted vary among jurisdictions.*

Hedge funds, family offices or other institutional / accredited investors with a minimum of $200K to invest on a long-term basis and who are interested in learning more are encouraged to submit a request for more information.

*Bloomberg Source