Real Estate Property Tax Lien Investing Caution

Gather around children for a tale of royal power. Far back in history the king owned everything. (Does that remind you of Donald Trump?). Occasionally the king would grant property to a duke. Property ownership meant wealth, so the king would demand that the duke pay yearly taxes. To this very day much of the money that supports government comes from property taxes, for you see children, government is still king.

If the property owner fails to pay the tax the county government places a lien on that property. Every year property tax liens are sold at auction to the highest bidder. If the property owner fails to satisfy that tax lien the new owner of the lien can begin foreclosure and acquire the property. That seldom happens, but it is possible. Usually the liens are redeemed (paid) before the time limit expires.

You’ve probably seen the TV infomercial extolling the benefits of buying property tax liens. It’s true, property tax liens usually pay an above average rate of interest (it varies from state to state) and the lien is secured by some kind of real estate. Because of the infomercial and real estate seminars, tax lien investing has became very popular. There was a time in some counties when few people would show up at the property tax lien auction. These days the seminar gurus often arrive with bus loads of students ready to bid.

A good investment, yes, but there are some surprises for the uninformed. Because property tax sales occur each year, there may be liens on the same property, for different tax years held by different investors. Like this… Bill bought the 1980 lien; Hillary bought the 1981 lien and George was the successful bidder the next year when the 1982 liens were offered.

Here in Arizona the law is very clear that tax liens for different tax years held by different private parties have parity among themselves. So if the redemption period for Bill’s 1980 tax lien had expired without being paid he could foreclose on the property, but his foreclosure would not wipeout the liens held by Hillary and George. Bill might have a right to the property, but he could not get clear title until he pays off Hillary and George.

If Hillary and George had been influenced by that infomercial and thought that they could scoop up ownership of property for the simple price of a tax lien, well they are more than a little disappointed.

Oh, there could be one more surprise. Sometimes the state owns tax liens. When the state government forecloses all other privately held property tax liens are turned into waste paper.

Property tax liens certainly can be a good investment if you always keep one fact one mind… You are the duke and the government is the king!

About the Author

Markk Walters is an investor and manager of the Real Estate Investor Base Camp at http://www.CashFlowInstitute.com

Real Estate Investing: Tax Liens

Certain measures have to be taken by the government to make delinquent taxpayers to pay taxes that are due, tax lien is one such method adopted in 18 states, where as the rest of the states use the tax deed system. In states where applicable, tax liens are sold to investors for taxes that are over due, and the investor can collect interest from the homeowners for the amount invested in the tax liens. If the homeowner fails to pay the tax lien plus interest, the investor may foreclose on the house and gets to own the property without any problems, as it is a first priority claim.

Advantages of Investing In Tax Liens:

This method of investing in real estate is gaining popularity as investors are guaranteed a favorable return on their investment or in extreme cases deeded rights to a property. The earning potential is about 16% to 24% and it is considered a low risk and a low maintenance investment. These interest rates are untouched by any changes in the Federal Reserve interest rates. Another reason why investors love this method is that they lien does not subject them to land owner liability. Tax liens are secure investments as they are but a fraction of the property value.

When property tax delinquents are given adequate time as well as warnings to pay the arrears, and they fail to do so for more than a year and a half, the tax collectors will list their property taxes liens and sell them in an auction. The property owner is informed of the intended sale of their tax lien as well as published in the local newspaper. Once the tax lien is sold, the homeowner is given a fixed time frame, the redemption period, to repay the tax lien plus interest. Foreclosure of the home is inevitable if the amount due is not paid within the redemption period. The investor is granted full rights of ownership to the property and in case the money owed is repaid while foreclosure is initiated; the investor has the right to charge the cost of he foreclosure to the homeowner too. Thus they have potential to huge profits. If foreclosure occurs the property is given free and clear of all other claims to the investor. Another advantage is that the investor need not worry about redemption as the county is in charge of that and usually they need have no contact with the delinquent taxpayer. If the redemption has been paid to the county, the county returns the principle amount plus the interest to the investor on producing the tax lien certificates. Should the same homeowner is delinquent again the investor has a priority claim on the tax lien.

There are firms that offer their services as well as products to help new entrepreneurs run a successful business.

Real Estate Investing- Save Money on Taxes

One of the most reliable and profitable investments you can make is to buy real estate. Whether you purchase commercial buildings, residential homes, or so-called “mixed use” property that can function as both a residence and a business location, there are many options and opportunities for a return on your capital.

And there are special government programs designed to facilitate your venture - grant programs for helping fund affordable houses, small business loans for minorities, low down payment options for veterans or active members of the military, and tax breaks for those who renovate and restore historical buildings, to name a few. Just by owning your own home, for example, you are guaranteed certain tax advantages in the form of deductions and exemptions. And those perks perform as “passive” investments, by saving you dollars that you would otherwise automatically part with each year at tax time.

Here are three of the most popular tax benefits enjoyed by homeowners:

Tax-free Capital Gains

If you have lived in your home for two years or more prior to selling it, you can qualify for a 100% exception on the profit you make at closing on your investment, thanks to legislation enacted in recent years. And you can do it as many times as you want - banking tax exempt profits on your home as often as five times a decade.

Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Many loans taken out to help pay for a home come with tax deductible interest payments. Yes, consumers would like to see interest rates stay low, because this helps them leverage the loan into equity. But many borrowers fail to realize that as rates rise, so do deductions that are tied to those interest rates. So in times of rising rates, tax deductions related to home ownership help to offset those costs.

Home Improvement Expenses

If you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you may be able to deduct the cost of repairs at tax time. And if you decide to sell the home you’re living in, you may be eligible for deductions for things like landscaping, painting, wallpaper, and carpet purchased within a few months of the sale.

And if you want to expand your real estate investment beyond simple home ownership, you can do what many first-time investors do, which is to purchase a home that also doubles as an income-producing property. You can, for instance, buy a duplex and rent half of it while you live in the other half or create an office space in your garage and deduct it as your home office. If you purchase two houses you can live in one while leasing the other one to help pay both mortgages. Or you can simply buy a residence that doubles as a business, as many Bed & Breakfast proprietors have chosen to do. Ask your tax planner to explain the benefits of owning your home or purchasing property for investment income. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the benefits are some of the best in the entire tax code.

But keep in mind that investments in real estate are not as limited as they used to be. The traditional options of buying property to live in, lease to others, or barter as a time-share are still viable and practical ways to help grow a nest egg. But there are also numerous other methods for leveraging investments in real estate, and many of them don’t even require an actual acquisition of real estate property.

You can, for instance, purchase a mutual fund that invests specifically in real estate assets, and in that way participate indirectly in the real estate market through shareholder ownership of stock. Or you can trade various real estate related options, trusts, and funds, and reap benefits from property equity without ever actually owning any buildings or land.

Whatever investment approach you choose, it is wise to take help from professionals who can assist you along the way. Attorneys who specialize in real estate, tax planners, Realtors, insurance brokers, and building appraisers and inspectors are among those experts who can offer guidance and insight to investors, to help them avoid risks while capitalizing on the potential that real estate offers to both experienced and first time investors.

About the Author

Troy Fullwood, self made millionaire, nationally known investor, real estate guru, speaker and coach; would like to share with you creative ways to building your own “Money Tree.” In 1997, Troy founded a company called Pinnacle Investments. The main focus is buying first lien performing and non-performing commercial and residential real estate notes.

Real Estate Investing: Tax Liens

Certain measures have to be taken by the government to make delinquent taxpayers to pay taxes that are due, tax lien is one such method adopted in 18 states, where as the rest of the states use the tax deed system. In states where applicable, tax liens are sold to investors for taxes that are over due, and the investor can collect interest from the homeowners for the amount invested in the tax liens. If the homeowner fails to pay the tax lien plus interest, the investor may foreclose on the house and gets to own the property without any problems, as it is a first priority claim.

Advantages of Investing In Tax Liens:

This method of investing in real estate is gaining popularity as investors are guaranteed a favorable return on their investment or in extreme cases deeded rights to a property. The earning potential is about 16% to 24% and it is considered a low risk and a low maintenance investment. These interest rates are untouched by any changes in the Federal Reserve interest rates. Another reason why investors love this method is that they lien does not subject them to land owner liability. Tax liens are secure investments as they are but a fraction of the property value.

When property tax delinquents are given adequate time as well as warnings to pay the arrears, and they fail to do so for more than a year and a half, the tax collectors will list their property taxes liens and sell them in an auction. The property owner is informed of the intended sale of their tax lien as well as published in the local newspaper. Once the tax lien is sold, the homeowner is given a fixed time frame, the redemption period, to repay the tax lien plus interest. Foreclosure of the home is inevitable if the amount due is not paid within the redemption period. The investor is granted full rights of ownership to the property and in case the money owed is repaid while foreclosure is initiated; the investor has the right to charge the cost of he foreclosure to the homeowner too. Thus they have potential to huge profits. If foreclosure occurs the property is given free and clear of all other claims to the investor. Another advantage is that the investor need not worry about redemption as the county is in charge of that and usually they need have no contact with the delinquent taxpayer. If the redemption has been paid to the county, the county returns the principle amount plus the interest to the investor on producing the tax lien certificates. Should the same homeowner is delinquent again the investor has a priority claim on the tax lien.

There are firms that offer their services as well as products to help new entrepreneurs run a successful business.

Real Estate Investing: Tax Liens

Certain measures have to be taken by the government to make delinquent taxpayers to pay taxes that are due, tax lien is one such method adopted in 18 states, where as the rest of the states use the tax deed system. In states where applicable, tax liens are sold to investors for taxes that are over due, and the investor can collect interest from the homeowners for the amount invested in the tax liens. If the homeowner fails to pay the tax lien plus interest, the investor may foreclose on the house and gets to own the property without any problems, as it is a first priority claim.

Advantages of Investing In Tax Liens:

This method of investing in real estate is gaining popularity as investors are guaranteed a favorable return on their investment or in extreme cases deeded rights to a property. The earning potential is about 16% to 24% and it is considered a low risk and a low maintenance investment. These interest rates are untouched by any changes in the Federal Reserve interest rates. Another reason why investors love this method is that they lien does not subject them to land owner liability. Tax liens are secure investments as they are but a fraction of the property value.

When property tax delinquents are given adequate time as well as warnings to pay the arrears, and they fail to do so for more than a year and a half, the tax collectors will list their property taxes liens and sell them in an auction. The property owner is informed of the intended sale of their tax lien as well as published in the local newspaper. Once the tax lien is sold, the homeowner is given a fixed time frame, the redemption period, to repay the tax lien plus interest. Foreclosure of the home is inevitable if the amount due is not paid within the redemption period. The investor is granted full rights of ownership to the property and in case the money owed is repaid while foreclosure is initiated; the investor has the right to charge the cost of he foreclosure to the homeowner too. Thus they have potential to huge profits. If foreclosure occurs the property is given free and clear of all other claims to the investor. Another advantage is that the investor need not worry about redemption as the county is in charge of that and usually they need have no contact with the delinquent taxpayer. If the redemption has been paid to the county, the county returns the principle amount plus the interest to the investor on producing the tax lien certificates. Should the same homeowner is delinquent again the investor has a priority claim on the tax lien.

There are firms that offer their services as well as products to help new entrepreneurs run a successful business.

Real Estate Investing: Tax Liens

Certain measures have to be taken by the government to make delinquent taxpayers to pay taxes that are due, tax lien is one such method adopted in 18 states, where as the rest of the states use the tax deed system. In states where applicable, tax liens are sold to investors for taxes that are over due, and the investor can collect interest from the homeowners for the amount invested in the tax liens. If the homeowner fails to pay the tax lien plus interest, the investor may foreclose on the house and gets to own the property without any problems, as it is a first priority claim.

Advantages of Investing In Tax Liens:

This method of investing in real estate is gaining popularity as investors are guaranteed a favorable return on their investment or in extreme cases deeded rights to a property. The earning potential is about 16% to 24% and it is considered a low risk and a low maintenance investment. These interest rates are untouched by any changes in the Federal Reserve interest rates. Another reason why investors love this method is that they lien does not subject them to land owner liability. Tax liens are secure investments as they are but a fraction of the property value.

When property tax delinquents are given adequate time as well as warnings to pay the arrears, and they fail to do so for more than a year and a half, the tax collectors will list their property taxes liens and sell them in an auction. The property owner is informed of the intended sale of their tax lien as well as published in the local newspaper. Once the tax lien is sold, the homeowner is given a fixed time frame, the redemption period, to repay the tax lien plus interest. Foreclosure of the home is inevitable if the amount due is not paid within the redemption period. The investor is granted full rights of ownership to the property and in case the money owed is repaid while foreclosure is initiated; the investor has the right to charge the cost of he foreclosure to the homeowner too. Thus they have potential to huge profits. If foreclosure occurs the property is given free and clear of all other claims to the investor. Another advantage is that the investor need not worry about redemption as the county is in charge of that and usually they need have no contact with the delinquent taxpayer. If the redemption has been paid to the county, the county returns the principle amount plus the interest to the investor on producing the tax lien certificates. Should the same homeowner is delinquent again the investor has a priority claim on the tax lien.

There are firms that offer their services as well as products to help new entrepreneurs run a successful business.

Real Estate Investing- Save Money on Taxes

One of the most reliable and profitable investments you can make is to buy real estate. Whether you purchase commercial buildings, residential homes, or so-called “mixed use” property that can function as both a residence and a business location, there are many options and opportunities for a return on your capital.

And there are special government programs designed to facilitate your venture - grant programs for helping fund affordable houses, small business loans for minorities, low down payment options for veterans or active members of the military, and tax breaks for those who renovate and restore historical buildings, to name a few. Just by owning your own home, for example, you are guaranteed certain tax advantages in the form of deductions and exemptions. And those perks perform as “passive” investments, by saving you dollars that you would otherwise automatically part with each year at tax time.

Here are three of the most popular tax benefits enjoyed by homeowners:

Tax-free Capital Gains

If you have lived in your home for two years or more prior to selling it, you can qualify for a 100% exception on the profit you make at closing on your investment, thanks to legislation enacted in recent years. And you can do it as many times as you want - banking tax exempt profits on your home as often as five times a decade.

Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes Many loans taken out to help pay for a home come with tax deductible interest payments. Yes, consumers would like to see interest rates stay low, because this helps them leverage the loan into equity. But many borrowers fail to realize that as rates rise, so do deductions that are tied to those interest rates. So in times of rising rates, tax deductions related to home ownership help to offset those costs.

Home Improvement Expenses

If you buy a home as a fixer-upper, you may be able to deduct the cost of repairs at tax time. And if you decide to sell the home you’re living in, you may be eligible for deductions for things like landscaping, painting, wallpaper, and carpet purchased within a few months of the sale.

And if you want to expand your real estate investment beyond simple home ownership, you can do what many first-time investors do, which is to purchase a home that also doubles as an income-producing property. You can, for instance, buy a duplex and rent half of it while you live in the other half or create an office space in your garage and deduct it as your home office. If you purchase two houses you can live in one while leasing the other one to help pay both mortgages. Or you can simply buy a residence that doubles as a business, as many Bed & Breakfast proprietors have chosen to do. Ask your tax planner to explain the benefits of owning your home or purchasing property for investment income. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that the benefits are some of the best in the entire tax code.

But keep in mind that investments in real estate are not as limited as they used to be. The traditional options of buying property to live in, lease to others, or barter as a time-share are still viable and practical ways to help grow a nest egg. But there are also numerous other methods for leveraging investments in real estate, and many of them don’t even require an actual acquisition of real estate property.

You can, for instance, purchase a mutual fund that invests specifically in real estate assets, and in that way participate indirectly in the real estate market through shareholder ownership of stock. Or you can trade various real estate related options, trusts, and funds, and reap benefits from property equity without ever actually owning any buildings or land.

Whatever investment approach you choose, it is wise to take help from professionals who can assist you along the way. Attorneys who specialize in real estate, tax planners, Realtors, insurance brokers, and building appraisers and inspectors are among those experts who can offer guidance and insight to investors, to help them avoid risks while capitalizing on the potential that real estate offers to both experienced and first time investors.

About the Author

Troy Fullwood, self made millionaire, nationally known investor, real estate guru, speaker and coach; would like to share with you creative ways to building your own “Money Tree.” In 1997, Troy founded a company called Pinnacle Investments. The main focus is buying first lien performing and non-performing commercial and residential real estate notes.

Real Estate Property Tax Lien Investing Caution

Gather around children for a tale of royal power. Far back in history the king owned everything. (Does that remind you of Donald Trump?). Occasionally the king would grant property to a duke. Property ownership meant wealth, so the king would demand that the duke pay yearly taxes. To this very day much of the money that supports government comes from property taxes, for you see children, government is still king.

If the property owner fails to pay the tax the county government places a lien on that property. Every year property tax liens are sold at auction to the highest bidder. If the property owner fails to satisfy that tax lien the new owner of the lien can begin foreclosure and acquire the property. That seldom happens, but it is possible. Usually the liens are redeemed (paid) before the time limit expires.

You’ve probably seen the TV infomercial extolling the benefits of buying property tax liens. It’s true, property tax liens usually pay an above average rate of interest (it varies from state to state) and the lien is secured by some kind of real estate. Because of the infomercial and real estate seminars, tax lien investing has became very popular. There was a time in some counties when few people would show up at the property tax lien auction. These days the seminar gurus often arrive with bus loads of students ready to bid.

A good investment, yes, but there are some surprises for the uninformed. Because property tax sales occur each year, there may be liens on the same property, for different tax years held by different investors. Like this… Bill bought the 1980 lien; Hillary bought the 1981 lien and George was the successful bidder the next year when the 1982 liens were offered.

Here in Arizona the law is very clear that tax liens for different tax years held by different private parties have parity among themselves. So if the redemption period for Bill’s 1980 tax lien had expired without being paid he could foreclose on the property, but his foreclosure would not wipeout the liens held by Hillary and George. Bill might have a right to the property, but he could not get clear title until he pays off Hillary and George.

If Hillary and George had been influenced by that infomercial and thought that they could scoop up ownership of property for the simple price of a tax lien, well they are more than a little disappointed.

Oh, there could be one more surprise. Sometimes the state owns tax liens. When the state government forecloses all other privately held property tax liens are turned into waste paper.

Property tax liens certainly can be a good investment if you always keep one fact one mind… You are the duke and the government is the king!

About the Author

Markk Walters is an investor and manager of the Real Estate Investor Base Camp at http://www.CashFlowInstitute.com

Beginning Real Estate Investing? Your First Decision Is a No Brainer - Should I Buy Or Rent?

Your first real estate decision is a no brainer! Truth is, you’ll live for free by buying instead of renting. Just the facts please. OK, here’s the facts and figures:

If you buy a home and live in it for 5 years you will have lived for free. Your mortgage payments, related closing costs, insurance and property taxes will be returned to you through tax savings and profits after you sell the property. Here’s how it works: (to make it easy we’ll use a $100,000 property even though this figure might seem very low for a home where you live, there are still many places where this is a realistic figure)

Price $100,000
Down Payment - 5,000

Mortgage $95,000
Interest Rate x 10%

1st Year Interest $9.500
Property Tax +1,000

1st Year Expenses $10,500
Income Tax Bracket x 33%

1st Year Tax Savings $3,465
Appreciation @6% + $6,000

Tax Savings and Appreciation $9,465

Your Interest for the first year was $9,500 and your property tax bill was $1,000, which together total $10,500, but your investment return from tax savings and appreciation was $9,465. If instead you were paying $600 a month for rent you would lose $7,200 a year or $36,000 in 5 years because renters don’t get any tax deductions nor can they take advantage on any of the property appreciation. These benefits go to the owner.

You as owner would have paid $760 a month for a total of $45,000 in mortgage payments during those 5 years. Add to that another $5,000 for property tax and your total would be $50,600 or $10,120 a year. These numbers are higher than the renter paid… but wait!

As the owner you would have saved an additional $3,465 a year in tax savings from tax deductible interest and property taxes. Also, your appreciation on the property is a conservative $6,000 (@6%) many cities have higher appreciation rates.

So you spent $10,120 a year and got back $9,465 in cash and equity. Realistically you only spent $655 a year or $3,275 to live in a place for 5 years.

But don’t forget, part of your mortgage payment went toward paying off about $4,000 of your principle of that 5 year period, which is more than the $3,275 you spent out of your pocket.

Would you rather be the owner of that home or the renter?

Real Estate Investing: Triple Net Lease

A net lease refers to a lease agreement where the lessee is responsible for paying the property taxes, maintenance, insurance, for the utilities and for the janitorial services. Of the net leases, the most common type is a triple net lease.

Triple Net Lease or NNN Lease: A triple net is also known as a NNN lease. As per a triple net lease, the tenants are responsible for operating and maintaining the property as well as the common area maintenance, which will be divided among the tenants in proportion to the area they rent. The landlord is responsible only for the structural integrity of the building. The tenant pays the landlord a base monthly rent and is responsible for the maintenance and the operational costs of all utilities as well as that of the property. The tenant has a few legal defenses to relieve him of his responsibility while using a triple net lease.

Absolute Triple Net Lease: It is also referred to as a bond lease. It is similar to a NNN lease, but differs in that the tenant has no legal defenses if he fails to meet his responsibility of paying the maintenance and operational costs, property taxes and insurance, utility and janitorial expenses etc.

Investors dealing in commercial real estate look out for multi-tenant properties that have triple net leases, as all they have to do is deal with how to invest the rent paid by the tenants. They like properties with triple net leases as they are not bothered by management obligations and have an assured income. On finding such a property, they have to take extra care with the due-diligence and study every document relating to the building as well as study the lease agreement in detail seeking the counsel of an experienced attorney.

Triple net leases have to be carefully drafted to compensate for inflation as well as tax increases, which could influence the rent and thereby affect the lease. The landlord should be very careful in selecting tenants by checking their credit worthiness, the type of business they do and how it will have a positive or negative impact on the property has to be analyzed carefully. If an investor is buying a property with a triple net lease tenant or tenant, the lease agreement has to be carefully scrutinized and the lease term has to be checked, and then carefully reviewed to see if the existing tenants would agree to an increase in the base rent as well as check the credit worthiness of the tenants. It is an investors dream to land a multi-tenant commercial property with a true triple net lease but they are a rarity.

There are firms that offer services and products to help new businesses succeed.

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