The rules vary by county, but the standard flow usually looks like this:
You buy a "tax lien certificate." You don't own the house yet; you own the debt. You earn interest on that debt, and if the owner never pays you back, you can eventually foreclose to take the property. 2. The Step-by-Step Process how to buy tax sale properties
Visit the property (though you often can't go inside) and check for other liens like mortgages or utility bills that might not be wiped out. The rules vary by county, but the standard