Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens: Earn Safe, Secured, and Fixed Returns Every Time

By Larry B. Loftis

Book Overview

Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens introduces an investment alternative that is safe, secured by real estate, administered by the government, involves no brokers, is enforced by state law, and gives fixed returns.

Selling tax liens or tax deeds (depending on the state) are the two ways that counties across the country bring delinquent property taxes up-to-date. This investment is one of the least publicized and safest ways of investing in real estate, designed to give the investor either a fixed return, as in the case of investing in tax liens, or a property for 10 to 50 cents on the dollar, as in the case of a tax deed sale. In most situations, the property is ultimately transferred free of any liens, such as mortgages.

Profit by Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens also debunks the common myth that tax delinquent properties are run-down and shows that liens exist on every type of property. Author Larry Loftis, an attorney and active investor, has purchased liens on properties owned by Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Hector "Macho" Camacho (world champion boxer), Chase Manhattan Bank, LaSalle National Bank, and even a building whose major tenant was the local sheriff's department

In this authoritative guide, Loftis helps investors avoid the pitfalls while answering all the key questions they need to consider:
* What's the difference between investing in tax liens and tax deeds?
* How does an investor go about bidding at tax sales? And what is the process?
* What are the different requirements in each state?
* Where are the greatest risks in this kind of real estate investing?

For investors eager to get started, Loftis's action plan provides details on the next steps to take, while real-life examples in every chapter bring the concepts down to earth.

The Second Edition is updated and revised including:

*A new section on using the internet to purchase liens across the country.

*New and updated information for tax and other laws affecting the purchasing of tax liens.

*Updated forms, contracts, and sample letters.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1427795959
• ISBN13: 9781427795953
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.93 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Easy to understand and very detailed

After searching through the internet and other content for tax deeds and tax certificates, I finally found a reliable and step by step guide on how to really invest in tax certificates. Very helpful to read about the author's personal experience and his tips. I was able to follow his advice, page by page and within a short time of reading his book, I was able to participate in my first tax deed sale. The book made me feel comfortable knowing what to expect every step of the way. I highly recommend this book.

Great Tax Lien Book!!!

I read this book twice over the weekend. It's great! I highly recommend it to everyone. Mr. Loftis did a great job of presenting his experiences at several auctions in different states. I did not take it as self-promotional fluff as one critic stated, but rather, as a way of showing the reader that he actually practices what he preaches. He mentioned that in the larger metropolitan counties in Florida, banks such as Wachovia send college students with lots of money to bid-down the interest rate to a low 0.25%. He suggests that beginners attend tax sales in the smaller counties in order to acquire better tax liens. Overall, the book covers the major points of tax lien investing in great detail and shows the reader how to calculate the yield under different scenarios. AS a busy real estate broker, i don't have the time to write a review for books but given the quality of the information in this book, I felt compelled to do so. I bought a tax lien package worth almost $2000 and compared to this book, it's worthless. I sent that package back and instead will keep this book as a reference. Hope this review helps.

Best tax lien/ tax deed book on market

Without question, this is the best book on both tax liens and tax deeds on the market. Two things are clear from this book. First, this stuff does work in most states of the country. I've been able to buy both liens (last year at rates of 15-17% in Florida) and deeds. By utilizing the techniques illustrated in the book, I was able to compete effectively against the so-called "institutional" investors. Mr. Loftis teaches how to invest in their "gaps", and how to go where they don't go. (On that note, I recently saw an article in the Wall Street Journal online Real Estate Journal that mentioned getting 24% in Iowa, 18% in D.C., and 16% in Arizona. They also mentioned a guy who was making a killing in tax deed foreclosures). Second, it's clear from this book that Loftis really knows his stuff and has tons of personal examples in his book (he's not just doing academic research or trying to coax you into going to an expensive seminar or "boot camp"). I've read a lot of real estate books and about half of them are really just ads for attending their seminars. Refreshingly, this book isn't an ad - it just teaches you how to do it. How nice.

Best on Subject so Far!!!

I've been a realtor for over a year and it amazes me how many realtors don't know about this or care. This one is the best book on the subject of Tax Liens to date that I have read. Read 16% Solution a while ago, not bad just outdated, but this book gives details. Even sat in on a few tax lien seminars, be very careful of these. If you are serious about getting good information and a good start without the bull on tax lien investing, put you money here. I did.

Florida tax lien investor

The last reviewer (M. Reeder "quiddam") must not know how to read. Mr. Loftis mentions in the book that most counties will pull liens under $100 from the auction (they're usually worthless). And anyone who has actually invested in Florida knows that there will be few, if any, liens left after an auction. If there are, yes, you can buy them OTC but they will be on ditches. And as for Texas, Mr. Loftis includes in his book actual photocopies of statements from the counties (and law firms for the counties) verifying the 6 month redemption on non-homestead, non-ag properties. Perhaps M. Reeder didn't read at all. Excellent book, with the accuracy of a lawyer.