A key to savvy tax certificate investing is awareness, patience and persistence. You can do a lot of your work by phone with some basic, intelligent communication skills. You are dealing with county officials who may be swapped or just casual part-time in the rural counties. You have entered a very dynamic market where the cities and counties are growing and consolidating… and the area codes, phone numbers and contact information you need are changing and multiplying at a staggering rate! Always refresh contact information…

If you are going to contact a county for your primary tax certificate information, the key people you’ll be dealing with are…

• County Treasurers

• Tax Collectors

• Appraisal Districts

• Sheriff’s Office

• County Administrators’ Office

Remember, you want to connect with the people that will give you the right answers. Usually by asking “What happens to the people who don’t pay taxes on their property?” – this simple question can target the employee or department that has “the goods” – Tax Certificate Property Lists and Auction Dates.

Be assertive, to the point and most of all… friendly and courteous. Become an expert at building “instant rapport” and it will serve you well!

These are critical questions you need to ask!

• Who conducts the auction?

• What are the minimum bids?

• Where is the location of the auction?

• When – Dates and times of auctions

• Why are they selling Tax Certificates and Tax Deeds?

In many counties, local newspapers publish a list of Tax Certificate properties several weeks before the sale. In other cases, counties will mail you a list for free, sending them a self address envelope or for a small fee. Some counties will even add you to their mailing list by a simple phone request!

Be aware that the “sweet spot” for finding out about Tax Certificate and Deed Auctions is 4 to 8 weeks before the sale. The county property lists are being prepared at this time. You can do your homework and spot the freshest, hottest properties you want to bid on!