What to Know About Buying Houses With Unpaid Taxes

At first glance, buying a house on a tax sale can seem like a steal. You pay a fraction of its assessed value, gain an investment property to add to your asset count, and you can re-sell it at a later date for significant profit. This isn’t always how paradise plays out, however.

Risks exist. You can end up paying tens of thousands more than anticipated on necessary repairs or evicting a prior homeowner who refuses to leave.

Here is what to know about buying houses with unpaid taxes, the good and the bad.