Can someone obtain ownership real propertyby paying the back taxes owed on it?
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Can someone obtain ownership real propertyby paying the back taxes owed on it?
There is a piece of property in my area that may have several years of back taxes. I was told you may be able to buy it for the back taxes owed to the county.
Asked on September 18, 2011 under Real Estate Law, North Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You are partialy correct. If and when the land is foreclosed upon--or taken--by the municipality for nonpayment of taxes, then you may have the opportunity to acquire it by paying off the back taxes. However, until and unless the town or city acquires the land, paying the back taxes just does a favor for the current owner; you can't acquire something that the municipality does not own to give.
You could certainly approach the current owner and see if (s)he will sell you the land at a discount from the current market value, if you then take responsibility for the back taxes.
The first step in either case is to go by the county clerk's office and check on the status and ownership of the land--you want to see if it has been foreclosed (if not, you can approach your municipality's tax office and see if perhaps they will take action, especially if you're willing to pay of the taxes and acquire the land) and also who the owner is, so you can possibly buy it from him or her.
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