If you participated in a Maryland tax sale and won a tax lien (or liens), congratulations!

Now, though, you may be asking yourself, “what’s next?”

What to do after winning a tax lien certificate

Immediately following the tax sale, you will be required to make full payment of the total amount of your winning bid(s) to the tax office, typically via ACH. This will include the amounts of any High Bid Premiums.

Following your payment to the County, you may want to provide your tax lien attorney with a list of your winning bids. Under the tax sale statute, the redeeming party is not required to reimburse you for any legal fees or expenses until four months after the date of the tax sale (with some exceptions). For this reason, most lienholders will not take any legal action until four months from the date of the tax sale.

During these four months, you will want to conduct further due diligence on your winning bids. Your attorney and/or financial advisor may be able to assist you, if needed; however, most of the property information is available via public records.

Tax lien public databases

There are four main free public databases/websites that you can use to conduct your due diligence:

Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) – allows users to view tax assessment data and information for individual parcels. (https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty/Pages/default.aspx)
Maryland Land Records – allows users to search for and view recorded documents such as deeds, mortgages, etc. related to a property. (https://mdlandrec.net)
Maryland Judiciary – allows users to search court and judgment/lien records for individuals and businesses. (http://casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/)
Office of the Register of Wills – allows users to search Maryland estate records. (http://registers.maryland.gov/main/search.html)

Based on your due diligence, you’ll work with your attorney to develop a legal strategy to meet your investment goals. Depending on your goals, you may want to foreclose as soon as possible or you may want to hold off on foreclosing and allow the interest to accrue.

Contact Attorney Ryan Lewis to schedule a free consultation

The Law Office of Ross W. Albers would like to introduce our newest team member, Ryan D. Lewis, of O’Connell, Doyle & Lewis, LLC. With this addition, we now offer new options for real property tax liens, foreclosures, landlord/tenant disputes, and multiple other real estate law issues. Ryan D. Lewis brings a vast array of real estate law knowledge which allows him to identify and quickly adapt to your legal issue. Which, minimizes your risk and when combined with his ability to leverage your asset protection, can increase your wealth through your investment.

Mr. Lewis, as well as the rest of our team, is committed to guiding you through the entire process of a tax lien purchase. We want to see your investment grow and benefit you as well as help you with any legal issue that arises throughout the process. Give the Law Office of Ross W. Albers a call today and start working with the leading Maryland tax lien attorney.