Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens & Deeds: How to Earn High Rates of Return - Safely

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

From reading the cover you might think this is another get rich quick idea. After reading the book, however, you'll find a hype-free matter of fact approach. All the benefits and pitfalls (at least that I could think of) are covered. I went to a seminar where someone pitched an expensive package of services to help someone who wanted to invest in tax lien certificates. Instead I bought this book. It will answer your questions and help you decide if you want to proceed. What the book does not include are all the little details you'll need to actually execute a purchase. This varies a lot by state and would require the book to double in size. So, if you just want to know about these investments, I recommend this book. If you are ready to invest, you'll need more information.

Tax lien and tax deed investing are complicated subjects, made even more complicated by the huge variations in laws from state to state. This book explains the different details with great clarity.

The book opens with general chapters that explain why the differences between tax liens and tax deeds, the things an investor must consider when planning such an investment, and guidelines that will help make the process more comfortable. For example, even an experienced investor may have little experience with auctions, which is the method most governments use to sell tax liens and deeds - "The Complete Guide" has tips on what to bring and do in those situations.

Also in the early chapters, Burrell uses real world examples to help explain points - showing, for example, the forms used to register for an auction in Los Angeles. Later, Burrell discusses subjects like foreclosing (the painful part for those of us without thick skin) and getting financing for a tax lien or tax deed investment.

However, the key parts of the book are the tables (I think there are about 20); Chapter 12, which has a comprehensive breakdown of the different state laws; and the exceptionally comprehensive, 60-page (you read that right!) glossary.

Tax lien investing is interesting. They are touted as a surefire winning ivestments and many "experts" offer training costing thousands of dollars to "train" you on how to invest in these "goldmines". Do yourself a favor, buy this book and avoid the seminars. You are going to learn by experience and this book will help you get started. The seminars are simply going to part you and your money. Tax liens are not as easy as they sound. You cannot simply go down to the courthouse and buy a 25% lien. Most people trying to get you into this game neglect to mention the fact that large companies will flood the market with lowball offers to obtain a majority of the better tax liens.

I bought Tax Lien books written by Larry Loftis, Jamaine Burrell and Don Sausa and read them in the order listed. All are excellent books. I recommend that you buy all 3 books if you are serious about understanding tax lien investing. I have posted reviews in a "bundled" fashion under all 3 books. You can buy all 3 from amazon for 449.

Loftis consists of 3 parts and 2 appendices. Part one talks about tax liens, part two about tax deeds, part three about the list of states. He discusses procedures of purchasing tax certificates, strategies for investing through liens/deeds, how to compete effectively against the so-called "institutional" investors. He shows the reader how to calculate the yield under different scenarios.

Burrell's book is very detailed, matter of fact approach. All the benefits and pitfalls are covered. There are 11 chapters that discusses in detail liens, deeds, tax sale procedures, delinquent properties, bidding, income and growth, how to obtain financing, legal issues such as setting up LLCs or PCs, foreclosures, various state laws etc.

Don Sausa has takes a complex subject and simplifies it. After reading the first two books, reading Sausa's book is a breeze. It suggests a chapter a day but I think you can probably read through this entire book in about 3 hours. If goes step by step.

Investing in tax liens requires, time, patience and money. One cannot do this "on the side" but it can certainly be a full time job and I can see the potential rewards.

I purchased this book after reading all the 5 star reviews indicated it was the book to buy. I find the book lacking in important details you need to start investing in tax deeds safely. While the book goes into all the aspects of the auctions I can't find anywhere in the book that covers the research that must be done prior to purchasing a tax deed. Without this info one could purchase a tax deed for a vacant lot of swamp land. Or worse you could find yourself responsible for other liens attached to the property. It's also possible to get stuck with an EPA superfund site requiring cleanup or penalty's are assessed.

Recently, I finished reading this book and found that it was reasonably easy to read and understand. This is the first book that I have read cover to cover on this seemingly complicated subject. This book is well written and flows as well or better than a text book, however may lack the personal style or past experiences, many like myself may be seeking to hand hold or walk the reader closer to their goals.

In my opinion, this book is an excellent place to start since it seems very thorough, well researched and appears to offer an excellent overview of tax lien investing. In addition, the author shared the potential for success and/or loss, however does not give much in the way of personal opinions or what some may suggest would be fluff or an overly positive sell on the appeal of this type of investing. Therefore, the points made seem to be based on objective research rather than biased hype through personal opinion.

The author explains generally much of what needs to be done in order to invest in this type of investment, however does not go into great detail or depth on what specific steps need to be taken to actually get there. My gut feeling is that it usually takes reading a few books on the subject or taking a comprehensive course to gain a well rounded level of knowledge on most subjects. Also, most tax lien states have their similarities, but also have distinct differences which may be a complicated task to achieve, in a book of this size.

Although there are very good general suggestions and guidance on how to get started and what needs to be done to be successful, as well as how to minimize the chance for loss, it seems that the author does not go as deep as some other authors on this subject. It is not clear how much personal experience the author has had in the area of tax lien investment, since I do not rememeber personal experiences being shared or much in the way of tips for success from experience.

That tempered with the fact that the author has consulted with other investors for their input and contribution and appears to have done a great deal of research, based upon the bibliography in the book suggests that the author did their professional homework. Additionally, following a review of other books written by the author, it is apparent they have had success in writing on other related subjects such as investment, real estate and business. Therefore in my opinion the author has created a very useful tool to begin building a foundation of knowledge, on the subject.

As prior reviewers have mentioned, this area of investment takes a certain amount of knowledge and experience in order to be successful, therefore one should not expect that reading one book on the subject will prepare the reader to do so without further education and experience. As others have mentioned doing, I too have purchased another book or two on the subject to gain a deeper and more well rounded education, on the subject.

In conclusion, I feel confident in recommending this book as a good source of general information in order to begin the education process of building a foundation, in this area of investment. However, as mentioned earlier, as with most books on investment a reader will likely need to read a few books or more in order to have a well rounded knowledge, on this somewhat complicated subject.

So what the heck are "tax lien instruments" and why would you want to invest in them? That's what I asked myself when I picked up this book. By the time I was done reading, I not only had the answers I needed, I couldn't wait to get started!

As you'll learn in this complete how-to from Jamaine Burrell, there's enormous profit to be made in the little-known, but high-yield goldmines found in tax liens and deeds. IF you do it right. With these tax lien secrets, proven ideas, and hands-on hints compiled from thousands of hours spent talking to the tax lien pros, it's a can't miss. Yes! If you know what you're doing, you can take advantage of high tax lien returns, with little or no risk. And this book shows you how--from start to finish.

-- Robert Gardner

The average person may not know what tax liens or deeds are. However, when done with this book, it will be quite clear what each is and what the differences between them are. With the entire first chapter devoted to tax lien states, tax deed states and tax lien certificates, this book is a great resource with some relevant, timely information.

Once you have learned just what liens and deeds are, you will then learn the process of obtaining them as investments. You will find information on the tax sales that government holds and other forms of sales, how to place bids, the various types of properties you can bid on, and how to get the funds to purchase. All of this information is given to you in easy to digest chapters with sub-headings and bulleted lists which are quick to read and easy to understand.

The last chapter is packed with state laws, which will be very pertinent to anyone planning to make these kinds of investments. There is also a glossary for any terminology the reader may not be familiar with.

In all, this book would be a welcome addition to public libraries with a large population of investors or for the personal collection of someone thinking about making these types of purchases.

Most people don't know about investing in tax liens and deeds. This can be a very lucrative investment opportunity. There is the potential for large returns on your investment. In many cases, investing in tax liens and deeds is more profitable than traditional investments, such as real estate and the stock market. To profit from the investment potential, you need to know what you are doing. That's where this book can help.

The book covers everything you need to know to invest in tax liens or deeds. Some states are deed states and others are tax lien states. Information on the procedures and laws of each state are included in easy to read charts in the book. There is a directory of states with contact information for each state. In addition, the author has interviewed investors who have been very successful. The book contains hundreds of tips from these successful individuals.

There is very little risk associated with this type of investment. However, all investments carry some degree of risk. This book will help you identify and understand these risks. In addition, the book offers strategies for ways to minimize the risk. These strategies along with the other tips will help you get the best return with the least amount of risk from your investment. If you don't know how to fund your investment, this book can help with this as well.

Jamaine Burrell has authored a book entitled "The Complete Guide to Investing in Real Estate Tax Liens and Deeds" that explains the system of investing using tax sale auctioning of houses, residential complexes and commercial buildings. The book is a big help in deciphering the tax liens and deeds investing that many people shun because of misunderstanding how the system works.

Tax Lien Certificates are misunderstood by novice investors who allow great opportunities slip between their fingers. Burrell explains differences between the tax liens and tax deeds providing definitions that are simple to understand. There are helpful charts in the books that explain which states operate under a tax deed system or a tax lien system. These are great tools to have, especially if you are just beginning in the business.

One of the benefits of the book is that it features information on tax sale listings, type of investments (multiple-family housing units, homestead properties) and obtaining dollars from investors. It also shows the reader how to analyze the economy to know when to invest in these types of properties and when to wait, all which are great tools that can be used when investing in real estate of any kind.