Jul 13, 2026Strategy8 min read
Tax Lien vs Tax Deed: Why I Switched States After 2 Years
M
Marcus Cole
Tax lien investor since 2019
TL;DR
- →Tax lien states pay interest. Tax deed states give property.
- →I spent two years in lien states before deed states offered better upside.
- →Cash flow investors choose liens. Asset investors choose deeds.
Audio narration by Marcus Cole
The Fundamental Difference
Lien States: You pay taxes and earn interest. Texas, Arizona, Colorado. Deed States: You bid on the property. Florida, California, Georgia.
My Two Years in Lien States
I averaged 18% returns. Solid. But deed investors were buying properties at forced-sale discounts.
What Deed States Offer
In Florida I bought a property for $8,400 appraised at $85,000. Sold for $72,000.
Marcus Field Notes
I run both. Lien certificates for cash flow. Deed properties for upside. Take the Lien vs Deed Quiz.
Keywords this article targets
tax lien vs tax deedtax deed auctiontax lien deed statetax deed Floridalien vs deed investing
Continue Reading
Start Tracking Your Portfolio
Add your first certificate and watch your money grow. Free to start.
Get Started Free