Tax Lien Blog
Real stories from a real investor. No fluff, just what worked and what didn't.
I Bought My First Tax Lien Certificate ??? Here's Exactly What Happened
I spent $2,847 at a Cameron County auction and now earn 25% annual interest on that money.
Why I Stopped Chasing Houses and Started Buying Tax Liens
House flipping requires $50K+ per deal, contractors, timelines, and luck. Tax liens need $2,500 and research.
The Real Math: How 25% Interest Actually Works on a $2,500 Certificate
Texas law guarantees 25% interest on the first $2,500 of delinquent taxes, 18% on the next $2,500, and lower rates above that.
My 3 Biggest Tax Lien Mistakes (And What They Cost Me)
Mistake 1: I bid on a property with a senior lien I did not know about. Cost me $800 to fix.
I Bought a Tax Lien in the Wrong County - Here is What It Cost Me
Not all counties pay 25%. Some cap at 12% or have 6-month redemption periods.
I Won the Bid at 18% - Then Realized I Overpaid by $2,000
Winning a bid feels amazing until you realize the premium you paid above the minimum bid just destroyed your effective interest rate.
My First Redemption Came in 3 Months, Not 2 Years - Here is the Math
Early redemption sounds good but reduces total absolute return.
The County Said My Certificate Was Invalid - 3 Mistakes That Almost Cost Me Everything
A missing form almost voided my certificate.
I Tracked 47 Certificates in a Spreadsheet. One Mistake Cost Me $3,400.
One wrong cell in my Google Sheets cost me a missed redemption deadline. The legal fees and lost interest totaled $3,400.
Tax Lien vs Tax Deed: Why I Switched States After 2 Years
Tax lien states pay interest. Tax deed states give property.