Back taxes owed on property

[karriwhel]

I have posted this on the Real Estate board & no one can answer, apologies for posting again. Thought someone here may know the process for when land is taken by the state for back-taxes. Thanks!

What is the name of your state? Texas

Situation: My aunt and her now ex-husband owned 4 acres of land together. She signed a quit claim deed for him to file over 2yrs ago. Unfortunately, ex did not file & she has now been served with papers stating she owed in back taxes for last year. She does not want anything to do with the property & does not know where ex-husband is. Ex-husband is obviously still on paper work. In short, if I am interested in purchasing the property how would I legally go about doing this? I had heard that it is possible to pay only the back taxes owed to purchase. Not sure if ex-husband will pay or not. No home is on land & no occupants, only various items of his stored there. I am not considering to create bad blood, just interested in property & thought if the general public was given the opportunity to purchase for back taxes owed it may as well be me! Thanks for any & all input!

[irsos]

It should be posted for auction on the courthouse steps. You win the bid, you win the property. The owner then has I think 60 or 120 days to redeem it for 120% of auction price. The owner also has until the day of the auction to pay the taxes.

[karriwhel]

irsos, do you know if once the state takes over if they then jack up the price (value of property) or if they actually sell it for only the back taxes owed? Thanks so much for your reply!

[irsos]

As I said, it is an auction. The bidders determine the price. Of course there will be a minimum bid that will be at least equal to the amount of taxes owed.