About $15 billion in property taxes goes unpaid every year in the United States. When these taxes are not paid, a tax lien is put on the property. In many states, local governments allow investors like you to pay these overdue taxes. This gives them the money they need right away for their police and firemen and all the other functions of government.

And what do you get? Your investment seldom amounts to more than 1-3% of the value of the property, so if you've taken the steps outlined in this book, your investment should be secure. And when the lien is paid, you get your money back, plus all the interest penalties the government collects, which can be 5%- 36%, depending on the laws of the state.