Posted by Kristine-CA on April 26, 2007 at 14:42:54:
No redemption period in California after tax sale. Previous owners
cannot buy back or redeem property.
There is, however, a 12 month period in which the owners can come
forward to contest the sale. For example, if the property had been sold
when the taxes actually had been paid, but the county sold the
property erroneously. Consequently, there is a 12 month waiting
period to get title insurance on tax sale properties. That being said,
there is a company that offers title policies on tax sale properties. It’s
bigger risk to them, so they charge more.
The property you are looking at is most likely being held by the person
who bought it at tax sale. Where I am this is very common for vacant
lots–they go from tax sale buyer to tax sale buyer until the area
develops, value increases, or someone figures out how to get the
county or city to allow a variance of the permiitted use.
Happy hunting.