It seems like it has been a long time since I have gone more then 24 hours without somebody (especially the media) mentioning that the real estate market is falling apart. Foreclosure rates are at an all-time high, and have been breaking, monthly, quarterly, and yearly records for awhile now. These trends have prompted many savvy investors, not-so-savvy investors, and the common Joe to try to get into the real estate game.

Unfortunately the not-so-savvy investors are sometimes adding to the foreclosure rates themselves when they cannot sell their rehabbed projects and cannot afford to carry them because of cash flow problems. Yes, if you do not know what you are doing real estate can be a very difficult and risky game. That is not to say the average person should not try his/her hand at buying and selling real estate. However, with a little research, a lot of patience, and some good knowledge you can become very successful in the real estate world.

One of the most powerful ways to get started in real estate investing is through tax lien certificates. These certificates are created when an investor will pay the delinquent taxes on a property, thus providing the states with the revenue they count on. The investment is secured with a tax lien, which essentially states that if the homeowner does not repay the investor (with a handsome interest rate) within a certain time period, the investor takes ownership of the property.

To give you an example of how lucrative this strategy can be, taxes on a $125,000 home in a suburb in Iowa (where real estate is generally pretty stable and does not feel the highs and lows of the market quite as strongly as the coastal states do) are approximately $1,400. That is right, if the homeowner does not pay the taxes on his/her property, an investor could own it for about the cost of two monthly payments.

Tax sales are held in all 50 states and are open to anybody from any state (in fact, some states even hold their auctions online). So, if you have never invested in tax lien certificates or if you are looking for a low-cost way to get into the real estate investing world, I recommend you give some serious thought to tax lien certificate sales. They could provide you with a lifetime of wealth at a very affordable investment.

For more information on investing through tax lien certificates, check out my blog at http://www.taxsaleinvesting.wordpress.com