The 16% Solution: How To Get High Interest Rates in a Low Interest World with Tax Lien Certificates

by Joel S. Moskowitz

Hardcover, 1994

Status

Available

Call number

332.6324

Genres

Collection

Anomaly Archives

Publication

Andrews McMeel Publishing (1994), Edition: Reprint, 208 pages

Description

Dealing with unpaid taxes? Looking for investment opportunities? With home foreclosures at an all-time high and the erratic stock market damaging 401(k) accounts, people are looking for innovative ways to invest their money and improve their financial situation through different investment vehicles. Moskowitz explains what tax lien certificates are (liens against property for unpaid taxes), why they are safe investments (certain states insure them), and how they fit into an overall financial plan. This new edition includes updates to the laws and procedures of states and counties that offer tax lien certificates.

User reviews

LibraryThing member IslandDave

Upfront, let me note that this is a review of the book's method, readability, and conveyance of otherwise unfamiliar terms and processes and is NOT a review of the application of the book's investment advice. That out of the way, this fairly straightforward primer on tax liens, a subject I was

wholly ignorant of prior to getting this book, is an easy read, advocates a fairly simple strategy, and offers sound advice on contingencies in the process. Having sat down and breezed through this book in no time, I felt confident enough to look deeper in to tax lien investments.

The beauty of the strategy, its often rural, old-school roots, is complimented with this book's approachability and down-to-earth language and instruction. Anyone with funds to consider tax liens is capable of consuming the information herein and using it as a basis of taking the next step in the process. Easily read, straightforward information, sound advice, and a tone that is not one of simple blind cheerleading advocacy, but instead is a level-headed introduction to a fairly simple process. Three and one-half stars: five star advice, but not a book you want to sit and read for enjoyment. Recommended for investors and potential investors.

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LibraryThing member tursach_anam

It's a pretty straight-forward topic that probably doesn't need a book. However, I purchased it upon recommendation and I think the value lies in it laying out the topic in easily digestible sections, while offering encouragement to pursue this type of investment.

LibraryThing member meklarian

At first glance I would have expected this book to be questionable and perhaps even misleading. However, upon reading the book, it seems to offer reasonable advice on how to pursue tax lien certificates as an investment. Unfortunately, I am still skeptical of the author's claim of 16% returns. With

all the details and matters to be considered as presented by the author, perhaps only an energetic and fortunate few may achieve that rate of return. In addition, much of the material reveals a number of time-sensitive issues and potential legalities that may be too tough to hurdle for those who are looking to enter this market.

Worth reading if you are curious, as I was. Proceed with caution if you are going to try it.

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LibraryThing member Nitestar

The 16% Solution is a great investment tool for those interested in investing in Tax Liens. This type of investment is way safer than many others and, at times like this, is probably a good bet.

The trick is to find these tax liens. This means lots and lots of research and certainly the 16%

Solution helps with that. This book is a how to book that explains every aspect of this little known? investment strategy.

I found it to be informative, thorough and very well explained.

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LibraryThing member Lilac_Lily01

Before reading "The 16% Solution" by J.S.Moskowitz I had never even heard of tax lien certificates. Thankfully this book is very easy to understand, and breaks it all down into simple steps, even for the financially challenged among us. The layout makes it very easy to read and the wide sidebars

give you plenty of space for some personal notes.
The content includes a good definition of Tax Lien Certificates and why one might need them. It goes over how to actually acquire them, how to avoid worthless properties and scams, and it helps you to understand how to get your money or the property.
After reading this book I'm pretty eager to get my own Tax Lien Certificates and I'm glad I came across this book. Definitely worth my time.

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LibraryThing member NQTBradyBunch

Having some experience with Tax Liens, I found this book to be very informative, and filled with wise advice for avoiding possible bad investments. The chapters were short--some of them ridiculously short--and the format and language is very easy to read. The book is fully informational about what

tax liens are and how to research more about them. As far as actually earning 16% on your investment, that is questionable. After factoring in the cost of research and the time involved, there is still money to be made; however, for the beginner, it may be difficult to realize that return. Just like any investing, though, there will be some trial and error. In this market, there may be many properties that, because of the neighborhood/economic climate/number of other homes for sale, may not necessarily sell for any price, but it is advised to look for win-win situations for the property owners that are being foreclosed. It does take a certain callousness to throw a family out of their home, should the certificates be converted eventually to ownership.
This fairly quick read is not for pleasurable reading, but it is filled with information, including covering how bankruptcy may possibly be a factor. A great book for the beginner, or someone who wants to expand into more areas.

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LibraryThing member jessicawest

The original 16% Solution came out in 1994. I just finished the 2009 edition, which has been updated in many ways. The 16% Solution is about investing in tax lien certificates, which is something that I had never heard of before. Basically it involves buying tax liens from county governments, and

then rather than the county earning the interest, you now earn the interest. Only 23 states sell their tax liens in this way, but Moskowitz includes all of this information for you.
The major differences between this edition and the first one is the fact that many counties now do their auctions online, or at least have websites that have very detailed information about the procedure. Moskowitz includes web addresses for all of the relevant counties. He also includes advice that is based on the current economic situation, rather than what the economy looked like back in 1994. The world is a different place now.
At first I was wary of tax liens - I felt that it must be in some way bad for the person whose lien is being sold, the person who has been unable to pay their property taxes. I would hate to participate in a system that made it easier for people to lose their homes because I bought the lien on their unpaid property tax. But in many states, it's actually better for the property owner - at the auction, the person who wins the bid is the one who will take the lien at the lowest rate of interest. Granted, some states seem to make it very easy to foreclose on someone, but I was interested in the states that seemed to be the most fair to the property-holder. All-in-all, this book makes tax lien investing sound like a really good deal. I plan on checking it out when I have the extra money ready to invest. And I will have this book read for when I need it.

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LibraryThing member Wiszard

Joel S. Moskowitz’s latest revision of his book, “The 16% Solution: How to Get High Interest Rates in a Low Interest World with Tax Lien Certificates” is a great introduction and resource into the investment area of Tax Lien Certificates. Moskowitz writes in an easy to understand style that

explains the reasons for and the pitfalls that can happen when one invests in this instrument. Moskowitz also explains that this type of investment relies heavily on research. That said, unfortunately, I don’t live in a state that offers these investments so I would need to travel to a different state to apply his advice. This was a good book for learning a new investment topic. I highly recommend this for investors looking to expand their portfolio diversification.

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LibraryThing member nscocozzo

I was hesitant to review this book since I could help wanting to review the concept of the tax liens versus how the book covers tax liens. I think the author did a great job discussing the ins-and-outs of tax liens for the beginning investor. His detail at the end of the book for numerous states

would be worth getting the book if you are in one of those states and gung-ho about tax liens. I think the author could have done more to emphasis that this is not a book for people using retirement money. It's for people who are already maxed out on that, have a significant emergency fund, etc, and want to play with money... At least that's what I got out of the book after going through it.

Conclusion - good book, be careful with it, and it would have been nice for more hand holding in how to do it.

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LibraryThing member jeremiahstover

An interesting look at a little known revenue stream. Basically this is the definitive guide to making money on Tax Lien Certificates. The rates vary greatly by state, however the rates are much better than those available from other assets. It is also interesting to note that tax liens are more

secure than many other investments as they are backed by real property. In the current depressed market this may very well be the best way to make money on real estate. (I have not finished the book yet).

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LibraryThing member gordsellar

I think I must have requested this book for review by mistake. In any case, I thought the writing was alright, but it rapid;y became apparent that it was inapplicable to my situation. I also found myself wondering whether I could write a story about people engaged in this kind of stuff, and I think

that's about the most useful thing I found. Not badly written, just... not my cup of tea.

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