With the boom in the real estate industry, California in particular has had some of the greatest gains, and that is before any type of discounts on the property are offered. Although all 58 counties in California have provisions allowing for the sale of tax lien certificates, none of them have conducted any sales. If one is looking for an investment, however, there are still ways to find it in the Golden State.

California Tax Sales

As mentioned previously, although provisions exist for tax lien certificates, California is not known to conduct sales. However, this state does offer tax deed sales, which can be just as good. With some careful research, it is possible to uncover a gem. Considering the price of housing in this beautiful state, almost anything is a gem, even if simply for the value of the land on which the home sits.

California's tax deeds have an interest rate of 18 percent, one of the higher rates in the country. Additionally, the redemption period is three years for defaults on payments. Although it is not a state to make money fast in, there is still a chance of a solid return.

If you are interested in investing in California real estate in this way, the best thing to do is find a county of interest and call the registrar--or, for that matter, do an online search first. Each one has different provisions regarding these sales, and certificates may be offered in the future. Only by getting over shyness can one really find the best deals.