Will paying back real estate taxes give me ownership to a home?

My grandmother recently passed away leaving her house to my cousin. He has no job and no way of taking care of this house. The taxes on the property have not been payed in 7 years. There is no lien against the house, so what is it that I have been hearing about tax sales. If I pay these back due taxes, do I have ownership to the home? Or what other rights will it give me?

Public Comments

1. Not likely. The property has to be listed by local authorities as being for sale for back taxes, and even then it is likely to be sent "to auction" wherein the value that wins the bid will return the balance, after tax payment and fees, to the rightful owner - your cousin. If you think you have some sort of right to full or partial ownership, contact a lawyer, who can file an action against the estate. Check here: http://www.ehow.com/how_2157257_purchase-home-back-taxes.html
2. so, if i'm sick, and forget to pay my taxes, you think you should be able to pay my taxes and take my house. have i got that right? is that really what you're asking? and to be fair, if you own a house, and for some reason don't pay your taxes, you think it's okay if i sneak in and pay them and take your house. that would be alright with you? Or not?
3. no, but it can lead to that in about a year in Georgia the homeowner has up until to pay you back with interest
4. I am not sure if it is the same in all states, but I know that in some states you can pay the back taxes on the home. The person that owns that home then has a certain amount of time (we are talking at least a year, maybe longer) to pay you back for the taxes or you can claim ownership on the home. It works a little differently if there is a lien on the home. However once you own the home then you have to go through the eviction process which can be very difficult. Talk to the county treasurer, they can give you all the details. You do not have to wait for the home to be taken by the county and put on auction. I was curious and did some research, some states changed the laws and you do have to wait for it to be taken and put up for auction. It varies from state to state, but the county treasurers office will have all that information for you.
5. Professional investors watch the tax sales, and show up at the tax sale auctions. So it is unlikely that you will be able to own the home for merely the taxes due. Call your local tax office, ask what the status of the home is and when the home will be offered for tax auction.