Tax Deed Investing
The Buyer's Due Diligence & Title Protection Guide
by James K. Quigg, Certified Title Examiner
The only tax deed investing book written from a title examiner's perspective. 40,000+ words of practical, actionable guidance you won't find anywhere else.
The #1 Reason Tax Deed Investors Lose Money
Most investors focus on finding cheap properties — but they skip the due diligence that protects their investment. They don't know which liens survive a tax deed sale, how to verify the chain of title, or what the IRS can do 120 days after closing.
A single missed lien can turn a $30,000 profit into a $50,000 loss.
Who Is This Book For?
If any of these describe you, this book was written for you.
First-Time Tax Deed Buyers
You're ready to buy at auction but don't know what you don't know about title risks.
Experienced Investors
You've won properties but never had a systematic due diligence process — and it's cost you.
Burned Investors
You bought a property with hidden liens or title defects and swore "never again."
Real Estate Professionals
Agents, attorneys, and title professionals who advise clients on tax deed acquisitions.
What You'll Get Inside
40,000+ words. 13 chapters. 5 appendices. 30+ case studies. 300+ checklist items.
Table of Contents
Part One: The Landscape
- The Tax Deed Investor's Biggest Blind Spot
- What a Tax Deed Sale Actually Conveys
- The Mindset Shift: Three Questions Before You Bid
Part Two: Due Diligence
- Pre-Bid Research: The Title Examiner's Checklist
- Physical Investigation: What Records Won't Tell You
- Evaluating the Numbers: The Maximum Bid Formula
Part Three: Execution
- Auction Day: What to Bring, What to Ask, What to Avoid
- The First 30 Days After You Win
- Clearing Title: The Quiet Title Action
- Exit Strategies and Risk Management
Part Four: The Business
- Building Your Repeatable System
- The 14 Most Expensive Mistakes
Part Five: Reference
- State-Specific Deep Dive (15 States)
Appendices
- Glossary of Tax Deed Terms
- Printable Pre-Bid Due Diligence Checklist
- Printable Post-Win Action Checklist
- Property Evaluation Worksheet
- Sample Chain of Title Walkthrough
Stop Guessing. Start Doing Real Due Diligence.
Available in both Kindle and Paperback formats on Amazon.
Why This Book Is Different
Every tax deed book on Amazon was written by an investor. This one was written by the person who examines the title after you win.
Title Professional's Perspective
Written by someone who has examined thousands of titles and seen every type of hidden risk.
Most Current Content
Updated for 2026 — existing competitor books are from 2008–2016 and badly outdated.
Post-Auction Focus
The only book that comprehensively covers what happens after you win the bid.
What Readers Are Saying
Real reviews from investors, attorneys, and first-time buyers.
The due diligence manual that should come with every auction registration
"This isn't another "get rich quick at auctions" book. It's the due diligence manual I wish existed when I started. The pre-bid checklist alone has saved me from two bad deals this year — one with a surviving federal tax lien, another with an HOA super-lien that would have wiped out my equity."
— Michael R.
The formula in Chapter 6 is worth 100x the price of this book
"The Maximum Bid Formula in Chapter 6 changed how I evaluate every deal. Before this book, I was guessing at numbers and hoping for the best. Now I have a repeatable system. I've used it on 8 properties and passed on 5 of them — every one of those would have been a loss."
— Jennifer L.
Finally — a book that covers what happens AFTER the auction
"What sets this apart is the post-auction content. Every other tax deed book stops at "win the bid." This one covers quiet title actions, the IRS 120-day redemption period, and exactly what to do in the first 30 days after you win. That's where real investors need the most help."
— Robert K.
I recommend this to my clients — rare for a self-published investing book
"I'm a real estate attorney and I recommend this book to every client who asks about tax deed investing. It's written from a title examiner's perspective — not a guru's — and the level of practical detail on lien survival, chain of title issues, and environmental risks is genuinely impressive."
— Sarah M.
Perfect preparation for my first auction
"Bought this before my first Texas tax deed auction. The state-by-state reference section and the printable checklists gave me a structured process to follow instead of scrambling through county records hoping I didn't miss anything. Worth every penny."
— David P.
Available in Paperback & Kindle • Free returns on Amazon
About the Author
James K. Quigg is a certified title examiner with over 20 years of experience in real property title examination. He has examined thousands of titles across multiple states and has seen firsthand the costly mistakes investors make when they skip due diligence.
Read full bioFree Articles From the Book
Sample the depth of insight you'll find inside.
The Cost of Skipping Due Diligence Is Thousands.
The Cost of This Book Is a Few Dollars.
One missed lien, one IRS redemption, one environmental issue — any one of these can wipe out your entire profit on a deal. This book gives you the system to catch every risk before you bid.
Available on Amazon with free returns. Zero risk.
Need expert help with a specific property? Book a consultation with James.