Government auctions and tax sales generally occur when a homeowner is unable to pay the property taxes on their home, or their home is abandoned.

In the U.S., when city or county taxes aren't paid for an extended period of time, the property is considered "sold to the state," meaning that the deed is transferred to the area's local governing authority.

In most cases, the former owner is given a five-year window of opportunity to redeem their home by paying overdue taxes, penalties, and other costs. If the property is not reclaimed in this manner within five years, the city or county can put it up for sale in a government auction.

Most of these tax sale properties are priced for a quick sale, which often puts them well below fair market value. This is a great opportunity for first time homebuyers or low income families to swoop in and pick up a discounted home in an otherwise unattainable area.

The most important thing to remember before doing this, of course, is to make a detailed list of all expenses (including taxes) associated with the property, to ensure that it is within your price range, and won't be back on the auction block anytime soon.

For additional details on how to find cheap real estate listings in cities throughout America, you should refer to Cheap Real Estate.net