If you want a more secure future, start building a real estate portfolio - and you'll want to start with tax foreclosures. There's a lot of opportunity out there right now if you wait for an overdue tax, buy the property, and cash in. Buying tax sale property outside of auction is the least risky way to buy these types of property for $200. Here's how.

1. Tax sale is for suckers. You won't be going. Too many bidders means not enough good deals. Most good properties will get bid up close to retail value. You also have to buy this property sign unseen, which is far too dangerous. Major issues can be inside a house that looks great from the outside. Buying tax sale property is much easier if you wait for an overdue tax, then buy property outside the auction.

2. Wait until about nine months into the redemption period. This far in, most owners that are planning to pay the taxes already have. The rest of the properties will probably not be bailed out in time. This is perfect timing from the perspective of someone wanting to buy their property!

3. Find the owners, and skip-trace them to find their current contact info. There are a ton of sites on the internet that can help you accomplish this. A phone call is in order once you've gotten their contact info.

4. Since they're just letting the property go, ask if they'd sign the deed over to you. Find out what their situation is. If they are in fact letting the property go, simply ask them if you can have it. Offer $200 for their time. You may be shocked to see how many are just glad to get the deed out of their name.

5. Pay off the taxes or sell. The property will need to be redeemed as soon as possible if you're keeping it. Or you can make a smaller return by selling immediately for a very low price. (But you'll still make thousands!) You won't find a cheaper and less risky way to purchase tax deeds anywhere. Now is the right time to take the leap into property investing - the economy has made sure there will be lots of overdue tax, buy property opportunities for you to exploit. What are you waiting for?