Over 25 years of experience teaching students just like you.
THE INDUSTRY’S MOST COMPLETE TAX SALE EDUCATION
Two Master Classes That Break Down Every Step
NTLA University offers two Master Classes: Tax Sale Investing and Servicing and Tax Deed Investing. Take one or both to get the full picture, including key terminology and operational knowledge, such as:
- Due diligence and risk management
- Auction terms: bid floors, bid ceilings, premium bidding
- Foreclosure processes: judicial and administrative
- Property considerations: easements, plat maps, market value, homestead exemptions
- Lien priority, subsequent taxes, and assignment purchases
- Key financial concepts: arbitrage, liquidity, redemption curves, securitization
- Redemption periods, deed recording, and taking possession
- Quiet title actions and clearing title for resale
- Exit strategies: resale, rental, and REO property management
These definitions come directly from the NTLA course glossaries, which support deeper learning and ensure students understand the technical language of the industry.
FAQs
Click the arrows to the right below and expand the content to see a detailed list of what you will learn.
Meet Your Instructor
NTLA Executive Director Brad Westover is a nationally-recognized speaker and expert on tax lien and tax deed investing. He began his successful career in tax sale investing in 1995 and has invested over $1.5 billion from 25 states.
Brad is passionate about helping others develop their own successful tax sale investing strategy while avoiding common pitfalls. It is this passion that drove him to develop NTLA University and travel the country, delivering the two-day training program.
"Success begins with knowledge," says Brad. "And NTLA University offers the very best industry-specific, quality education that can help you get started on the right path to successful investing."
NTLA University is now 100% online and delivered on demand, making it more convenient and accessible to students.
"I want you to be successful. Proper education is the key to your success and is the best step forward to achieving your financial and professional goals," says Brad. "Successful tax sale investing generates the dollars our communities need to provide critical services such as schools, public safety and health care."
In addition to NTLA University, Brad also developed the industry's only professional designation, Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)®. To earn this designation, individuals must complete NTLA University and demonstrate three years of experience in the tax sale industry. Successful candidates must also demonstrate active participation and leadership as members of NTLA which includes adhering to the association’s Code of Ethics and Anti-Trust Compliance.
Your Complete Guide to Tax Sale Investing
See everything included in the most comprehensive tax sale investing program available. This packet gives you a clear look at the course structure, the depth of each module, and the practical knowledge you’ll gain so you can decide with confidence before enrolling.
What You Will Learn
Course 1: MASTER CLASS Tax Sale Investing and Servicing
From a basic overview of the tax sale lifecycle to more complex topics like due diligence and ROI calculation, we cover every angle of tax lien and tax deed investing across two Master Classes.
Click through the tabs below to see what you'll learn in each module.
How Everyone Benefits from Tax Sales
In this module, you will learn:
- How the essential services we depend on every day are funded
- How property tax is calculated
- Understand the different parts of a typical property tax bill
- Understand the property tax calendar
- How delinquent property taxes impact a community
- How tax sales benefit local governments, delinquent taxpayers, investors, and our communities
Understanding Tax Sale Basics
In this module, you will learn:
- What happens when property taxes become delinquent
- Common tax sale instruments
- Tax sale lifecycle
- The mission of the NTLA Foundation
- States that participate in tax lien sales
Due Diligence - The Key to Avoiding Costly Mistakes
In this module, you will learn:
- How to perform accurate and thorough due diligence
- How to create a list of properties based on your investment strategy and budget
- Electronic due diligence vs. physical inspections or drive-bys
- Questions you must ask before investing one penny
- Watch a tax lien professional in action
- Tips to help small investors compete against large investors
How to Aquire a Tax Lien
In this module, you will learn:
- Methods used to sell tax liens
- Common auction formats
- Purchasing tax liens “over the counter”
- Online tax sale auction vendors
Tax Lien Servicing and Portfolio Management
In this module, you will learn:
- Tax lien servicing basics
- Onboarding your liens and reconciling your assets
- Managing your portfolio
- Producing accurate reports
- Professional tax lien serving during the redemption period
Workouts and REO Property Management
In this module, you will learn:
- How to develop an exit strategy
- Tax certificate workouts
- Judicial and administrative property tax foreclosure
- Real Estate Owned (REO) property management
- Professional tax lien servicing after the redemption period
Grow Your Business with Financing
In this module, you will learn:
- How sensible leverage can help grow your business
- What lenders are looking for
- Portfolio analysis
- Transactions structure basics
- Securitization and other considerations
Legal Considerations
In this module, you will learn:
- Bankruptcy:
- Types of Bankruptcy
- What You Must Know About Bankruptcy
- Tax foreclosure
- Post-Sale Compliance
- Federal Tax Lien
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Recovery of Legal Expenditures
Tax Sales and the Sherman Antitrust Act
In this module, you will learn:
- The origins of the Sherman Antitrust Act and how it applies to the tax sale industry
- How to avoid misconduct in relation to collusion, bid rigging, an auction formats
- General practices to keep yourself and your employees safe from an investigations
- What to do if you’re confronted with misconduct
Case Study: Three Sisters, Three Strategies
In this module, you will learn:
- The results of three different investment strategy approaches
- How to apply lien-to-value ratio in real-world scenarios
- The importance of due diligence and having an investment strategy
Your Future in the Tax Sale Industry
In this module, you will learn:
- How bad educators are doing a disservice to our industry
- How NTLA provides the high quality education you need to succeed in the tax sale industry
- How to identify–and avoid!–bad educators in the tax sale industry
- What to do if you believe you have been scammed by a bad educator
- How to continue on your path to success in the tax sale industry
Master Class Review and Final Exam
The final exam is a rigorous test of your knowledge, which is why we strongly recommend the following in the course:
- Download and print the Study Guide to help you self-assess your knowledge
- Take the time to take each learning assessment again.
- Note any questions you answered incorrectly.
- Download and print the Course Glossary.
You will have three opportunities to take the final exam to achieve a passing grade of 70% or greater.
Course 2: MASTER CLASS Tax Deed Investing
Designed for beginner and intermediate investors, this course covers the fundamentals of tax deeds, due diligence, auction strategies, legal considerations, quiet title actions, exit strategies, financing, and state-by-state variations. Supplemental resources, case studies, checklists, and visual guides help you finish with practical knowledge and actionable strategies.
Click through the tabs below to see what you'll learn in each module.
Welcome to Master Class in Tax Deed Investing
In this module, you will learn:
- What to expect from this Master Class and how the course is organized
- Who this course is designed for, from beginner to intermediate investors
- How tax deed investing differs from tax lien investing
- How to use the supplemental resources, case studies, checklists, and visual guides
Practical Steps of Tax Deed Investing
In this module, you will learn:
- The tax deed process from start to finish
- How to find upcoming tax deed sales
- How to set investment goals and build a budget
- Key terminology used throughout the tax deed industry
Due Diligence in Tax Deed Investing
In this module, you will learn:
- How to research a property before the auction
- How to review title, liens, and encumbrances that may survive the sale
- How to evaluate property condition, location, and market value
- How to spot red flags and avoid costly mistakes
Auction Strategies and Bidding Tactics
In this module, you will learn:
- The different types of tax deed auctions, both online and in person
- How to prepare for auction day
- How to set a maximum bid and stick to it
- Bidding tactics used by experienced investors
Redemption Periods, Deed Recording, and Taking Possession
In this module, you will learn:
- How redemption periods and deed laws vary from state to state
- What happens after you win a property at auction
- How to record your deed properly
- How to take possession of the property lawfully, including occupied properties
Quiet Title Actions & Clearing Title for Resale
In this module, you will learn:
- Why title insurers may not insure a tax deed right away
- How a quiet title action works and when you need one
- Other options for clearing title
- How to prepare a property for a clean resale
Exit Strategies, Workouts & REO Property Management
In this module, you will learn:
- Exit strategies for resale, rental, or redemption profit
- How to negotiate workouts with former owners
- How to manage REO properties effectively
- How to choose the right exit for each property
Financing & Scaling Your Tax Deed Business
In this module, you will learn:
- Ways to finance your tax deed purchases
- How to use partnerships to grow your portfolio
- How to scale your business responsibly
- How to manage risk as your portfolio grows
Legal Considerations in Tax Deed Investing
In this module, you will learn:
- How to manage legal risks tied to tax deed properties
- How IRS liens can affect your investment
- How bankruptcy can affect a tax deed sale
- How to identify and manage environmental liabilities
Tax Sales & The Sherman Antitrust Act
In this module, you will learn:
- What the Sherman Antitrust Act is and why it matters at tax sales
- Bidding practices that can violate antitrust law
- How to stay compliant and protect your business
- Ethical investing practices consistent with NTLA standards
Case Study: Three Investors, Three Tax Deed Strategies
In this module, you will learn:
- How three investors approached tax deed investing differently
- How to compare strategies, risks, and returns
- Lessons you can apply to your own investing strategy
Your Future in the Tax Deed Industry
In this module, you will learn:
- How to build your next steps as a tax deed investor
- How to give back to communities by supporting local governments and organizations like the NTLA Foundation
- How NTLA membership, webinars, and the CTLP designation can support your growth
Master Class Review and Final Exam
The final exam is a rigorous test of your knowledge, which is why we strongly recommend the following in the course:
- Download and print the Study Guide to help you self-assess your knowledge
- Take the time to take each learning assessment again.
- Note any questions you answered incorrectly.
- Download and print the Course Glossary.
You will have three opportunities to take the final exam to achieve a passing grade of 70% or greater.
Connect & Grow
Being a member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) aligns you with a powerful network of seasoned tax lien and deed professionals and grow through trusted education. (plus, you get a discount to this and other courses)
What You Can Expect
100% on demand access.
8+ hours of quality education.
Immediate access to course materials.
Self-assessments to test your knowledge.
Receive a certificate of course completion when you complete all required modules and pass the final exam.
How to Get Started
NTLA University provides the solid foundation you need to build a successful tax lien and tax deed investing strategy.
There are two paths to success:
Path 1, Connect & Learn
- Become a member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) and purchase either Master Class (Tax Sale Investing and Servicing or Tax Deed Investing) at a discount.
- Being a member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) aligns you with a powerful network of seasoned tax lien and deed professionals and grow through trusted education.
Path 2, Strictly Education
- You are not required to be a member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) to access NTLA University's online education platform.
- Anyone can get started for $1,499 per Master Class, which includes a 1-year subscription to explore the course.
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