It seems some answerers are giving suggestions about MORTGAGE foreclosure sales, obviously they are a different ball game. Tax foreclosure properties vary depending on county laws regarding tax sherrif sale. For example in Philadelphia most tax properties will be shells in need of MAJOR repairs, because properties only go to sale after an average of 10-20 years of unpaid taxes (and they have usually been vacant for said period). I know that in some parts of Florida, if you don't pay your taxes you can be foreclosed in less than 3 years, so obviously the condition of the house will be much better. So find out how long it takes for your area to foreclose for tax purposes and then you should have a pretty good grasp on your answer.

No most homes that old in some circumstances are usually in redevelopment areas. http://www.lynn911.com

It depends on the location you are in and what your interests are. In our location we commonly see tax foreclosure sales of homes that are only a few years old.

Hope this helps,
The "Eckler Team"

I wouldn't know that i would say most tax foreclosure sales are older than 30-50 years considering the fall of the sub-prime market affected people who got loans in the past 3-5 years however, most foreclosures need rapairs (sometimes major repairs) due to the nature of the homeowner and lack of funds on their part to properly maintain or even rapair the home when problems arise.