The chance of obtaining a house on back tax liens is very slim. Most times the owner or lien holder pays the tax lien to bring it current. Most houses that are obtained by tax lien are usually paid off and the owner has either disappeared or passed away without anyone to handle his/her financial affairs.That being said, you cannot speed up the process. For example, here in Arizona you have to go through a judicial foreclosure to obtain title and it can take anywhere from 6-9 months or more, depending upon the case. Every state is different but they do and have to give fairness to property rights of the owner and give them every chance to redeem before losing title. Owners and claim holders usually have up to the time the auction or court order is issued to pay the back taxes. It happens. My experience is to find good properties, but don't fall in love with them. Expect the owner will pay or someone will bid on it. The perk is you get either your money plus interest back or the property. Either way, its a win-win and should be looked at as that.