Who is applying for tax deeds

Mostly funds. 117 certificate holders have upcoming sales on record, but the ten busiest applied for 64% of them, led by Keys Funding LLC with 288. 149 private individuals also hold certificates on 332 upcoming sales, usually a handful each in one county; they are counted here but not named.

Because they are one holder. Funds buy certificates under series names ("- 2024", "- 5024"), through custodians ("WSFS CF ..."), for beneficiaries ("FBO ...") or pledged to lenders ("... collateral assignee"), and each clerk types the name differently. We group on the fund's own name and keep every spelling on the records themselves.

Not by applying. The holder is repaid with interest if the owner redeems, or from the proceeds if the parcel sells. It takes the property only by bidding at the sale like anyone else -- or, in counties where no one bids, it does not take it at all: the parcel goes on the list of lands available for taxes.