Why Core Tax Deeds Stands with the NTLA: Transparency, Ethics, and the Future of Property Tax Investing
At Core Tax Deeds LLC, we believe that the best investments are built on more than spreadsheets. They are built on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to community. That belief is central to why our fund manager, John Berlet, is a proud member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA).
More than just a membership badge, the NTLA represents a national coalition of ethical investors, tax professionals, and public officials who understand the critical role property taxes play in funding local government. Together, we are defending responsible investment practices, supporting distressed homeowners, and ensuring that tax deed and lien investing remains both accessible and fair.
In this article, we explore what the NTLA stands for, why it matters to investors, and how Core Tax Deeds’ values align with this national movement to strengthen one of the most misunderstood corners of the real estate market.
Property Taxes Are the Backbone of Our Communities
The July 2025 NTLA newsletter opens with a striking truth: “Property taxes are the lifeblood of the American dream.” They are the primary revenue source for vital public services like education, police, fire protection, emergency response, and infrastructure. In fact, property taxes fund more than 80% of public school budgets nationwide.
Without them, local governments would face enormous deficits, and communities would lose access to the basic resources that maintain their safety, health, and long-term vitality.
Yet across the country, a growing number of political initiatives threaten to weaken or eliminate property tax systems altogether. Some proposals aim to phase out property taxes completely, while others undermine enforcement processes such as tax lien sales and tax deed foreclosures. These trends pose not just a financial risk to local governments but a structural risk to our democracy.
The NTLA is not sitting quietly. They are actively defending these essential systems with public education, legislative advocacy, and direct engagement with government officials, media outlets, and grassroots networks. And we at Core Tax Deeds are proud to be part of that effort.
John Berlet: A Voice for Ethical Investing
For over three decades, John Berlet has worked in real estate and investment advising, building a legacy of trust with clients and a strong track record in tax deed acquisitions. After selling a $52 million book of managed assets, John turned his attention to Texas tax deeds, a niche he believes combines opportunity with public benefit.
John joined the NTLA because its mission aligns with his core values: promote fairness, protect property rights, support transparency, and ensure that investment activity contributes to the common good. As the NTLA newsletter emphasizes, now is a critical time for ethical investors to step up and help steer the future of the industry.
As a member of the NTLA, John has access to legislative tracking, national conferences, public policy updates, and peer networks—resources that directly inform our strategy at Core Tax Deeds. They also ensure our investors benefit from best-in-class practices and national insight.
What the NTLA Is Doing Right Now
The NTLA is currently engaged in several major initiatives:
- Public Advocacy: Through LinkedIn campaigns and national news releases, the NTLA is reframing the narrative around tax sales. Far from being exploitative, these systems preserve community funding and offer second chances to distressed properties.
- Legislative Engagement: As highlighted in the newsletter, NTLA is investing in new AI-powered platforms to track and respond to legislation affecting property tax enforcement in all 50 states. This ensures that investor rights and public interest are balanced.
- Community Support via the NTLA Foundation: From paying off back taxes for disabled veterans to helping families avoid foreclosure, the NTLA Foundation steps in where government support stops. These real-life stories show that tax investors can be community protectors.
- National Education Events: The upcoming NTLA Fall Symposium in Savannah (October 23–24, 2025) will bring together leaders in the tax lien and deed space. These events share strategy, update stakeholders on legal trends, and foster valuable relationships among professionals.
These efforts aren’t abstract. They directly shape the market environment in which Core Tax Deeds operates. By participating in these discussions, John and our team ensure that your investment is not just profitable, but informed, responsible, and future-proof.
Why This Matters to You as an Investor
You might be wondering: how does NTLA membership translate to value in my investment?
Here are five reasons:
- Enhanced Due Diligence: NTLA members have access to national research, property law updates, and tools that help sharpen the evaluation of tax deed properties. That means better decisions and fewer surprises.
- Reputational Integrity: Being NTLA-affiliated signals to counties, legal firms, and buyers that we operate with integrity. This often improves negotiation outcomes and speeds up post-auction processes.
- Investor Protections: The NTLA is one of the only organizations actively fighting for a fair and balanced investment environment. This includes protections against fraud, inconsistent procedures, and abrupt legal changes.
- Policy Influence: Through John’s NTLA involvement, Core Tax Deeds has a voice in shaping the future of tax deed investing at the national level. We’re not reacting to rules; we help shape them.
- Mission Alignment: For investors who care about doing good while doing well, the NTLA’s charitable work and education outreach reinforce our shared mission: to invest in ways that revitalize communities and return dignity to neglected properties.
Core Tax Deeds: A Reg CF Issuer with National Credentials
Core Tax Deeds is proud to be a Regulation Crowdfunding (Reg CF) offering. That means we meet specific standards for disclosure, investor eligibility, and financial reporting.
We are also proud to exceed those minimums by publishing independently audited financials, maintaining detailed property performance updates, and offering low investment minimums so that almost anyone can participate.
NTLA membership adds yet another layer of credibility, showing that our fund manager is engaged with national best practices and that our values align with a more ethical, professional future for this asset class.
Final Thought: Now Is the Time to Pay Attention
The NTLA’s message is clear: this is a defining moment for the future of property tax investing. With public policy shifting rapidly and misinformation clouding public discourse, only organized, ethical investors can lead the way.
At Core Tax Deeds, we are committed to transparency, compliance, and community-first investment practices. Our NTLA membership isn’t symbolic—it’s strategic. It reflects how we approach every property, every dollar, and every investor.
To learn more about our offering or review our financials, visit: invest.coretaxdeeds.com
We invite you to join us,and the NTLA in investing for a stronger future.
For more about the National Tax Lien Association, visit ntla.org. For questions about Regulation CF compliance, contact our listing partner Silicon Prairie: Allison Miettunen at allison.miettunen@sppx.io.