Reference
Deal score
How the 0-100 deal score and A–F grade are calculated from assessed value, minimum bid, interest, redemption, and risk flags.
The deal score is a simple, transparent summary of how a parcel looks on paper. It is shown as a colored badge on parcel pages and as a column in auction parcel lists. It is a starting point for your own research, not investment advice.
What goes into the score
The score starts at 0 and adds up to 100 points from three components, then subtracts penalties for known risks.
| Component | Max points | Better when | | --- | --- | --- | | Value vs. minimum bid (assessed ÷ minimum bid) | 55 | Assessed value is higher than the minimum bid | | Interest rate | 25 | The documented redemption interest rate is higher | | Redemption period | 20 | The redemption window is shorter |
The value ratio carries the most weight because built-in equity is the main margin of safety. A ratio of 1× earns nothing and 4× or more earns the full 55 points. Interest is measured against an 18% reference rate, and redemption against a 36-month window (0 months earns the full 20 points).
Risk penalties
Known risks subtract from the total:
| Flag | Penalty |
| --- | --- |
| title_risk — title problems were flagged | −20 |
| missing_value — assessed value or minimum bid is missing | −15 |
| tiny_lot — the lot looks very small | −10 |
Letter grades
| Grade | Score | | --- | --- | | A | 85–100 | | B | 70–84 | | C | 55–69 | | D | 40–54 | | F | 0–39 |
Missing data is treated as unknown
If a value is not documented, the score does not guess it. The component simply contributes no points, the reason list says it is unknown, and if the assessed value or minimum bid is missing the missing_value penalty is applied. This means a parcel with missing data will score lower and the reasons will make clear why.
Reading it responsibly
The score uses only the fields available on the site: assessed (or adjudged) value, minimum bid, and, when documented, the state's interest rate and redemption period. It does not know about condition, title defects, back taxes, liens, or possession costs. Always confirm the county's own instructions and do your own due diligence before bidding. The score is only an estimate and can be wrong.