Not legal, tax, or investment advice. Data comes from public sources and may be incomplete or out of date; confirm with the county before bidding.

Reference

FAQ

Common questions from first-time tax sale buyers.

Do I get the property?

It depends on the sale type. In a tax deed sale you usually get the property. In a tax lien sale you get a claim and are usually repaid with interest or a penalty; you only get the property if the owner does not redeem and you complete a tax deed application. A redeemable deed gives you title that the owner can still take back during the redemption window.

How long is the redemption period?

It is set by state law and can run from none to several years. Some states have longer periods for homesteads or agricultural land. The exact length is on each state rules page.

What is a bid-down?

A bidding method where the interest rate is bid down instead of the price bid up. The winner is the bidder who accepts the lowest rate, and the lien sells for the amount owed.

What happens if the owner redeems?

You are repaid the amount you paid plus the interest or penalty the law allows, and the sale is undone. You do not get the property.

Can I inspect the property first?

Usually not from the inside. Many sales are as-is with no interior access. Inspect from the outside where lawful and assume deferred maintenance.

Can I back out after winning?

Generally no. Deposits are often non-refundable, and failing to pay by the deadline can cost you the deposit and sometimes the right to bid in the future.

Do I need a lawyer?

For a lien or a simple deed, many buyers start with a title search and county instructions. For quiet title, eviction, or contested title, a local attorney experienced in tax sales is strongly recommended. This site is not a substitute for legal advice.

Which liens survive the sale?

It varies by state and by sale type. Mortgages, judgments, IRS liens, easements, and HOA claims may or may not be cleared. Confirm this for the specific parcel before bidding; it is one of the biggest sources of loss.

How do I know the data is correct?

Each rule links to an official source and includes a quote, and each rule is confidence-scored. See Data sources for the method. Even so, confirm current procedure with the county before bidding.

Is there an API?

Not yet. The API is planned for the Pro tier; see the API page.

No. The information here comes from public sources and may be incomplete or out of date. Confirm with the county before bidding.