Deposits, registration and payment

What counties usually ask for before and after you bid, and how to avoid losing your deposit.

Information only, not investment or legal advice. Sale dates, terms and deadlines change; always confirm with the county before you register or bid.

Missing a registration deadline or paying the wrong way is the most common way first-time buyers get shut out or lose money. Here's what to expect.

Registration

Most counties want you registered before the sale, sometimes days or weeks before. Expect to provide:

Your legal name, or a business name, exactly as it should appear on the certificate or deed.
A taxpayer form such as a W-9.
Contact details and, for online sales, an account on the auction site.

Deposits

Many sales require a deposit, either to register or right after you win. It may be a fixed amount, a percentage of what you plan to spend, or a percentage of each winning bid. Deposits for online sales are often due days in advance, by wire or ACH.

Paying for what you win

Payment windows are short, sometimes the same day. Accepted methods are often limited to wire transfer, cashier's check or certified funds. Personal checks and credit cards are often refused.

If you don't pay

Counties usually keep your deposit, cancel your purchase, and may ban you from future sales. Some also charge penalties.

Refunds

If a property is redeemed before the sale or the sale is cancelled, you usually get your money back, but timing varies. Ask how and when unused deposits are returned.