Preparing for your first tax sale
Information only, not investment or legal advice. Sale dates, terms and deadlines change; always confirm with the county before you register or bid.
Your first tax sale goes best if you pick one county, learn its rules cold, and show up with a short list of properties you've already researched.
A month or more before
- Pick a county. Start near you or in a state whose rules you understand. Use the calendar to find a sale date that gives you time to prepare.
- Read the county's terms of sale. Look for the deposit, payment deadline, accepted payment methods, bidding method and any fees.
- Find out how the sale runs. In person, online, or both. Online sales usually require you to register on an auction site well before the sale.
Two to four weeks before
- Register. Many counties close registration days before the sale and may need a tax form (often a W-9) and an ID.
- Get the list. Download the county's list of properties when it's published. Expect it to shrink as owners pay.
- Set a budget. Decide how much you'll spend in total and the most you'll bid on each property.
One to two weeks before
- Research your shortlist. Look at each property on the county's parcel map, assessor records and street view. See Researching a property before you bid.
- Arrange funds. If the county wants a wire or certified funds, set that up with your bank ahead of time.
Sale day
- Re-check the list. Properties get pulled up to the last minute.
- Bid only on what you researched. Auctions move fast, and it's easy to overpay.
- Pay on time. Missing the deadline usually costs you your deposit.
After the sale
- Keep every receipt and certificate.
- Put redemption and filing deadlines on your calendar.
- For deeds, record your deed if the county doesn't do it for you, and get insurance in place.