Online vs. in-person tax auctions
Information only, not investment or legal advice. Sale dates, terms and deadlines change; always confirm with the county before you register or bid.
More counties now run tax sales online, but plenty still hold them in a courthouse or county building. The rules for each format differ, so check before you plan.
In-person sales
- Usually held at a set time and place, often a courthouse.
- You may need to register on site or ahead of time, and bring ID and a deposit.
- Bidding is out loud or by bidder card, and it moves fast.
- Payment is often due the same day, by certified funds.
In-person sales favor people who live nearby, which can mean fewer bidders.
Online sales
- Run on a county site or a private auction platform the county hires.
- Registration closes ahead of the sale and usually requires a deposit, a tax form and sometimes proof of funds.
- Some sales let you place bids ahead of time, others run live, and some run batches of properties on a timer.
- Platforms charge their own fees in some counties. Read the platform's rules and the county's terms.
Online sales attract bidders from everywhere, which often means more competition and lower returns.
Which is better?
Neither. Pick the county, then learn its format. If you're new, an in-person sale lets you watch how it works. Just go once without bidding.
We link to auction platforms from each county page, but we don't copy their listings. Use the platform or county site for the property list.