FAQ

When and where are the catalogs available?  How much are they?  Do I have to pick it up or can it be sent to me?  Are catalogs available online?

 For most counties, catalogs are available at the Treasurer's Office about 30 days prior to the sale date.  It is at the Treasurer's option as to whether they will mail a catalog.  Catalogs are also available on this website.

 

Where is the auction?

 The auction locations are duly noted on the front page of the catalog.

 

AUCTION - What is the bidding process?

 Verbal Auctions:

All verbal auctions have a minimum bid for each and every item.  The bidding increments vary and are set by the interest in each property.  In no case are they less than $50 per bid.

Sealed Bid Auctions:

            All sealed bid auctions state a minimum in the catalog and your bid must be equal to or greater than the minimum.  You only have one chance to bid so we suggest the bid be the maximum amount you wish to invest in the property.

 

 

SEALED BID - What is a sealed bid?

A sealed bid is a method used to auction property wherein all buyers have only ONE opportunity to bid on an item.

 

What happens to the parcels that do not sell?

The counties maintain the parcels in their inventory and are offered at the next regularly scheduled sale.  In some counties, the parcels are available for purchase after the auction for a short period of time.  You will need to contact our office for specifics.

 

How do you pay for the property?  Do you pay the night of the sale?  If so, when is the balance due?  What other fees are involved?

            Verbal Auctions:  On the day of the verbal auction the minimum down payment is required with the balance due in 60 days.  Payment can be made by personal check, cash, certified funds or bank card.  If paying by personal check, proper identification is required.  If you use a bank card, a 3% convenience fee will be added to the total due. 

 

            Sealed Bid Auctions:  Payment in full is required when submitting your bid.  Payment must be made by certified funds or personal check.

 

 

What do I need to do after I purchase the property?

 After the purchase is paid in full, we will have the property transferred into the name on the contract.  No further action to close on the property is required of the purchaser.

 

Where is this property located?

In our catalogs, we endeavor to provide a tax or plat map with the exact location of the parcel.  If a street address has been assigned we will include that information as well.

 

What is the minimum bid?   Is that what taxes are due?

 The minimum bid is established by the individual counties.  The minimums are intended to recover the costs of the legal requirements for the acquisition of the property.  The minimum is not set to recover the taxes, but to place the properties into the hands of someone who will maintain the property and keep the taxes paid.

 

SEALED BID - How do I get a bid form?  Where do I turn sealed bids into?

Sealed bid purchase contracts or bid forms are contained in the catalog, can be picked up at the Treasurers office or downloaded from our web site.

 

AUCTION - Can I bid (purchase) before the auction?

No.  All property sold must go through the auction process.

 

 Are there any liens on the property after it is purchased?

We do not guarantee or warrant that there are no liens against the property.  It is up to the purchaser to order and pay for any title commitment on the property to check for liens. 

Do I have to pay the back taxes?

There will be no back real estate taxes against the property.  The property is sold subject to the next calendars year taxes due and payable the following year.

 

Why are you selling this property?

The property is being sold to place the property back on the tax rolls and into the hands of someone who will maintain the property and keep the taxes paid.

 

What is the difference between a sealed bid and a verbal (live) auction?

The difference between a sealed bid and a verbal (live) auction is that in a live auction you will have an opportunity to bid as often and as much as necessary to acquire the property.  In a sealed bid you only have one opportunity to be the high bidder.

 

When will I know the results of the sealed bid auction?

The Treasurer's office will express mail the sealed bids to our office immediately following the close of the sale.  Upon our receipt of the bids, we will open, reconcile and notify all bidders by mail.  Successful bidders contracts will be signed, their payment deposited and a copy of the contract returned to them.  Second highest bidders payment will be returned by mail.

 

Why aren't mobile homes sold in all counties?

Not all counties have undertaken the Trustee program to collect mobile home taxes.

 

When will I receive the deed?

Deeds are sent directly from the Recorders Office approximately 90 days of receipt of full payment.

 

Do I have to have a title search done on the property?  Do I have the title search done before or after I win the bid?

The titles are not warranted and would be of no value if you were not the high bidder.  We suggest that if you are the successful bidder, that you contact a title company located in the county in which the property lies, and ask them to run a title commitment on the property to check the status of the title.

 

 

What if the property is occupied?

It will be the purchaser's responsibility to work out an arrangement with the occupant for vacating the premises or other conditions for continued occupancy.  We recommend that you seek legal advice prior to undertaking this procedure.

 

When will I be responsible for the taxes?  When do I need to start paying the taxes?

The property is sold subject to the next calendars years taxes due and payable the following year.