Tax Auctions and Tax Sales

If a homeowner does not pay their property taxes, the past-due amount becomes a lien on the property and they then may face what is know as a "Tax Auction" or "Tax Sale". There are 2 types of Tax Sales - a "Tax Lein Sale", and a "Tax Deed Sale".

The process starts when the county files a list of delinquent taxes (including the homeowner's information, the property address, and the amount past-due) with the recorder’s office and publishes a copy in the newspaper. The homeowner will also receive a personal notice of the pending tax sale.