Last Updated on April 25, 2026
Are you ready to hunt for bargains? Tax deed sales give investors a chance to buy real estate for the amount of unpaid taxes plus fees. Winning bidders often pay a fraction of market value and may flip or rent the property for a profit. Below are five upcoming Tax Deed Sales auctions across the United States that offer opportunities to secure houses or land at discounted prices. Each sale has its own procedures, so read carefully and perform due diligence before bidding.
Table of contents
- 1. Brevard County, Florida, Online Tax Deed Auctions
- 2. Miami‑Dade County, Florida, Electronic Tax Deed Sales
- 3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Judicial Tax Sales
- 4. Shelby County, Tennessee, Tax Sale Auctions
- 5. Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Repository Sales
- How to Prepare for a Tax Deed Sale
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Summary Table of Upcoming Sales
1. Brevard County, Florida, Online Tax Deed Auctions
Brevard County holds tax deed auctions throughout the year through the RealAuction platform. To participate, you must register online and have enough funds deposited before bidding. After holding a tax certificate for at least two years, the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed, making the properties eligible for sale. The clerk and RealAuction make no warranties about the condition or title of any property; all sales are buyer-beware.
Key requirements:
- Registration and deposit: You need an account on RealAuction with a deposit of $200 or 5% of your bid per property (whichever is greater). The deposit is non‑refundable and is applied toward the sale price.
- Payment: If you win the auction, you must pay the remaining balance by noon on the next business day. Payment methods include cash, cashier’s check, money order, credit card, or wire transfer.
- As‑is sale: All properties are sold without warranties. Buyers must actively research liens, zoning, flood zones, and the condition of the property.
Brevard skipped an auction month this spring, so its upcoming sales list is larger than usual. Keep an eye out for parcels that have low opening bids in relation to their assessed value. These often include vacant lots or small houses that you can quickly resell.. Research each parcel through the county property appraiser’s website or tools like ReGrid before bidding.
2. Miami‑Dade County, Florida, Electronic Tax Deed Sales
Miami‑Dade County conducts online tax deed auctions through RealAuction. The Clerk’s administrative order for electronic sales requires bidders to register at miamidade.realtaxdeed.com and place an advance deposit of 5 % of the expected winning bid or $200, whichever is greater. You can pay deposits using cash or a cashier’s check at the Clerk’s office. Alternatively, you can also wire the funds or use an ACH transfer; just remember to allow three business days for processing.
Highlights:
- Sale schedule: Electronic sales are held Monday through Friday at 2 p.m., as advertised in the Daily Business Review.
- Deposit & payment: A deposit equal to 5 % of your bid or $200 must be in your account before bidding. If you win, the deposit is deducted, and the balance is due within 24 hours. Failure to pay forfeits the deposit and voids the sale.
- Buyer beware: The Clerk makes no warranties about property condition, title, or liens; bidders must research liens, zoning, and outstanding taxes.
Miami‑Dade sales often feature houses and condominiums in a wide price range. Carefully review each property’s tax and lien history because some parcels may have municipal or county liens that survive the sale. Due diligence includes checking with the property appraiser, tax collector, and code enforcement departments.
3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Judicial Tax Sales
Philadelphia’s sheriff holds regular judicial tax sales to collect delinquent real estate taxes. You can buy properties online at Bid4Assets. You need to be at least 18 years old to bid. Before the auction, you must pay a $500 deposit and a $35 processing fee. Remember, all properties are sold as-is; always do your due diligence.
Important procedures:
- Opening bid: The starting bid on tax delinquent properties is $1,600.
- Payment schedule: The highest bidder must pay 10 % of the purchase price (or $600, whichever is greater) by 5 p.m. on the next business day. The remaining 90 % is due within 15 days.
- Free of liens: Under Pennsylvania law, when properties fail at the upset sale, they go to a judicial sale where buyers can purchase them free and clear of all liens and encumbrances. However, buyers must actively research any code violations or municipal charges that might not appear in the listings.
Philadelphia usually schedules three auctions each month due to a backlog of delinquent parcels. Inventory can vary widely: some sales feature only a few dozen properties while others include more than a hundred. The city wipes out municipal liens at the judicial sale, but you must do your homework because some properties may need rehabilitation. Always check condition reports and visit the neighborhood if possible.
4. Shelby County, Tennessee, Tax Sale Auctions
Shelby County (Memphis) sells tax‑delinquent properties through online auctions administered by Zeus Auction. Bidders must register on the auction site and ensure they have sufficient funds. The minimum bid includes delinquent city and county taxes, accrued interest, court costs, and attorney fees; Tennessee law adds a $100 clerical service fee to each parcel.
Key points:
- Payment: The winning bidder must pay in full within one business day of the auction’s close. You must make payments via ACH from a registered bank account or by wire transfer. There are no refunds; failure to pay may result in legal action.
- Redemption period: Previous owners or lien holders can redeem the property within specific timeframes after the sale. The redemption period depends on how long taxes have been delinquent, one year for parcels with five years or less of delinquency, 180 days for 5,7 years, and 90 days for eight years or more. Vacant or abandoned properties may have a 30‑day redemption period.
- Title transfer: After the redemption period, the court issues a Decree Confirming Sale and registers it with the county register; this conveys title to the new purchaser.
Shelby County’s auctions often include hundreds of parcels, from vacant lots to single‑family homes. Because owners can still redeem the property, bidders should account for the possibility of redemption when planning exit strategies.
5. Wayne County, Pennsylvania, Repository Sales
In Pennsylvania, when a property does not sell at the upset or judicial sale, the county places it on a Repository list. Wayne County’s Tax Claim Bureau holds public repository sales every February, May, August, and November. These auctions offer properties at the cost accrued for each parcel, with low starting bids and minimal competition.
Repository sale rules:
- Arrival and registration: Prospective bidders must arrive one hour before the sale to get a bidder number and complete registration. Pre‑registration paperwork must be mailed in advance to the Tax Claim office.
- Payment: Full payment is required on the day of sale. Wayne County accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, or personal checks with a letter of credit. The deed is recorded in the purchaser’s name within 45,60 days.
- Free of liens: The bureau actively sells properties free and clear of liens, judgments, and mortgages by properly identifying and notifying all interested parties. Buyers must pay a $25 deed preparation fee, 2 % transfer tax, and a $74.75 recording fee in addition to the bid amount.
Repository sales can offer significant bargains, but parcels may be vacant land or distressed structures. Always research zoning, access, and condition before bidding. Because the sales occur only four times a year, preparation is essential.
How to Prepare for a Tax Deed Sale
- Research the property
Use county property appraiser records, online maps, and tools like ReGrid or Propwire to check parcel size, zoning, assessed value, and any existing structures. Look for access issues, flood zones, or environmental problems. For tax lien sales, verify the interest rate and redemption terms.
- Check for liens and code violations
Government liens and judgments may survive tax deed sales. Contact the tax collector, code enforcement, and clerk’s office to identify outstanding fines or assessments.
- Register and deposit
Each auction requires registration and a deposit or full payment. Deposits range from $200 in Florida to 10 % of the bid in Alabama. Ensure funds are cleared before the sale.
- Set a maximum bid
Determine your maximum price before the auction and stick to it. Do not get caught in bidding wars; profits depend on buying at the right price.
- Plan for after the sale
Factor in recording fees, title work, insurance, and possible redemption periods. Budget for repairs or maintenance if you plan to hold or flip the property.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Not always. In Pennsylvania judicial sales, properties are sold free and clear of liens and encumbrances. However, in Florida and Tennessee, certain government liens and code enforcement fines may survive the sale. Always perform a lien search before bidding.
Redemption depends on state law. Florida and Pennsylvania do not allow redemption after the deed is issued. Tennessee allows the owner or lien holders to redeem within one year for recent delinquencies (shorter periods for long‑delinquent or vacant properties). Tax lien sales (like Alabama) allow redemption for three years or more, depending on the county.
Failure to pay the balance by the deadline results in cancellation of the sale and forfeiture of the deposit. In some states, you may be banned from future auctions or face legal action.
After a Florida tax deed sale, the clerk issues a tax deed, but it does not guarantee a clear title; you may need to quiet title before reselling. In Tennessee, the court registers a Decree Confirming Sale after the redemption period, conveying title to the purchaser. Wayne County records the deed within about 60 days.
Tax deed sales generally require immediate payment and do not offer financing. You must have the deposit or full bid amount available. Some investors use private lenders or partners to fund purchases, but the auction itself expects cash or certified funds.
Tax deed and tax lien sales can be a powerful way to acquire real estate at deep discounts. With careful research, disciplined bidding, and an eye on the rules, you could turn unpaid taxes into profitable property deals.
Summary Table of Upcoming Sales
| Location | Sale type & date (approx.) | Deposit/payment | Notable rules |
| Brevard County, FL | Online tax deed sales held monthly via RealAuction | Deposit of $200 or 5 % of bid; balance due next business day | Buyer beware; no warranties; research liens and conditions |
| Miami‑Dade County, FL | Electronic tax deed auctions on Monday and Friday (2 p.m.) | Deposit equal to 5 % of bid or $200 required before bidding; balance due within 24 hours | Clerk makes no warranties; property sold as is |
| Philadelphia, PA | Judicial tax sales via Bid4Assets; multiple sales monthly | $500 deposit plus $35 fee; 10 % of purchase price due the next day, and the remainder within 15 days | Properties sold free and clear of liens; buyer must research the property condition and code violations |
| Shelby County, TN | Online tax sale (Zeus Auction) | Full payment required within one business day via ACH or wire; minimum bid includes taxes, interest, court costs, plus a $100 clerical fee | Redemption period from 30 days to one year, depending on delinquency |
| Wayne County, PA | Repository tax deed sales quarterly (next sale May 15) | Full payment required on the day of sale (cash, money order, cashier’s check, or check with letter of credit) | Properties sold free and clear of liens; buyer pays deed prep fee, transfer tax, and recording fee |
