Last Updated on August 29, 2026
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Author: Jessa May Bautista
Reviewed by: Josh Blanchard
Fact Checked by: Jack Aldous
Buy a dirt-cheap house in Georgia. Government properties are going up for sale every month for amazing deals. If you know how to find them, you can make great money with Cheap properties.
You see those TV shows or YouTube videos where someone says, “I got this house for $5,000,” and you think, That can’t be real! But it is real, and we’re going to break down exactly how you can do it too.
This guide walks you through tax deed auctions in Georgia, where you can find houses with opening bids as low as $1,295, sometimes even lower. Whether you’re looking to flip houses, rent them out, or build long-term wealth, tax deed investing is an excellent way to get into real estate without needing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Table of contents
What Is a Tax Deed?
A tax deed is a county legal document that gives the county title to a property when real estate taxes stay unpaid long enough. After that, the county sells the property to recover the unpaid taxes.
What is a Redeemable Tax Deed?
A redeemable tax deed lets an investor buy a tax-delinquent property at auction, but the original owner has a set time period to pay it back (plus a penalty fee) and keep their property. If they don’t pay in time, the investor becomes the full owner.
Key Takeaways
- You can buy cheap houses in Georgia through tax deed auctions, often with opening bids as low as $1,295.
- Tax deed auctions occur when properties are sold due to unpaid taxes, with the potential to buy below market value.
- Georgia’s one-year redemption period allows the original owner to reclaim the property, providing a chance for interest on your investment.
- Research properties, attend auctions, and consider negotiating pre-auction deals for better prices and less competition.
- Georgia offers numerous monthly tax auctions across its 159 counties, making it a prime location for tax deed investing.
What Are Tax Deed Auctions?
A tax deed auction is when the county sells a property because the owner hasn’t paid their property taxes. At these auctions, you can buy properties for a fraction of their market value. If no one bids, you could potentially win a property for just the minimum bid, which is often only the unpaid taxes.
Georgia is a tax deed state with a one-year redemption period. That means:
- If the original owner wants to get their house back, they must pay you the full amount you paid plus 20% interest within a year.
- If they don’t redeem, the property is yours after the redemption period ends.
Finding Cheap Properties at Georgia Tax Sales
We found some incredible deals in Georgia’s upcoming tax sales. For example:
- 3526 Finesse Dr, GA – Opening bid: $1,295 | Market value: $242,000
- 2767 Rollingwood Ln, GA – Opening bid: $1,861 | Market value: $198,000
- Don Ct, GA – Opening bid: $932 | Market value: $193,000
Over 328 properties are coming up for auction, with houses, land, and even apartment units up for grabs.
How to Bid at a Georgia Tax Deed Auction?
To participate in a Georgia tax deed auction, follow these steps:
- Find the sale
Search “[Your County] GA tax sale” on Google or check the county’s tax commissioner or sheriff’s website.
- Get the list
Download the list of properties and check the opening bids, property addresses, and tax amounts owed.
- Do your research
Look up the property on sites like PropStream or the county tax assessor’s website.
- Attend the auction
Georgia tax sales are held in person and online (depending on the county). Auctions usually happen on the first Tuesday of each month.
- Bid and buy
If you win, you must pay for the property immediately; usually on the same day.
Pro Tip: If the property is occupied, be respectful and offer “cash for keys” to help the owner relocate smoothly.
Why Georgia Is a Great State for Tax Deed Investing
- Georgia has 159 counties, meaning tax auctions happen every month across the state.
- If the original owner redeems, you get 20% interest on your investment, making it a great return.
- Smaller counties often have less competition, increasing your chances of getting a good deal.
- No mortgage or financing headaches; you buy directly from the county with cash.
Some of the best counties to look for deals in Georgia include:
- Wilcox County – Average home price: $65,000
- Wheeler County – Average home price: $62,000
- Clinch County – Average home price: $68,000
- Stewart County – Average home price: $58,000
- Johnson County – Average home price: $70,000
Advanced Strategy: Pre-Auction Deals
Instead of waiting for the auction, you can contact the owner beforehand and offer to buy their property before the sale. This is called a pre-auction deal.
Why do this?
- You get the property before the competition.
- You can negotiate a better price.
- You avoid bidding wars.
How to do it:
- Find properties with multiple unpaid tax liens (higher chance of owner wanting to sell).
- Skip trace the owner (use sites like WhitePages or PropStream).
- Make them an offer to buy the house at a discount.
- Sign a contract and either buy the property or wholesale it to another investor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not doing your research – Some properties might have hidden issues like code violations.
- Not securing the property – Get vacant property insurance immediately after winning the bid.
- Forgetting the redemption period – In Georgia, you don’t get full ownership until after one year.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a public sale of property with unpaid taxes.
Many counties hold tax sales on the first Tuesday of the month.
The former owner usually has 12 months to redeem the property.
They must repay your purchase amount plus the required penalty.
No. You must wait through the redemption period and complete the legal title process.
Want to Join Us at a Live Auction?
If you want help bidding on properties, researching deals, and learning in real-time, join us for:
- Live in-person auctions
- Online tax deed auctions from anywhere
Book a free call to learn more. Click Here.
Don’t just watch others make money in real estate; take action today!
