Last Updated on August 22, 2026
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Author: Jessa May Bautista
Reviewed by: Josh Blanchard
Fact Checked by: Jack Aldous
Navigating Florida’s tax lien and deed auctions can be a daunting task, especially given the high levels of competition, particularly in populous areas like Miami-Dade. However, with the right strategies, investors can still uncover lucrative opportunities even in the midst of fierce bidding wars. This guide explores effective approaches for handling high competition, from expanding your search to less known counties to taking advantage of over-the-counter deals. Whether you’re new to tax lien investing or looking to refine your strategy, these insights will help you find success in Florida’s competitive auction landscape.
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.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Florida’s tax lien and deed auctions are competitive due to high bidding, especially in populous counties like Miami-Dade.
- Investors can succeed by expanding searches to less-known counties with fewer bidders.
- Exploring over-the-counter deals helps investors purchase unsold liens or deeds without competition.
- Setting a strict bidding limit and researching property values can protect profits during auctions.
- Attending multiple auctions increases the chances of finding profitable tax lien and deed properties.
How to Handle High Competition at Tax‑Lien & Deed Auctions
Florida’s tax liens and deed auctions can be crowded, but investors can still find profitable deals. This article summarises the insights shared by Coach Josh in Tax Lien TV Episode 30 and explains how to adapt your strategy when faced with heavy competition.
Why are Florida tax auctions so competitive?
Florida uses a system where the interest rates for tax-lien certificates go down during auctions. There are many tax-deed auctions, especially in busy places like Miami-Dade and Orange County. A lot of investors there bid really high, which makes the returns lower. Coach Josh went to one of these auctions in Florida, where the bidding got pretty wild. At first, he thought about giving up because it was so chaotic. But in the end, he figured out a new plan that worked better for what he wanted to achieve
Strategies to succeed despite high competition
Strategies to Succeed
- Expand your search to less‑known counties
Smaller counties usually have fewer people bidding at auctions. You can look at free county directories to find these auctions. They will help you see where there are not many bidders. This could give you a better chance to win!
- Explore over‑the‑counter (OTC) deals
When an auction ends, some liens and deeds don’t sell. You can buy these unsold items directly from the county. You don’t have to bid against anyone, and you get a fixed interest rate
- Set a strict bidding limit
Before you go to an auction, think about your highest bid or the most you want to pay. Once you decide, stick to it. If you get caught up in the excitement, you might end up paying more than you planned. This is especially true when there’s a lot of competition. Keeping calm and sticking to your plan can help you keep your profits safe
- Research redemption periods and property values
In Florida, if you own a property, you have two years to pay back any debts before losing it. Knowing how long you have gives you a way to pick the right liens. It’s important to find a good mix of risk and reward when choosing.
- Attend multiple auctions
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If you only count on one sale, you might miss out. Try to spread your sales across different counties and on different dates. This way, you have a better chance of making a deal. It’s like fishing in many spots instead of just one. The more places you try, the more likely you are to catch something
Frequently asked questions
Dustin Hahn offers a free “ABC’s of Tax Lien & Deed Investing” guide and a webinar that explains how tax liens work and how to research county sales
Property owners usually have two years to pay off their lien. This means they need to pay the money they owe plus any interest. It’s important to know how long this period lasts. It will help you understand when you can start making money or take over the property
It’s usually smarter to attend multiple auctions in different counties. This spreads your opportunities and increases your chances of finding deals that fit your investment strategy.
Ready to jump into your first Tax Deed property at a huge discount? Let’s make it happen fast! Book a call with us today. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know. Just click here to get started, and we’ll chat soon
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