Frequently Asked Questions

Former owners or other interested parties can repurchase tax-forfeited land before the initial public auction, which occurs within six months of the later date -- the date of forfeiture, or the date the property was vacated.

Each year newly tax-forfeited property is offered for sale to the highest bidder at an initial public auction within six months of the later of the date of forfeiture, or the date the property was vacated.  

How it works:

All newly forfeited property is offered for sale, except for tax-forfeited land repurchased by the former owner or other interested party, or property withheld from sale by the Department of Natural Resources through the condemnation process. The initial public auction is a two-part sale.  

1. The property is first offered for sale with the most recent estimated market value as the starting bid. 
2. If the property remains unsold after 30 days, the starting bid is reduced to the amount of delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs.

Auction Notifications:

Notice of the public sale is published on this page in the “Current Sales” section at least 30 days prior to the sale.  There is an option at the bottom of this page to Subscribe to receive notices of future public tax-forfeited land sales.  Notice of the public sale is also published in the designated county newspaper.

Tax-forfeited land that did not sell at the initial public sale following the tax forfeiture becomes part of the inventory of tax-forfeited land managed by the county.   The property is classified and subject to review and approval by the municipality.  

A municipality or other governmental subdivision may acquire tax-forfeited land free of charge for an authorized public use. They may also purchase tax-forfeited land for an authorized public purpose or may acquire tax-forfeited land for less than market value to correct blight or implement affordable housing.

A tax-forfeited property may be conveyed to a local governmental subdivision or to the association of a common interest community if they were entitled to the property under a written agreement, but the conveyance failed to occur prior to forfeiture.

If a property remains unsold after the initial public auction, it is added to the county's inventory of tax-forfeited land. The property is classified and reviewed by the municipality.  Any property not withheld or acquired by the municipality or other governmental subdivision, and not subject to private sale provisions, may be appraised or reappraised and offered at an inventory public auction from time to time.   

Auction Format:

• Traditional one-part auction (not a two-part sale like the initial public auction)
• The minimum bid is the appraised value plus special assessments levied after forfeiture
• Property that does not sell at an inventory public auction sale may be available over the counter for the minimum bid on a first-come first-served basis. 
• The minimum bid cannot be reduced unless it is first reappraised, republished, and reoffered at a new public auction.

Notice of inventory public auction sales is published on this page in the “Current Sales” section at least 30 days prior to the sale.  There is an option at the bottom of this page to Subscribe to receive notices of future public tax-forfeited land sales.  Notice of public sales is also published in the designated county newspaper.

Certain tax-forfeited property, such as small slivers of land or unbuildable lots, may be sold privately to the adjoining landowner(s) if the property meets certain requirements or conditions:

1. The parcel cannot be improved because it does not comply with local zoning ordinances (e.g., minimum lot size, shape, frontage, or access). This means the owner would not be allowed to construct buildings on the parcel.
2. The private sale will encourage the city or township to approve the sale and allow it to be returned to the tax rolls.
3. The highest and best use of the land can be achieved by adding it to an adjoining parcel.

Private sales are typically sold by sealed bid to the highest bidder.  Only adjoining owners are allowed to bid.

Property that does not sell at a private sale may be available over the counter for the minimum bid to the owner of an adjoining parcel.  The minimum bid cannot be reduced until it is first reappraised, republished, and reoffered to all adjoining owners at a new sale.

Tax-forfeited land inventory is reviewed periodically to identify parcels meeting private sale criteria.  Contact us to request a private sale if a parcel of tax-forfeited land meeting these criteria is adjacent to your property.