Delinquent Taxes

• All property owners pay property taxes to their county. These taxes fund emergency services, road maintenance and schools. When taxes are not paid on time they are delinquent, or past due. In Washington state, if any one year of property taxes becomes at least three years delinquent, the county can auction the property to the highest bidder. Note that it is not three years' combined taxes that must be overdue in Washington State, just any property taxes that are three years past due. This means that the current year may be paid in full and on time, but if previous years are still unpaid, the property may be auctioned.
  
  

Redemption Periods

• When a state sells tax liens there is a period of time known as the redemption period. This time ranges from a few months to a few years, depending upon state laws, and the property owner may pay back the lien in full to retain ownership of the property. Since Washington State sells the deed to the property itself, however, there is not normally a redemption period. If the property was owned by a minor child at the time of the tax auction, however, or if the property owner was deemed legally incompetent, then there is a three-year redemption period for the properties sold at the tax auction.
  
  

As Is Sales

• All properties sold at public tax auctions in Washington State are sold on an "as is" basis. There are no refunds of any kind. Investors are strongly cautioned to visit and review each property in person to determine the condition and worthiness. Investors should fully investigate any local ordinances, covenants, conditions and restrictions, private or public easements, wetland or greenbelt status, zoning and other ordinances that impact the use and saleability of the property before the date of the auction.
  
  

Public Auctions

• Open public auctions are held at specified dates, times and locations. Auctions are open to all bidders and there is no bidder registration required. The auctions are held in open, vocal format and the highest bidder for each property wins. Bidders must make immediate payment in full as soon as they have won a property, and payments are only accepted in the form of cash, cashier's check, certified check or money order.