Sale typeWhat you actually buy. A lien sale gives you a claim on the property and the owner keeps it for now; a deed sale transfers the property itself. A redeemable deed transfers ownership but still gives the former owner time to pay you back. See the full glossary for more terms.
lien
A.R.S. 42-18114
Interest / penaltyWhat you earn when the owner redeems. Interest is a rate paid over time; a penalty is usually a one-time percentage of the tax or redemption amount. A rate that is bid down during the auction is still interest. See the full glossary for more terms.
16% per year simple
A.R.S. 42-18053
RedemptionHow long the former owner has to repay the debt and keep the property after the sale. Your money stays tied up until this window closes, so a long period can mean a multi-year wait on a lien. See the full glossary for more terms.
3 years
A.R.S. 42-18152
Bid methodHow the winner is chosen: bidding the interest rate down, bidding a premium above the amount owed, a random or rotating draw, or simply buying at the minimum bid. See the full glossary for more terms.
bid down to lowest rate of interest (not to exceed 16%)
A.R.S. 42-18114
Sale timingWhen sales are typically held. Many counties publish sale lists only a few weeks ahead, and some sell continuously or on their own schedule. See the full glossary for more terms.
In personWhether the sale is online, in person, by sealed bid, or a mix. The format decides how you register and whether you can react to other bids. See the full glossary for more terms.
1.The county treasurer holds the tax lien sale in February and continues it from day to day, Sundays and holidays excluded, until each parcel has been offered and no more bids are made (42-18112)
2.The lien is sold to the person who pays the whole amount of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, and charges due and who also offers to accept the lowest rate of interest on the amount paid to redeem the property (42-18114)
3.The purchaser pays the purchase price in cash within fifteen days after the close of the sale (42-18116(A))
4.The purchaser pays a processing fee of not more than $10 per tax lien (42-18116(C))
5.A purchaser who fails to pay may be resold, pursued by civil action, or barred from purchasing liens in any Arizona county for up to one year (42-18116(B))
RegistrationSigning up as a bidder before the sale. Counties set the deadlines and paperwork, which may include an application, identification, and a no-delinquent-taxes statement. See the full glossary for more terms.
Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
DepositMoney you must post before or at the sale, often a flat amount or a percentage of your bid. It is usually applied to the purchase price if you win and is often non-refundable if you fail to pay. See the full glossary for more terms.
Required: UnknownUnknown
Not verified from a source yet.
FormsPaperwork a county may collect before you can bid, such as a bidder ID card or a W-9 for tax reporting. See the full glossary for more terms.
Bidder ID card: UnknownW-9: Unknown
EligibilityRules about who may bid. Some counties restrict non-residents or bar anyone who owes delinquent taxes from participating. See the full glossary for more terms.
PaymentHow and when you must pay after winning. Certified or cleared funds are common and personal checks usually are not; missing the deadline typically forfeits your deposit. See the full glossary for more terms.