Milwaukee County

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.

tax title (municipal foreclosure)

Wis. Stat. 75.521

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.

1%/mo interest; up to 0.5%/mo penalty by county ordinance

Wis. Stat. 74.47

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.

2 years from issuance of tax certificate

Wis. Stat. 74.57

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.

varies by county (open or closed bid for county tax-deeded lands)

Wis. Stat. 75.35

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.

September (county tax certificate issuance)

Wis. Stat. 74.57

Auction platforms

• Bid4Assets · auction site

Parcels in this county

No parcels listed yet.

1. 1.Confirm the county holds a tax deed: after the redemption period runs, the county enforces the delinquent taxes by tax deed (or by foreclosure of the certificate) and the liens merge in the county's title (Wis. Stat. 75.19, 75.36(2)(a))
2. 2.Find the county's advertised sale: the sale and the appraised value must be advertised on the county website plus a class 1 notice or an MLS listing, generally no later than 240 days after acquisition (180 days beginning in 2026) (Wis. Stat. 75.69(1))
3. 3.Submit a bid the way the county's ordinance provides: the county board may sell by open or closed bid, by broker, and on terms it sets by ordinance or resolution (Wis. Stat. 75.35(2)(am), (2)(d))
4. 4.Where the county advertises under the class 3 notice route, file a written bid at the place and by the date stated in the notice for real estate delinquent at least four years (Wis. Stat. 75.69(1m)(b))
5. 5.Clear the price floor: at the first attempt every bid under the appraised value is rejected, and below-value or below-highest-bid acceptances need board approval or a written explanation (Wis. Stat. 75.69(1))
6. 6.Close with the county: the county clerk executes the deed or land contract, and the county treasurer distributes the net proceeds, including any share owed to the former owner (Wis. Stat. 75.35(2)(c), 75.36(3))

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.

Residency required: UnknownNo delinquent taxes: Unknown

Not yet researched; every value is unknown.