WA

Registry entries (prose)

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.

deed

RCW 84.64.080

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.

9%/yr residential (4 or fewer units); 12%/yr all other

RCW 84.56.020

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.

redeem at any time before day of sale; 3 years for minors/incompetents

RCW 84.64.070

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.

highest and best bidder

RCW 84.64.080

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.

varies by county (date set by county treasurer)

RCW 84.64.080

Source

https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=84.64.080

Interest RCW 84.56.020; redemption RCW 84.64.070; sale to highest bidder \as is\" per RCW 84.64.080. Official WA RCW."

Counties (39)