Tax Sale: 942 S Lincoln St, Marengo

The minimum bid is not the price of the property. It pays the delinquent taxes and buys a certificate: the right to be repaid, or eventually to ask the court for the deed.

A certificate, not the property

The winning bid pays the delinquent taxes and costs. If the owner pays them back, you are repaid instead of getting the parcel.

Redemption period

One year after a county tax sale, 120 days after a commissioners' certificate sale. You cannot take possession while it runs.

The deed takes a court petition

Once redemption ends, the buyer must send the required notices and petition the court for a tax deed. Title search, notice and legal costs are the buyer's.

Sold unseen

Parcels sell as-is, usually with no inspection, and the occupant may still be in place.

Read the county's tax sale notice before bidding. Deposits, fees and deadlines are set per county.