Owning land is great… until the property tax bill shows up and life happens.
If you’re behind on your taxes, you might be thinking:
“Eh, maybe I’ll just let it go to the tax sale and walk away.”
It seems like the easy way out. But I’ll be straight with you — letting your land go to a tax deed sale is usually the worst thing you can do.
Here’s why (and what a smarter option looks like).
First — What Actually Happens at a Tax Deed Sale?
If you stop paying your property taxes, the county doesn’t just forget about it.
After a certain period (which varies by state), they seize your land and auction it off at a tax deed sale.
Sounds simple. But here’s what’s really going on:
- The county sells your land for just enough to cover the back taxes.
- Any extra money might go to you — if you file the right paperwork at the right time (spoiler: most folks don’t). This only applies to some states, check your county rules to see if this even applies!
- If nobody buys it, the county might keep it or sell it off cheap later. Usually call an ‘Over the counter tax deed or lien’
Translation:
Your land could be worth $20,000, $50,000, $100,000 or more — and you might walk away with nothing or next to nothing.
The Real Negatives of a Tax Deed Sale
Letting your land go to the tax sale sounds like a clean slate. But the reality? It’s messy:
1. You Lose Control Over the Sale Price
At a tax deed sale, the county doesn’t care what your land’s really worth. They just want the taxes paid. Your property will sell for pennies on the dollar.
2. You Might Still Be Stuck With Some Bills
Just because the county sells your land doesn’t mean everything tied to it magically disappears. If there are other bills attached — like old utility fees, HOA dues, or leftover debt — some of that might still land in your lap. It’s one of those “wait, what?” moments that catches a lot of folks off guard.
3. It Can Leave a Mark on Your Record
Letting your land go at a tax sale can leave a little scar on your financial history. It’s not always a credit killer, but it can show up and make things harder down the road — especially if you ever want to buy another property or need to finance something big like a car or home.
4. You Get Zero Say in the Process
Once the tax sale clock starts ticking, you lose control. The county runs the show, and whatever happens… happens. Again, some states have a redemption period, even after it’s sold, some states allow you to pay the taxes due and interest (high interest rates) to the new buyer. Some states do this, others don’t, the period also varies by state.
5. It’s Emotionally Draining
We’ve talked to plenty of landowners who thought they were fine walking away — until they realized they lost out on thousands of dollars they could’ve used for retirement, medical bills, or their grandkids’ education.
There’s a Better Option: Sell Before the County Takes Over
If you’re behind on taxes, there’s still time to sell your land privately.
And here’s the kicker — land investors like us will often cover the back taxes as part of the deal.
That means:
- You get paid for your land (instead of losing it).
- The county gets their taxes.
- You avoid foreclosure on your record.
- And you avoid the stress of public auctions and red tape.
Why Selling to a Land Investor Makes Sense
- We buy land fast (often in just a few weeks, not months).
- No need for fancy surveys or appraisals.
- We pay cash or can work out terms — especially if taxes are owed.
- We handle the paperwork (no county headaches for you).
Plus, we’re flexible.
If you inherited the property, moved away, or just don’t want to deal with it anymore, we make the process simple and fair.
Bottom Line
Letting your land go to a tax deed sale might feel like the easy button…
But it usually costs you thousands and adds stress you don’t need.
If you sell before the county takes over, you can walk away with money in your pocket and your peace of mind intact.
Behind on your land taxes? Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Reach out today for a simple, no-pressure offer. We can even talk about covering those back taxes for you.
[Get Your Free Offer Here] or email us at simplyacres@gmail.com
All the best for now,
Matthew & Kathleen
