Tax Sale

Location

The tax sale is held at the Houston County Commission Chambers located on the third floor at 462 North Oates st. The sale begins May 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. and continues until all properties have been sold.

Required Registration

Registration is required prior to the commencement of sale with a $100 cash security deposit which can be applied to the first winning bid or refunded if there are no successful bids. No one will be able to receive the $100 deposit, if they did not purchase any property, without a receipt. A check for the registration fee will be mailed to the bidder within a few weeks. The Tax Sale registration form clearly states that you print "Full name or Business name exactly as it appears on the Tax Sale Certificate and Tax Sale Deed". No one will be allowed to change the name on the Tax Sale registration form or change the name in the system to add or take a name off of the certificate once the form has been turned in to our office. Registration begins the week immediately preceding the sale, ending Thursday before Tax Sale, no exceptions.

Bidding Process

Anyone wishing to purchase tax property must appear in person. Public auction bidding will start at the amount advertised in the Dothan Eagle. There will be a link published on our website in April to view the properties that were advertised. 

Bidders should know if they are not sure of the location or property they are bidding on, they should reconsider bidding on it. Any bids won must be paid regardless of how many there are (ALL OR NONE). If they do not pay for the property they bid on, it puts an undue burden on our office and forces us to have another sale the next day. It would be unfair to other potential purchasers.

If a Tax Sale purchaser does not pay for property they bid on and won, the bidder will not be allowed to attend the Tax Sale the following year as a probationary period. If this happens, they will only be allowed to bid again after missing that year for bidding. After the one year probationary period, they will be allowed to attend and bid again. If the action takes place again after the probationary period, the bidder will not be allowed to register for the Tax Sale for 5 years. 

Purchasing Property at Tax Sale

• Payment in full is required by 2 p.m. on the sale day.
• Payment options include: Cash, Money Order, or Certified Funds.
• Personal checks and credit cards will NOT be accepted.
• A Certificate of Land Sold for Taxes will be tendered after the sale is finalized usually within one week. These will be sent by mail.
• If a purchaser loses or misplaces a Tax Sale Certificate and needs a new one, a new one can be purchased for $40 to be paid by cash only. 

After the Tax Sale Purchase

The property can be redeemed at any time within the first 3 years from the date of the Tax Sale. The owners of said property can redeem this property through the Judge of Probate. The principal, plus interest, at the time of redemption is refunded to the purchasers of the tax lien. The current rate of interest is 8% annually. The certificate of sale is then null and void. A tax deed cannot be issued until 3 years from the date of the tax sale. At that time the purchaser must surrender his certificate to the Judge of Probate, who then issues a tax deed.

Properties Not Sold at the Tax Sale

Any properties not purchased at the Tax Sale by individuals or companies, are sold to the State of Alabama. If you are wishing to buy tax delinquent property you must contact the Alabama Department of Revenue and they will only accept certified checks for these properties. You may search for Tax Delinquent property for sale here.