State Due-Diligence Guides

Texas sells a redeemable tax deed. The winning bidder receives a deed at the sale but the former owner keeps a statutory right of redemption for a set period, during which they can reclaim the property by paying the amount bid plus a statutory redemption premium.

Florida is a two-step state: counties first sell tax lien certificates, and a certificate holder can later force a tax deed sale. At the tax deed sale itself there is no post-sale redemption — once the sale is held and payment is made, the former owner cannot buy the property back.

Georgia sells a redeemable tax deed. The buyer receives a deed at the sale, but it does not convey clear fee title. The former owner (and other interest holders) may redeem during the first 12 months (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40), and that right continues after 12 months until the buyer forecloses it by serving the statutory barment notice. The 12-month mark is when the buyer may begin barment — it is not an automatic expiration of the right to redeem.

California sells tax-defaulted property (not tax liens). When property has been tax-defaulted long enough to become subject to the tax collector's power to sell, the county auctions it at a public tax sale. The purchaser receives a tax deed and there is no redemption after the sale is finalized.

Arizona is a tax-lien state, not a tax-deed state. Counties sell tax lien certificates (Certificates of Purchase) at auction. The investor does not receive the property at the sale — they buy the delinquent tax debt and earn interest. Ownership is only possible later, through a judicial foreclosure, if the owner never redeems.