Florida Tax Deed Sale Guide

05/11/2026
Nancy Cope

"I Just Got a Tax Deed Sale Notice—What Happens Now?"

You are not alone. Thousands of Florida homeowners receive these notices every year. The important thing is to act fast and understand your options.
What Is a Tax Deed Sale? A tax deed sale is a public auction where your property is sold to pay off delinquent property taxes. It's not a foreclosure by your bank—it's a foreclosure by the county because you didn't pay taxes. The process is governed by Chapter 197, Florida Statutes
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The Timeline (What to Expect)
Month 0: Taxes become delinquent (April 1)
Month 2: Tax certificate sale (June 1) — An investor buys a lien against your property
Months 2-26: Redemption period — You can pay off the certificate holder anytime, but interest accrues at up to 18%
Month 26+: Tax deed application filed — The certificate holder applies to force a sale. You receive formal notice.
Months 26-30: Notice & advertising period — The Clerk notifies you, posts notice, and advertises the sale for four weeks
Month 30+: The auction — Your property sells to the highest bidder

Your Rights During This Process
  • You can redeem (pay off) the tax certificate anytime before the tax deed is issued
  • You can sell your property anytime before the auction
  • You can challenge the sale in court within 4 years if proper notice wasn't given
  • You can apply for surplus funds after the sale if the property sold for more than owed
Why Selling Before Auction Is Almost Always Better At auction, bidders can't inspect your home. They assume the worst—foundation issues, mold, bad roof, code violations. They bid accordingly: low. When you sell directly to a buyer like us, we inspect the property, see its real value, and pay accordingly. You almost always walk away with more money