- Does Washington sell tax liens or tax deeds?
- Tax deeds only. The certificate of delinquency that starts a Washington foreclosure is issued by the county treasurer to the county itself, not sold to investors. The county forecloses in superior court and the treasurer sells the property at public auction, so the only way in for an investor is buying the property at the foreclosure sale or from the county's tax-title inventory afterward.
- How long does a Washington property have to be delinquent before foreclosure?
- Three years from the date of delinquency. At that point the treasurer must issue a certificate of delinquency to the county for all years' taxes, interest, and costs and begin the superior court foreclosure. The owner is served notice and has thirty days to defend the action or pay the amount due, so sales typically happen in the fourth year of delinquency.
- Can the owner redeem after a Washington tax foreclosure sale?
- Generally no. Redemption is open at any time before the close of business the day before the sale, and the sale cuts it off. The exception is property owned by a minor or a person adjudicated legally incompetent, which may be redeemed within three years after the sale by paying the sale amount plus statutory-rate interest and the value of good-faith improvements, less the value of their use.
- What is the minimum bid at a Washington tax foreclosure auction?
- The judgment amount: all taxes, interest, and costs the court found due on the parcel. The treasurer sells to the highest and best bidder at or above that floor. Every bidder except the county must also pay any taxes, interest, and costs that are delinquent at the time of sale even if they were not included in the judgment, so budget for the full delinquency, not just the judgment figure.
- Are Washington tax foreclosure auctions online?
- Many are. RCW 84.64.225 lets the county treasurer run the auction by electronic media. At an online sale, bidders post a deposit before bidding, non-winning deposits are refunded within ten business days, and the winner pays by electronic funds transfer with no less than forty-eight hours to do so. Larger counties commonly run their sales on an online platform; smaller counties may still sell in person, so confirm the format on the county treasurer page.
- What happens to the surplus when a bid exceeds the taxes owed?
- The excess above the minimum bid is refunded to the record owner, meaning the person who held title when the certificate of delinquency was issued. A claim must be made within three years of the sale date; after that the surplus is deposited in the county current expense fund.
- Can you buy Washington tax property over the counter?
- Not from a standing list. Parcels that draw no sufficient bid are struck to the county in trust for the taxing districts as tax-title property. The county resells that inventory under chapter 36.35 RCW, usually at a later sale with a minimum price set by the county legislative authority, and in limited cases by direct sale without bids, including within twelve months after a failed auction. Whether anything is available depends on the county, so check its tax-title or surplus property page.
Verified Aug 16, 2026 against Washington statutes.
Tax Sale Atlas publishes educational information about public tax sale processes. This is not legal, financial, or investment advice. Rules, dates, and fees change; confirm with the county office before you bid.