So you bought land at an auction.
Maybe online. Maybe through the county. Maybe it was dirt cheap.
Now you’re holding the deed, a lot of questions, and wondering:
“Did I get a deal… or a headache?”
You’re not alone. I get messages from auction land buyers all the time—some excited, some panicked, most confused. This guide is your next move checklist.
Not all land auctions are created equal. The type of auction tells you a lot about what you’re dealing with.
You didn’t buy the land—you bought someone’s unpaid taxes.
If they don’t repay you in time, you might get the land later (through foreclosure).
🔁 Still waiting period involved—usually 3–5 years.
You own the land now—but the title may be clouded.
That means you probably can’t get title insurance without a legal cleanup (quiet title suit).
📜 Check your deed. Does it say “Treasurer’s Deed”? If so, title work is a must.
You bought land the county, state, or government no longer wanted.
Could be clean—or could come with access or zoning challenges.
It’s not about doing one big thing—it’s about layering small but critical checks.
Here’s what you’re typically looking at:
Go to the County Recorder’s site and pull the last recorded deed.
Check:
Your name listed as owner
Legal description and parcel match
Type of deed (Treasurer’s Deed, Quitclaim, etc.)
📌 Some counties take 2–4 weeks post-auction to record ownership.
Does the land touch a public road?
If not, is there a recorded easement?
Use:
County GIS/Parcel Viewer
Recorder’s office (search for easements)
Ask planning/zoning: “Is this a legal access lot?”
🧠 Landlocked = trouble reselling or building.
Now that you own it—what can you actually do with it?
Check:
Zoning district (RU, SR, AR, etc.)
Minimum lot size
Allowable uses: RVs, mobile homes, camping, building, etc.
Call the county or search their zoning maps to confirm.
Just because the land went through auction doesn’t mean it’s clean.
There might be:
IRS or judgment liens
HOA or utility debts
Deed restrictions or building limits
Ask:
County Treasurer: any leftover taxes?
Recorder: any active liens?
Title company: is this insurable?
💡 Consider a quiet title action if the title is clouded.
Auction parcels are often cheap because they’re:
In a flood zone
Not suitable for septic
Far from power or water
Check:
USDA Soil Survey or ask the county for septic history
Contact power/water providers with the parcel number
Once you’ve run the checks, you’ve got options:
Hold as a long-term investment
Build (if it’s permitted and feasible)
Resell to someone with a better fit
Donate or swap if it’s not usable
Just don’t assume it’s worthless—many auction buyers cash out with smart positioning.
I’ve worked with dozens of landowners who came out of tax deed auctions asking, “What did I just buy?”
Through the Land Clarity Blueprint™, I’ll help you:
Confirm what you actually own
Spot red flags (access, zoning, title issues)
Understand resale or build options
Save time navigating the county maze
⚠️ Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer, but I dig into public records and planning tools to give you answers in plain English—no sugarcoating, no guessing.
Buying land at auction is bold—and sometimes brilliant.
But if you don’t follow up with due diligence, it’s easy to feel stuck or misled.
The good news?
You’re not stuck. You just need answers.
And I’m here to help you find them—step by step.
