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Property Records & Taxation Home Page
Tax-Forfeited Land Sales Home Page
FAQs
Important Facts
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Important Facts to Know Before Purchasing
- Public Sale
- All tax-forfeited parcels are appraised and offered for purchase
by sealed bid and sold to the highest bidder. The minimum bid
accepted is the appraised value.
- Counter Sales
- Parcels not sold may be purchased by anyone
offering to pay the appraised value. Prices cannot be changed
unless a parcel is re-appraised, advertised and again offered at
a public sale.
- Assurance Fee
- When a parcel of tax forfeited land
is sold. The Property Records and Taxation Division collects an
amount equal to three percent of the total sale value of the
land, which is in addition to the price of the land.
- Terms
- Terms may vary. In general, cash or check will be accepted for
payment according to the following terms: Sale amounts of $500
or less shall be paid in cash at the time of the sale and all
other sales amounts may be paid in cash or paid on an
installment basis according to the terms provided herein. On
sales amounts over $500 but not over $2,000, a down payment of
$500 shall be paid at the time of the sale and the unpaid
balance shall be paid in three equal annual installments. For
sales amounts in excess of $2,000, but not over $40,000, a down
payment of one-fourth of the sales prices shall be paid at the
time of the sale and the unpaid balance shall be paid in three
equal annual installments. On sales amounts in excess of
$40,000, a down payment of one-fifth of the sales prices shall
be paid at the time of sale, and the unpaid balance shall be
paid in four equal annual installments. For all sales, the
annual installments of the unpaid balance shall be paid prior to
October 31 each year. The unpaid balance on all sales shall
accrue interest at the rate prescribed by State Statute Section
279.03, subd.1A and is subject to change each year on the unpaid
balance; that no principal installment payment shall be less
than the amount of the original down payment unless it is a
final payment on the contract and each installment payment shall
include the amount of accrued interest to date.
- Conditions
- Sales are subject to existing leases, if any,
building restrictions appearing on record at the time of
forfeiture, easements, all applicable laws and ordinances, and
with the understanding that the appraised value does not
represent a basis for future taxes. All property is sold "as is"
and may not conform to local building and zoning ordinances. The
County makes no warranty that the land is "buildable." All sales
are final, and no refunds or exchanges are permitted. If
municipal special assessments were cancelled at forfeiture, the
assessments may be reassessed by the municipality. Local
improvements not yet assessed and special assessments levied
after forfeiture must be assumed by the purchaser.
- Title
- The purchaser will receive a certificate of sale at the time of
purchase. The State Commissioner of Revenue will issue a deed
from the State of Minnesota after full payment is made. This
conveyance shall have the force and effect of a patent from the
State. However, services of an attorney may be necessary to make
the title marketable.
- Unplatted Parcel Deeds
- Unplatted Parcel
Deeds for unplatted parcels will contain a restrictive covenant,
which will prohibit enrollment of the land in a state-funded
program providing compensation for conservation of marginal land
or wetlands.
page last updated -
03/26/2010
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