Blog / State spotlights

California tax sales: the season preview

What's actually for sale

California sells tax deeds. Pure deed sale, so no lien interest rate — delinquent amounts instead accrue a 1.5%/month redemption penalty before sale. Unsold parcels may be reoffered within 90 days at a reduced minimum price (as low as $1 in some county authorizations, §§3692(e), 3698.5(c)), so reoffer/over-the-counter leftovers are a major investor channel and minimum bid can drop below taxes owed.

The rate that decides your return

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The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: County auctions vary by county, most in spring (many May-June) with reoffers within 90 days; some counties hold fall sales

Redemption: Owner may redeem until close of business on the last business day before the sale commences (Rev. & Tax. Code §3707); no post-sale redemption (right revives only if the property does not sell). Property becomes subject to the tax collector's power to sell after 5 years tax-defaulted, or 3 years for nonresidential commercial property (counties may elect 5) and for property subject to a nuisance abatement lien (§3691).

Where the sales happen

Bid4Assets (dominant, used by dozens of CA counties), GovEase (e.g. Contra Costa County), County-specific portals / Grant Street (e.g. San Diego). Lists post on the county's schedule, change as owners redeem, and registration typically closes before sale day — the investors who see the list first set the market.

Deep dives: California laws · California investing guide · California sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.