Are Maryland tax sales a good opportunity?

Maryland sells tax lien certificates under Md. Code Ann., Tax-Property Article, Title 14, Subtitle 8 (esp. §§ 14-817, 14-820, 14-828, 14-833). Whether a specific sale is a good opportunity depends on the parcels listed, the competition at that county's sale, and your max number — which is why investors research the list, not the headline.

Maryland Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know This Season

Q: How do I get notified about Maryland tax sales?

Counties publish sale lists on their own schedules — Annual sale in each of the 23 counties and Baltimore City, mostly in May–June (2026 State schedule runs March–August, with Baltimore County in late August) LienToDeed watches those publications and alerts members when new Maryland properties are listed.

Blog / State spotlights

Maryland tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerMaryland sells tax lien certificates for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn County-set redemption rate: 6% per year statutory default (Md. Code, Tax-Property § 14-820), with counties fixing higher rates by local law — e.g. 20% in Montgomery and Prince George's counties and 18% in Baltimore City; for owner-occupied residential property the rate may not exceed 10% per year (§ 14-820(c)). Redemption: Owner may redeem until a court forecloses the right of redemption; the certificate holder may file to foreclose after 6 months from the sale (9 months for owner-occupied property) and the certificate is void if foreclosure is not filed within 2 years (§§ 14-820, 14-833) Sales: Annual sale in each of the 23 counties and Baltimore City, mostly in May–June (2026 State schedule runs March–August, with Baltimore County in late August) Governing law: Md. Code Ann., Tax-Property Article, Title 14, Subtitle 8 (esp. §§ 14-817, 14-820, 14-828, 14-833).

What's actually for sale

Maryland sells tax lien certificates. Bidding is high-bid premium on price, not bid-down on rate — the rate is fixed by the county, and a high-bid premium is charged on bids above 40% of full cash value, with no interest earned on the premium portion. Older directories quoting up to 24% (e.g. for Baltimore City / Prince George's) conflict with the current § 14-820 text and the 2025 owner-occupied 10% cap and were not used for the headline rate.

The rate that decides your return

County-set redemption rate: 6% per year statutory default (Md. Code, Tax-Property § 14-820), with counties fixing higher rates by local law — e.g. 20% in Montgomery and Prince George's counties and 18% in Baltimore City; for owner-occupied residential property the rate may not exceed 10% per year (§ 14-820(c))

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Annual sale in each of the 23 counties and Baltimore City, mostly in May–June (2026 State schedule runs March–August, with Baltimore County in late August)

Redemption: Owner may redeem until a court forecloses the right of redemption; the certificate holder may file to foreclose after 6 months from the sale (9 months for owner-occupied property) and the certificate is void if foreclosure is not filed within 2 years (§§ 14-820, 14-833)

Where the sales happen

RealAuction / county MarylandTaxSale portals (e.g. Carroll, Cecil and Prince George's counties), Bid4Assets (some counties), BidBaltimore (Baltimore City's own online sale). 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.

Watch Maryland lists for me

LienToDeed scans the published lists and texts you when new Maryland properties post — scored, with a max bid or max rate.

Get Maryland alerts

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