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County Home => Treasurer`s Office => Treasurer's Office Tax Sales
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Previous Tax Sales
Washoe County holds its real estate auction once a year in April in the Washoe County Commissioners Chambers located at 1001 East Ninth St., Reno, NV.  Once the sale date is set, additional details as well as a list of properties scheduled for auction will be published on this site.


FOR PREVIOUS REAL ESTATE TAX SALES RESULTS, click here.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PROPERTIES TO BE AUCTIONED FOR REAL ESTATE TAXES

Treasurer`s Office +
Real Property Tax Sales +
Why does a property go into the name of Trustee Washoe County Treasurer?
Per NRS 361.585 & 361.590, property which is delinquent three consecutive fiscal years is deeded into the name of Washoe County Treasurer as trustee for the state and county. Once property is placed in the name of the County Treasurer as Trustee, the property is subject to be auctioned for non-payment of taxes.
If I pay the taxes, will the property transfer to my name?
No, if you are not the owner, you must bid for the property through auction.
When are the Washoe County Treasurer Trustee auctions held?
The Treasurer's Office conducts one Real Estate Tax Auction annually, usually in April. The date, time and location of the auction will be available in February. The information is available on our website or by calling our office.
Which properties will be sold at auction?
We will have a list of properties available by the end of February each year. The property owner can pay the taxes up to the date of the sale, however once it is legally advertised, a temporary restraining order is required in order to prevent the sale and enable payment of the taxes. Therefore, the properties listed may not all go to auction. The legal advertisement of the tax sale is published once a week for four (4) consecutive weeks in the local newspaper, the Reno Gazette Journal.
How do I get information on the properties to be auctioned?
The County Assessor's Office will have maps on all properties to be sold. You may search the County Recorder's records for any recorded documentation you deem relevant. Both of these offices are located within the County Government Center located at 1001 East Ninth St., Reno, Nevada. You may also want to contact the various county or city zoning/planning departments.
Should I investigate before I bid?
It is the responsibility of prospective purchasers to conduct their own research, prior to the auction, as to the use of the property for their intended purpose, and to make a personal inspection of the property to determine if it will be suitable for the purpose for which it is being purchased. The County makes no representation or claims as to fitness for purpose, ingress/egress, conditions, covenants or restrictions. The County's sole interest is the recovery of all delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs.
Are all items cleared as a result of the auction?
Not all liens are satisfied by a tax auction. Some government liens and other encumbrances may remain.
What is the minimum bid?
The minimum bid will vary for each property to be auctioned. Opening bid is for the amount of delinquent taxes, delinquent assessments, costs, interest and penalties OR the assessed valuation, whichever is greater. The assessed value is approximately 35% of the appraised value and, in some instances, is greater than the delinquent taxes, etc.
Must I be present to bid?
Yes, you must be present to bid.
When can I register to bid?
Registration is conducted on the day of the auction at no cost. A valid driver's license or I.D. is required. All bidders must arrive and be in the registration line by 9:45 am to be eligible to register and receive their bidder number and instructions prior to the start of the auction. Prospective bidders who arrive after the 9:45 am deadline will not be registered or allowed to bid. The auction is scheduled to begin at 10:00 am. In the event bidders are still being registered, the auction will begin when all eligible bidders have been registered and are seated.

All bidders must have completed the registration process and be seated in the designated bidder seating area. In the event the bidder seating area is filled, non-bidders will be asked to sit in the observation area.
When is payment required?
A $500 non-refundable deposit is due for any successful bid and the remaining balance is due in full by 5:00 p.m. the day after the sale. We only accept cash, cashier's check, certified check and/or money orders for payment.
What type of document is issued when the sale is completed?
A quitclaim deed will be prepared using the information on the bidder registration form. The Treasurer's Office will record the deed to the property within 30 days of the auction date.
What if a property does not sell at the auction?
If a property does not sell, it will be offered at the next annual auction. Properties are not sold over the counter.
Is there a redemption period?
There is no redemption period on property acquired through the tax auction. There is a two year period in which the previous owner may protest the sale. During this period, you may not be able to obtain title insurance. You should contact a title company for more information regarding issuance of title insurance.

WARNING-THOROUGHLY RESEARCH ALL PROPERTIES BEFORE YOU INVEST.

We do not sell tax liens or certificates for delinquent real estate taxes.

A title search is recommended, as this office does not guarantee clear title.  These properties are offered for sale "AS IS, WHERE IS."  Prospective purchasers are urged to examine the title, location and desirability of the properties available to their own satisfaction prior to the sale.  The County of Washoe makes no guarantee, expressed or implied, relative to the title, location or condition of the properties for sale.  The County of Washoe makes no representation or claims as to fitness for purpose, ingress/egress, conditions, covenants, or restrictions.  All property taxes currently due will be paid from the proceeds of the sale.  The burden is on the purchaser to thoroughly research, before the sale, any matters relevant to his or her decision to purchase, rather than on the County, whose primary interest is the recovery of back taxes.

MOBILE HOME SALES

Mobile home sales are typically held in June, but can be scheduled as needed.  Sale dates and property information will be posted on this website when sales are scheduled.

Units are sold for the amount of delinquent taxes plus penalties, mailing, advertising and collection costs.  The successful bidder must provide a $100 cash non-refundable deposit at the conclusion of the sale.  The remainder of the funds are due by noon the following day in the form of certified funds.  If the remainder of the funds are not received in our office by noon on the day following the auction, the property will be offered to the next highest bidder.  If the total bid is less than $100, the total amount must be paid at the conclusion of the auction.  Units can be redeemed up until the morning of the sale date, therefore, not all units advertised will go to sale. 

COMMERCIAL PERSONAL PROPERTY SALES

Sales for delinquent commercial personal property taxes are scheduled as needed. Equipment is identified and typically sold in aggregate, with the minimum bid being the amount of delinquent taxes, plus penalties, mailing, advertising and collection costs that have accrued.

Sales are typically held at the business site, and will require a non-refundable deposit (generally 20% of the bid amount) to be made by the successful bidder at the conclusion of the sale.  The remaining funds are due by noon on the day following the sale in the form of certified funds.  If the bid is less than $200, the total amount must be paid at the conclusion of the auction.

Sales will be advertised once a week for the two weeks prior to the sale date, and all information pertinent to the sale will be included in the advertisement. Taxes can be paid up until the morning of the sale date, therefore not all items advertised will necessarily be sold.


For all Special Assessment information including sales information, click here.

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