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Free tax-sale research guides

Know what to check before you bid.

Learn what to ask about auctions, local rules and research risks.

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Your research starts here.

  • Confirm the sale type
  • Read the county rules
  • Review public records
  • Document unanswered questions
Illustrative image — not a specific county courthouse.
  • Official sources first
  • Plain-English guides
  • Free research tools

Independent publication. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Florida guide preview

Draft guides — official links and rules are not yet verified.

Start with the county. Not the hype.

Each county's tax-sale process is different. These draft research outlines identify questions to ask; official links and local rules are still awaiting verification.

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Duval County

Draft

Draft research outline for Duval County. Local rules and official links have not yet been verified.

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Hillsborough County

Draft

Draft research outline for Hillsborough County. Procedures and official resources await verification.

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Orange County

Draft

Draft research outline for Orange County. Rules, records links and county resources await verification.

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Free printable

Before you bid, build your research file.

A practical, printable checklist to help you stay organized and track what to verify before a tax sale. No sign-up.

  • Auction terms and deadlines

    Know what to confirm for this county.

  • Parcel and ownership records

    Find and review the right documents.

  • Costs, fees and unknowns

    Identify what's clear — and what isn't.

Open the Free Checklist

Learn the basics

What the Auction Listing Doesn't Tell You

Draft educational articles awaiting editorial and source review. Do not rely on them for sale decisions.

Free tools

Put the assumptions on paper.

Think through costs, fees, time and uncertainty with your own numbers.

Cost & Return Calculator

Account for fees, time and losses.

Open the Calculator