Broward.deedauction.net - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tax deed sale?
Where can I find the address for a property in which I am interested?
What is an online tax deed sale?
How is an online tax deed sale different from a "live" tax deed sale?
What equipment or software do I need to be able to participate?
Will it cost me anything to participate?
Who do I contact if I have a question about how to use the website?
If I have questions about a specific tax deed, who do I contact?
When is the tax deed issued and how will it be sent to me?
Does a tax deed sale eliminate all other liens on a property?
How do I get started?
When does the auction start and when can I place my bids?
What is proxy bidding?
What is the "One Minute Rule"?
How do I submit my deposit?
What is an ACH debit?
What happens if I win a property?
When do bidders have to pay the amount due for their purchases?
What form of payment is required for deposits and final payment?
What happens if I fail to pay the balance within the period indicated?
What happens to my deposit if I don't win any property?
Where can I find additional tax deed FAQs?
When are the tax deed sales conducted?
Where can I get a list of tax deeds scheduled for upcoming tax deed sales?
How can I download the sale list?
Where can I find information on tax deed sales procedures?
What are the required fees?
Why is the opening bid subject to change?
Can I purchase a Lands Available property online?
Do I need to register and enter a bid if I am the tax deed applicant?
What happens if no bids are made above the opening bid?
How soon will I receive the tax deed?

What is a tax deed sale?

Property owners are required to pay property taxes on an annual basis to the County Tax Collector. If the owner does not pay his/her taxes, in June of the following year a tax certificate will be sold by the Tax Collector.

Generally, if the tax certificate has not been redeemed within two years, the holder of the certificate can apply to force a public auction of the property. This auction is referred to as a "tax deed sale" and the monies collected from the sale are used to pay off the amount owed to the certificate holder.

The Tax Collector holds tax deed sales pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 197.

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Where can I find the address for a property in which I am interested?

Clicking the plus (+) sign next to the Tax Deed # will take you to a parcel number that links to the Property Appraiser's website, displaying property address and other information. You may also click the Tax Deed #, which will take you to the Tax Collector's website to see what you can learn about the property.

Neither the auction site nor Tax Collector's office provide property information. It is your responsibility to do all the independent research regarding the property, including but not limited to, determining the property value and whether there are any liens, encumbrances or title defects.

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What is an online tax deed sale?

An online tax deed sale is an auction where bids are transmitted and received electronically through the Internet using a computer and a web browser. Florida Statute 197.542(4)(a) authorizes the Tax Collector to conduct electronic tax deed sales.

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How is an online tax deed sale different from a "live" tax deed sale?

Prior to online tax deed sales, bidders assembled at the County Commissioners' Chambers of the Governmental Center and called out their bids to an auctioneer. Winning bidders who were awarded properties paid their minimum deposits directly to the Tax Collector during the auction. Online sales allow this process to be handled electronically. Each bidder will use a personal ID and password to log on to the website and enter bids for individual properties and deposits must be submitted at least three (3) full business days prior to submitting auction bids.

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What equipment or software do I need to be able to participate?
A bidder must have internet access and a web browser with the following versions:
- Mozilla Firefox - latest version
- Google Chrome - latest version
- Microsoft Edge - latest version
The auction site will not support older browsers.

Access to the electronic online auction will be available at public computer terminals located in the Tax Collector's office, 115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
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Will it cost me anything to participate?

Registration on the website is free. However, you will need to abide by the Tax Collector's deposit rules. See FAQ #15 on how to submit a deposit.

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Who do I contact if I have a question about how to use the website?

Representatives of Grant Street Group are available via email (DeedAuction@GrantStreet.com) or via phone at (877) 274-9320 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET on business days to provide instruction and answer questions regarding use of the website.

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If I have questions about a specific tax deed, who do I contact?

Please contact the Tax Collector's office Tax Deed Section at (954) 357-5373 between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET on business days.

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When is the tax deed issued and how will it be sent to me?

Upon receipt of final payment, the Tax Collector will issue and record a tax deed to the successful bidder. The original tax deed will be mailed via first class mail, U.S. Postal Service to the successful bidder at his/her address as shown in the Tax Deed within 10 business days following the sale date. NOTE: THE PROPERTY CAN BE REDEEMED PRIOR TO TAX DEED ISSUANCE. If the property is redeemed prior to the issuance of the tax deed, the successful bidder's deposit account will be automatically replenished.

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Does a tax deed sale eliminate all other liens on a property?

Some liens may be dischargeable and others may not. Tax and property laws are complicated and bidders should thoroughly research outstanding or potential liens, mortgages, encumbrances or title defects prior to placing a bid on a property in a tax deed sale. It is best to seek legal advice of an attorney who can provide you with information about liens on a given property. Be advised that you are solely responsible for researching tax deed properties and you assume sole responsibility for making any bid at the online tax deed sale. The Tax Collector's Office does not make any representations or warranties as to the status of the title or liens on property auctioned at a tax deed sale.

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How do I get started?
- Register on the website
- Review the "Help Documentation" link in the sidebar
- Read the Tax Deed Instructions documents
- Submit the required deposit with the Tax Collector via ACH transfer through the DeedAuction site
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When does the auction start and when can I place my bids?

All bidders may begin placing bids at 9: 00 a.m. ET on the scheduled day of the sale. Refer to the auction calendar for upcoming sales. The auctions shall begin with the first parcel set to close at 11:01 a.m.

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What is proxy bidding?

Proxy bidding is a form of competitive sale in which bidders input the maximum bid they are willing to pay for a property they would like to purchase. The system will then automatically enter bids on their behalf, as necessary, up to their maximum bid.

If you enter a maximum bid that is the same as another lead bid, the first bidder to submit that amount would be deemed the leader. The trailing bidder would be notified with a message on the screen that "your bid was submitted successfully, but you trail an earlier bidder at the same price". The non leader would have to increase their maximum bid to become the leader.

All bids submitted on this site are submitted as proxy bids. The bid you enter after you click the Enter Max Bid link will be executed using the proxy bid system.

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What is the "One Minute Rule"?

If a bidder becomes a leading bidder (as displayed by "leader" in the bid status column) in the last one minute of the sale, the Auction Clock will change to reflect a new Auction Close Time and the sale will be extended one (1) minute to allow additional bidding. This will continue until that bidder remains leader for one (1) minute (at which time the auction closes and the leading bid becomes the Winning Bid). Be aware that submitting a bid higher than the "best bid" may not trigger overtime due to the automatic proxy bid. The bid you submit must make you the "leader" in order to trigger overtime. When you submit your bid you will get a message on your screen that indicates your bid has been accepted and your status is now leading or you are now trailing.

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How do I submit my deposit?

Advance deposits may be made online through the electronic auction website via ACH/Electronic Debit.

Deposits submitted via ACH/Electronic Debit must be submitted at least three (3) full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate. Funds will clear on the fourth (4th) business day, which must be on or before the scheduled sale day.

For example, to bid in a Wednesday auction, an ACH/Electronic Debit payment equal to five percent (5%) of your total anticipated final bid(s) must be completed before 4:45 p.m. ET on the preceding Thursday. The minimum required deposit is $200 which would allow you to bid a maximum of $4,000 in the auction.

A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

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What is an ACH debit?

An ACH debit is an electronic funds transfer from your bank account, initiated by the Tax Collector with your prior authorization. For more information on ACH, please visit the NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, at www.nacha.org.

Funds must be drawn from a US financial institution. Some types of money market, brokerage, and/or trust accounts cannot accept ACH debits. Please check with your financial institution prior to initiating payment on the website.

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What happens if I win a property?
Once an auction ends, the Bidding Summary shows the details of the auction and what you need to do to complete the sale. The Bidding Summary checklist includes:
1. Entering the names that you wish the deed to the property be issued
2. Submitting your final payment
  - Final payment deadline - see FAQ #18
  - Final payment form - see FAQ #19
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When do bidders have to pay the amount due for their purchases?

The difference between the successful bidder's deposit and the total amount due must be received by the Tax Collector by 11:00am ET the business day following the sale. If payment is made by certified check, a separate check must be received for each property purchased. The Tax Collector cannot accept final payment for multiple properties on one check.

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What form of payment is required for deposits and final payment?
Deposits:

Advance deposits are made online through the electronic auction website via ACH/Electronic Debit transfer. Deposits made by ACH/Electronic Debit transfer will not be available for bidding until the 4th business day after the deposit is made. A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

Final Payment:

Final payment may be made by Cashier's Check, Money Order, or wire transfer. Final payment must be received by the Tax Collector by 11:00am ET the business day following the sale.

Note: Any Deposit funds that are in excess of your minimum 5% deposit for each awarded property cannot be applied to offset your final 95% payment if you are awarded a property at auction.

All checks must be in U.S. funds and drawn upon a U.S. banking institution, made payable to the Broward County Tax Collector. The Tax Deed Department is located at Room A100, 115 S Andrews Ave, Ft Lauderdale, FL 33301.

If payment is made by cashier's check, a separate check must be received for each property purchased. The Tax Collector cannot accept final payment for multiple properties on one check.

If final payment is made via wire transfer, all applicable bank fees (of the remitting and/or receiving bank) must be included in the total amount due. Always ensure that your bank has not deducted banking fees from the amount you must wire for the final payment -- as this will cause an underpayment that will forfeit the sale.

The sale will be forfeited if the full amount is not received.

The following forms of final payment are NOT accepted:
- Personal check
- Credit cards
- Third party cashier's check
- ACH payment
- Cash
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What happens if I fail to pay the balance within the period indicated?

If you fail to make the final payment by 11: 00am ET the business day following the sale, the deposit and property are forfeited along with the bidder's/entity's privilege to participate in any future tax deed sales (197.542(2) F.S.), for the minimum of one year from the forfeited sale date.

In the event of forfeiture, the Tax Collector assesses a non-refundable Tax Collector fee, a non-refundable electronic online auction fee and other costs (e.g., re-publication costs) from the forfeited deposit. Any remaining funds from the forfeited deposit shall be applied toward the opening bid on the rescheduled sale.

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What happens to my deposit if I don't win any property?

You may choose to keep your deposit on account with the Tax Collector to use for future auctions or you may request a refund of some or all of your remaining deposit. To request a refund, log in and go to "My Payments". There you will find a link to "Request Refund". Deposits made via ACH (electronic debit) will be refunded via ACH (money will be returned to the same account that it was paid from).

A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

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Where can I find additional tax deed FAQs?

http://www.broward.org/RecordsTaxesTreasury/FAQs/Pages/TaxDeeds.aspx

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When are the tax deed sales conducted?

Sales are scheduled once a month. See the Auction Calendar for the exact dates of upcoming sales.

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Where can I get a list of tax deeds scheduled for upcoming tax deed sales?

You can obtain a list of tax deed file numbers for a particular sale on the online auction site. You may also obtain a list of tax deed file numbers scheduled for a particular sale from the Tax Collector's public records at https://broward.county-taxes.com/public/reports/real_estate. Select "Reports", then select the report for the upcoming tax deed sale date, then "run selected report."

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How can I download the sale list?

After you have logged in you can download a list of each day's sale items by selecting the sale date from the Auction Calendar, and then clicking View Auction on the left side navigation bar.

You will find the Download icon at the bottom of the page; clicking it will create an excel file with the available details for each item in the sale.

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Where can I find information on tax deed sales procedures?

Refer to the Tax Deed Instructions for procedures.

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What are the required fees?

There are no fees to participate in the online sale. If you are the winning bidder, you must pay in addition to your final bid the following costs: documentary stamp taxes ($.70 per $100 or fraction thereof of the amount bid) and recording fees. You may also be required to pay the cost of postage for the tax deed to be mailed to you. Recording fees will vary for each tax deed.

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Why is the opening bid subject to change?

Pursuant to Florida Statutes 197.502 and 197.542, the opening bid shall include subsequently issued tax certificates and additional delinquent taxes. This information is provided by the Tax Collector shortly before the sale date.

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Can I purchase a Lands Available property online?

No, Lands Available properties cannot be purchased online. For more information regarding purchasing Lands Available properties call the Tax Collector's office at (954) 357-5373.

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Do I need to register and enter a bid if I am the tax deed applicant?

Tax deed applicants will not be required to register unless they intend to bid over the opening bid. If the applicant intends to bid over the opening bid, they must register prior to the auction and will be subject to the advance deposit requirements.

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What happens if no bids are made above the opening bid?

If no bids are received for a property above the opening bid, the property shall be sold to the tax deed applicant, who shall pay to the Tax Collector any amounts included in the opening bid in excess of the amounts they have previously paid plus the documentary stamp tax and the recording fees due. Payment from the tax deed applicant must be received within thirty (30) days after the sale and must be made by Cashier's Check. Upon payment, a tax deed shall be issued and recorded by the Tax Collector.

If payment is not received from the tax deed applicant within thirty (30) days after the sale, the Tax Collector shall immediately re-advertise the sale to be held within 30 days. The tax deed applicant shall immediately remit an additional $60 sale fee, an additional $60 online auction fee and a $66.25 re-advertising fee, which will be added to the opening bid.

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How soon will I receive the tax deed?

The successful bidder will receive the tax deed after making payment in full and after the tax deed has been recorded. Tax deeds will be recorded within 90 days after the close of the sale.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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