Are Florida tax sales a good opportunity?

Florida sells liens + tax deeds (hybrid) under Florida Statutes Chapter 197 (esp. §§ 197.172, 197.432, 197.472, 197.502, 197.542). 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.

Florida Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know This Season

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

Counties publish sale lists on their own schedules — Tax certificate sales on or before June 1 annually (typically late May-early June); tax deed sales held by Clerks of Court several times per month, year-round, varying by county LienToDeed watches those publications and alerts members when new Florida properties are listed.

Blog / State spotlights

Florida tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerFlorida sells liens + tax deeds (hybrid) for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 18% per year maximum, bid down in 0.25% increments to 0% (Fla. Stat. § 197.172(2), § 197.432(6)); 5% mandatory minimum on redemption applies to most certificates. Redemption: Certificates: owner may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued; certificate holder may apply for a tax deed after 2 years (§ 197.502) and the certificate expires after 7 years if no application is made. Tax deed sales: no post-sale redemption once the deed is issued / winning bid is paid. Sales: Tax certificate sales on or before June 1 annually (typically late May-early June); tax deed sales held by Clerks of Court several times per month, year-round, varying by county Governing law: Florida Statutes Chapter 197 (esp. §§ 197.172, 197.432, 197.472, 197.502, 197.542).

What's actually for sale

Florida sells liens + tax deeds (hybrid). Bid-down interest auction; unsold certificates are struck to the county at 18% and are commonly available over-the-counter afterward. Tax deed sales are premium/highest-bid sales; a quiet title action is usually needed for insurable title after a tax deed.

The rate that decides your return

18% per year maximum, bid down in 0.25% increments to 0% (Fla. Stat. § 197.172(2), § 197.432(6)); 5% mandatory minimum on redemption applies to most certificates

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: Tax certificate sales on or before June 1 annually (typically late May-early June); tax deed sales held by Clerks of Court several times per month, year-round, varying by county

Redemption: Certificates: owner may redeem at any time before a tax deed is issued; certificate holder may apply for a tax deed after 2 years (§ 197.502) and the certificate expires after 7 years if no application is made. Tax deed sales: no post-sale redemption once the deed is issued / winning bid is paid.

Where the sales happen

RealAuction / RealTaxLien (certificates), RealAuction / RealTaxDeed (deeds), LienHub (Grant Street Group) — used by e.g. Hillsborough, Orange, Pinellas, Duval. 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 Florida lists for me

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

Get Florida alerts

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