State laws / Washington
Washington tax sales: liens, deeds, rates & redemption
Quick answerWashington sells tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Redemption: No post-sale redemption. Owner may redeem until close of business on the day before the foreclosure sale (RCW 84.64.060/.070). Exceptions: minors and legally incompetent persons may redeem within 3 years after sale (RCW 84.64.070), and IRS liens carry a 120-day redemption. Foreclosure begins after taxes are 3 years delinquent (RCW 84.64.050). Sales: Annual county judicial foreclosure sales, typically in fall/winter — many counties in November-December Governing law: Revised Code of Washington Chapter 84.64 (RCW 84.64.050, 84.64.060, 84.64.070, 84.64.080; electronic sales RCW 84.64.225).
Where to bid: Bid4Assets (dominant for county foreclosure and tax-title sales)Public Surplus (some counties / tax-title sales)County treasurer pages
| What is sold | Tax deeds |
|---|---|
| Interest / penalty | n/a |
| Redemption period | No post-sale redemption. Owner may redeem until close of business on the day before the foreclosure sale (RCW 84.64.060/.070). Exceptions: minors and legally incompetent persons may redeem within 3 years after sale (RCW 84.64.070), and IRS liens carry a 120-day redemption. Foreclosure begins after taxes are 3 years delinquent (RCW 84.64.050). |
| When sales happen | Annual county judicial foreclosure sales, typically in fall/winter — many counties in November-December |
| Governing law | Revised Code of Washington Chapter 84.64 (RCW 84.64.050, 84.64.060, 84.64.070, 84.64.080; electronic sales RCW 84.64.225) |
| Investor notes | Judicial foreclosure state: the treasurer files a certificate of delinquency in superior court, so timelines and sale dates are court-driven and vary by county. Delinquent interest (9%/yr for 1-4 unit residential, 12% otherwise) accrues to the county, not a lien buyer; minimum bid covers taxes, interest, penalties and foreclosure costs. |
Sources
- http://spf.kitsapgov.com/treasurer/Pages/Foreclosure.aspx
- https://www.islandcountywa.gov/631/Foreclosures-and-Mobile-Home
- http://snohomishcountywa.gov/220/Tax-Foreclosures
- https://www.whatcomcounty.us/372/Auctions
- https://www.bid4assets.com/county-tax-sales
Law verified 2026-10-30 against the sources above. Confirm current details with the county tax collector / clerk before bidding — counties can change dates and procedures.
Go deeper: all Washington counties · Washington sale calendar · Washington investing guide