Guide to Tax Deed Sales in Franklin County

• •Tax deed sales are public auctions for real estate with delinquent taxes.
• •Auctions are generally held on the first Monday of the month at 11:00 AM at the Main Courthouse in Apalachicola.
• •Property owners are legally responsible for knowing taxes are due annually and paying them before April 1 of the following year.
• •Sales are advertised in 'The Apalachicola Times' once a week for four consecutive weeks.
• •Governmental liens (municipal, county, special district) survive the issuance of a tax deed if not satisfied by sale proceeds.
• •Successful bidders must pay the full bid amount plus recording fees and documentary stamps ($0.70 per $100 of the bid).
• •If full payment is not made immediately, a nonrefundable deposit of 5% of the bid or $200 (whichever is greater) is required.
• •Full payment must be made within 24 hours in cash or cashier's check.
• •Property owners can stop a sale by paying all owed taxes, fees, and stamps before the clerk receives full payment for the deed.
• •The Clerk's Office charges $1.00 per page for copies of legal ads or paperwork.
• •Properties are sold 'buyer beware' and the Clerk's Office does not guarantee the status of encumbrances.

Residents and investors can purchase properties at public auction if taxes are unpaid, but they must be aware that these sales are 'buyer beware' and certain government liens may remain attached to the property.

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.