Foreclosed properties

Foreclosure is a legal action the county takes as its final effort to collect delinquent property taxes.  You can bid on these properties at public sales. Bidders should research each property carefully and consult a lawyer as there may be other liens against the property besides the tax debt.  

Each property sold “as is” with no expressed or implied warranties of any kind, including merchantability and fitness for a particular use. Research the property carefully to know what you are buying and to find out about any additional liens. Buyers may be responsible for satisfying any outstanding debts against the property. 

The county is only looking to satisfy the property tax debt. Taxes, penalties and interest, court costs and expenses from the foreclosure process to the time of sale are the responsibility of the property’s purchaser.

If you owe any back taxes on any property in Travis County, you are ineligible to bid at tax sales.

Before the Tax Sale 

• View the properties: Check the Travis RealAuction website about 15 days before the sale to see a list of available properties. 
• Research the properties: Use the Bidder's Basic Guide to research properties you are interested in buying.
• Register with RealAuction: Head to the Travis RealAuction website and register. Here, you will choose the name you want on the Constable's Deed. Remember your bidder number from RealAuction.  
• Register with the tax office: Submit the Bidder Registration (Solicitud para participar en las subastas de propiedades) and the $10 fee online at least five business days before the date of the sale. 
• Wait for approval: The tax office will check your eligibility and email you once you are approved to bid. After approval, you will be able to use your bidder number to participate in the auction. 
• Registration lasts a year: If your eligibility to bid is approved, it's valid for one year, so you won't need to re-register for the next tax sale. 

Important: You must register with BOTH RealAuction and the tax office to bid. Don't miss a step! 

Deadline to submit the Bidder Registration to the tax office

After the Sale 

• We mail receipts to the purchaser a few weeks after the sale. 
• Within four weeks, we mail a Constable's Deed. This is not a warranty deed and serves only to tell you the ownership held by the tax lawsuit defendants. The lawsuit is part of the foreclosure process, allowing the county to receive a judgment from the court that it can sell the property for delinquent taxes. The deed also tells you the property is free of tax liens for the years included in the tax lawsuit. However, other taxes may be due on the property.