How do I start tax sale investing in California?

Learn the system first: California sells tax deeds under California Revenue & Taxation Code §§ 3351, 3691-3731 (Chapter 7 sale, §3700 et seq.; power of sale §3691; redemption termination §3707). Register with the county or its auction platform before the sale, post any required deposit, research each parcel in the property appraiser and clerk records, and set your max number before bidding.

California Tax Sale Investing Guide — Buy the property itself at the county sale

Investing guides / California

California tax sale investing: buy the property itself at the county sale

Quick answerCalifornia sells tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Redemption: Owner may redeem until close of business on the last business day before the sale commences (Rev. & Tax. Code §3707); no post-sale redemption (right revives only if the property does not sell). Property becomes subject to the tax collector's power to sell after 5 years tax-defaulted, or 3 years for nonresidential commercial property (counties may elect 5) and for property subject to a nuisance abatement lien (§3691). Sales: County auctions vary by county, most in spring (many May-June) with reoffers within 90 days; some counties hold fall sales Governing law: California Revenue & Taxation Code §§ 3351, 3691-3731 (Chapter 7 sale, §3700 et seq.; power of sale §3691; redemption termination §3707).

How it works in California

In California the county sells the property itself at a tax deed auction. Win the bid and the deed is yours — along with the due diligence burden, because sales are as-is and buyer beware.

Interest / penalty: n/a

Redemption: Owner may redeem until close of business on the last business day before the sale commences (Rev. & Tax. Code §3707); no post-sale redemption (right revives only if the property does not sell). Property becomes subject to the tax collector's power to sell after 5 years tax-defaulted, or 3 years for nonresidential commercial property (counties may elect 5) and for property subject to a nuisance abatement lien (§3691).

When sales happen: County auctions vary by county, most in spring (many May-June) with reoffers within 90 days; some counties hold fall sales

Where sales run: Bid4Assets (dominant, used by dozens of CA counties), GovEase (e.g. Contra Costa County), County-specific portals / Grant Street (e.g. San Diego)

Governing law: California Revenue & Taxation Code §§ 3351, 3691-3731 (Chapter 7 sale, §3700 et seq.; power of sale §3691; redemption termination §3707)

The investor's edge

Your edge is the max bid: value the property from county records and recent sales, subtract title-clearing and repair reality, and write the number down before the auction opens.

Pure deed sale, so no lien interest rate — delinquent amounts instead accrue a 1.5%/month redemption penalty before sale. Unsold parcels may be reoffered within 90 days at a reduced minimum price (as low as $1 in some county authorizations, §§3692(e), 3698.5(c)), so reoffer/over-the-counter leftovers are a major investor channel and minimum bid can drop below taxes owed.

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Full legal reference: California tax sale laws. Verified 2026-10-30 against the sources on that page. Educational only, not investment advice.