How do I start tax sale investing in Michigan?

Learn the system first: Michigan sells tax deeds under General Property Tax Act, Act 206 of 1893, MCL 211.78-211.78t (esp. MCL 211.78m, Sale of foreclosed property). 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.

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

Investing guides / Michigan

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

Quick answerMichigan sells tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Redemption: No post-sale redemption. The owner's right to redeem ends March 31 following entry of the foreclosure judgment (or 21 days after judgment in a contested case), before the auction is held (MCL 211.78k). Sales: Taxes are returned delinquent March 1, forfeited to the county treasurer the following March 1, and foreclosed in the third year; county treasurer auctions of foreclosed property are held roughly July through November, with a first sale at a minimum bid and later sales at reduced or no minimum bid. Governing law: General Property Tax Act, Act 206 of 1893, MCL 211.78-211.78t (esp. MCL 211.78m, Sale of foreclosed property).

How it works in Michigan

In Michigan 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 - Michigan is a pure tax deed state: no lien certificate is sold to a private buyer, so there is no buyer interest rate. Interest on delinquent taxes (1% per month, rising to 1.5% per month after forfeiture) accrues to the county, not to an investor.

Redemption: No post-sale redemption. The owner's right to redeem ends March 31 following entry of the foreclosure judgment (or 21 days after judgment in a contested case), before the auction is held (MCL 211.78k).

When sales happen: Taxes are returned delinquent March 1, forfeited to the county treasurer the following March 1, and foreclosed in the third year; county treasurer auctions of foreclosed property are held roughly July through November, with a first sale at a minimum bid and later sales at reduced or no minimum bid.

Where sales run: Title Check LLC via tax-sale.info runs the state sale and many county sales; Wayne County and a number of other counties use Bid4Assets; some counties use GovEase or hold county-run / in-person sales.

Governing law: General Property Tax Act, Act 206 of 1893, MCL 211.78-211.78t (esp. MCL 211.78m, Sale of foreclosed property)

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.

First-auction minimum bid is generally the total of delinquent taxes, interest, penalties and fees; unsold parcels are re-offered at lower minimums and can pass to land banks or local units. Deeds are quitclaim - buyers typically need a quiet-title action, and former owners may claim surplus proceeds after Rafaeli v. Oakland County.

Never check Michigan county lists by hand again

LienToDeed watches the published lists and texts you the moment new Michigan properties are listed — scored, with your max number. Free calendar and laws for every state.

Get Michigan alerts

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