How do I start tax sale investing in North Dakota?

Learn the system first: North Dakota sells tax deeds under North Dakota Century Code Chapter 57-28 (NDCC 57-28-01, 57-28-02, 57-28-09, 57-28-13, 57-28-14, 57-28-19). 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.

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

Investing guides / North Dakota

North Dakota tax sale investing: buy the property itself at the county sale

Quick answerNorth Dakota sells tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Redemption: No private lien sale (eliminated in 1999). The county forecloses the tax lien: the auditor gives foreclosure notice on or before June 1 for all property for which two or more years have passed since the tax became due (NDCC 57-28-01), the tax lien foreclosure date is October 1 after service of the notice (NDCC 57-28-02), and if the lien is not satisfied a tax deed issues to the county (NDCC 57-28-09). No redemption after the county's sale; the former owner (or executor/administrator, parent, spouse, or child) may repurchase while the tax title remains in the county (NDCC 57-28-19). Sales: Annual sale of tax-deeded land on the third Tuesday in November at the county auditor's office (NDCC 57-28-13) Governing law: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 57-28 (NDCC 57-28-01, 57-28-02, 57-28-09, 57-28-13, 57-28-14, 57-28-19).

How it works in North Dakota

In North Dakota 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: No private lien sale (eliminated in 1999). The county forecloses the tax lien: the auditor gives foreclosure notice on or before June 1 for all property for which two or more years have passed since the tax became due (NDCC 57-28-01), the tax lien foreclosure date is October 1 after service of the notice (NDCC 57-28-02), and if the lien is not satisfied a tax deed issues to the county (NDCC 57-28-09). No redemption after the county's sale; the former owner (or executor/administrator, parent, spouse, or child) may repurchase while the tax title remains in the county (NDCC 57-28-19).

When sales happen: Annual sale of tax-deeded land on the third Tuesday in November at the county auditor's office (NDCC 57-28-13)

Where sales run: Mostly in-person at the county auditor's office / county sale, County auditor notices and official county newspaper; no dominant online platform

Governing law: North Dakota Century Code Chapter 57-28 (NDCC 57-28-01, 57-28-02, 57-28-09, 57-28-13, 57-28-14, 57-28-19)

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.

Investors buy only from the county after foreclosure, at or above a county-set minimum price — there is no lien certificate, interest return, or private foreclosure path. Unsold parcels may be sold later by the board of county commissioners under Chapter 57-28 procedures.

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