Investing guides / Oregon

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

How it works in Oregon

In Oregon 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: Property is subject to foreclosure after 3 years delinquent (ORS 312.010); after the foreclosure judgment the owner has a 2-year redemption period (ORS 312.120, 312.200). If not redeemed the property is deeded to the county; no redemption after the county deed or the county's later sale.

When sales happen: No statewide sale date: foreclosure is an annual county process, and counties sell tax-foreclosed surplus property periodically / year-round as inventory allows

Where sales run: Mostly county-run: in-person sheriff/commissioner auctions, sealed-bid sales and county property-disposition pages, No dominant statewide online platform

Governing law: Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 312 (ORS 312.010, 312.120, 312.200) and Chapter 275 (ORS 275.110-275.275, county land sales)

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.

Oregon does not auction the property to investors at foreclosure — the county forecloses judicially, takes the deed itself after the 2-year post-judgment redemption, and only later sells surplus land under ORS 275, often by quitclaim deed and frequently unimproved/unbuildable parcels. Delinquent taxes accrue 16%/yr interest (1-1/3%/month) to the county, not to a lien buyer.

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