Course · Lesson 7 of 8
Sale day and the next 24 hours
Fund on time, bid clean, and pay before the clock runs out.
Before the sale
- Fund your account before your county's deadline. Holidays add time.
- Check the parcel hasn't been redeemed or pulled. Sale lists change right up to the day.
- Have your maximum for every parcel written down, in order.
During the sale
Volusia auctions each item in order of certificate number, starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. Other counties differ. If you're at a live sale, be early, and bring what the clerk says to bring. Volusia stopped taking cash on January 1, 2022, so never assume.
After you win
The clock starts. Your deposit is 5 percent of the bid or $200, whichever is greater, and it's nonrefundable. The balance, documentary stamps and recording fees are due within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays. In Volusia, recording is $10 for the first page and $8.50 for each page after it.
Miss that deadline, and under section 197.542 the clerk cancels all bids and readvertises the sale, and you've lost your deposit.
Don't spend yet
Until full payment reaches the clerk and the deed issues, the owner can still redeem. Hold off on surveys, clearing and lawyers until the deed is yours.
Do this now
Write a one-page sale plan: funding date, wire details, parcels in order, each maximum, and who pays the balance.
Check yourself
When is the balance due?
Within 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays.
Should you hire a surveyor the night you win?
No. Wait until the deed is issued, because the owner can redeem until then.