Lien & deed investing checklist. Toggle between investment types below.
Complete before auction day — deadlines are unforgiving
Registration confirmed and accepted. Received bidder number or online login credentials. Most deadlines are 1–2 weeks before auction day — do not wait.
Refundable bidder deposit submitted ($500–$2,000+ depending on county). Confirmed receipt. Online platforms may hold funds in escrow — verified amount and timing.
Know whether this county uses bid-down (interest rate), premium bidding (overbid), or rotational assignment. Rules can vary by county and change year to year.
Know the opening bid, minimum increment, payment deadline, and rules for forfeiture. Review the auctioneer's full terms — especially deposit forfeiture conditions.
Bid-Down Format Note In bid-down auctions your return is the interest rate you win, not a purchase price. Your minimum acceptable rate is your walk-away point — set it before the auction, not during. Factor in all fees: if you pay $150 in due diligence costs on a $3,500 lien at 5%, that's 7+ months of interest just to break even.Most counties publish the list 2–4 weeks ahead. Prioritized which parcels to bid on and in what order. Noted any properties to skip and reasons why.
In bid-down auctions: the lowest interest rate at which the deal still pencils after all fees. In premium auctions: the maximum dollar amount above face value you will pay.
Purchase price ceiling = (Market value) − (Repair costs) − (Carrying costs) − (Closing costs) − (Target profit). This number does not move in the heat of bidding.
Discipline Factor — Know Your Floor Your redemption confidence score from pre-auction research should inform your minimum rate. High confidence (owner-occupied SFR, clean title, strong equity) = you can accept a lower rate and still sleep well. Low confidence = demand a higher rate to compensate for non-redemption risk, or skip the parcel entirely. Your maximum bid should already account for worst-case repair and holding scenarios. The auction room is not the place to revise assumptions upward.Have capital ready before the gavel falls
Funds are in a checking account ready to wire — not in a savings account with transfer delays, a CD, or a brokerage account requiring liquidation.
Verified whether the county requires wire transfer, certified check, ACH, or online payment. Some counties require in-person certified funds same day.
Confirmed the hours and date by which payment must clear. Most counties allow 24–72 hours. Some in-person auctions require immediate payment. Missing this deadline forfeits your deposit.
Got the county's exact wire details (routing, account number, memo field) in advance so there is no scramble after winning. Confirmed with the county treasurer's office directly.
What to bring and do on auction day
Required for identity verification at in-person auctions. Some counties also require proof of entity registration if bidding as an LLC or corporation.
For online auctions: logged in and tested the platform before auction opens. For in-person: collected paddle and confirmed bidder number at check-in.
Written list of target properties and maximum bids for each. Reviewing this one more time before bidding opens. This list is final — not to be revised in the room.
Wire transfer is queued or certified check is in hand. Able to submit payment within minutes of winning, not hours.