Ann Arbor — home of the University of Michigan and Michigan's highest property values outside the Oakland County luxury corridor. Washtenaw County offers Michigan's most reliable deed resale market — but also its most competitive auction environment and smallest annual inventory. Individual investors need significant capital and a targeted strategy to compete effectively here.
Michigan's standard process applies: taxes go delinquent March 1, forfeiture occurs the following March 1, and foreclosure judgment enters by March 31 of year two or three. All prior ownership rights extinguish at foreclosure judgment. The county then holds a public auction of foreclosed properties — typically in summer or early fall. Register early, fund your deposit, and download the parcel list as soon as it's published.
Properties that don't sell at the Washtenaw County county auction transfer to the Michigan Department of Treasury state auction — typically held in October or November — at dramatically reduced minimum bids. State auction properties tend to be more distressed or have title complications, but experienced investors monitor both tiers. The state auction occasionally reveals legitimate opportunities missed at the county level.
Unlike lien states with redemption periods, Michigan tax deeds convey title immediately at auction — there is no post-sale redemption right. Title insurance availability varies by property and county — consult a Michigan title company and real estate attorney before your target auction. If the property is occupied, Michigan's summary eviction process applies (30–90 days, requires court filing).
Eastern Washtenaw County with more accessible price points than Ann Arbor. Eastern Michigan University anchor provides rental demand. Lower competition than Ann Arbor proper. Best individual investor entry point in Washtenaw County.
Southern county communities with stable residential character and limited deed volume. Less competition than the Ann Arbor urban core. Manufacturing employment provides steady rental demand.
Agricultural townships in western Washtenaw County. Very low competition, low price points. Limited resale market — primarily land banking or agricultural use.
Ann Arbor core properties attract institutional deed investors. Auction prices approach retail value. Individual investors need very strong targeting and capital to compete effectively in Ann Arbor's urban core.
The Huron River runs through Ann Arbor. Verify FEMA FIRM before bidding any parcel near the river, Barton Pond, or low-lying riverfront areas.
Properties within immediate walking distance of central campus command retail prices at auction. Competition is fierce and acquisition economics are difficult for individual investors at these price levels.
| County seat | Ann Arbor |
| Population | ~375K |
| Major employers | University of Michigan, Michigan Medicine, Google, Toyota Research Institute — education, healthcare, tech |
| Sale type | Tax Deed — MCL § 211.78 |
| Auction format | Public auction — online or in-person; register with county treasurer |
| Auction timing | Summer–Fall (county); Oct–Nov (state auction for unsold properties) |
| Post-sale redemption | None — title transfers immediately at auction |
| Typical price range | $20K–$150K — varies by location and condition |
| Competition level | High |
| Title insurance | Availability varies — consult a Michigan title company before bidding |
| County Treasurer | Washtenaw County Treasurer · washtenaw.org → |
| Governing statute | MCL § 211.78 → |
Annual tax deed auction dates, registration requirements, deposit details, and property list. Contact the treasurer directly to confirm current-year auction schedule. Register early — deposit requirements apply.
www.washtenaw.org →Assessed values, ownership records, and property classification. Verify assessed value against typical auction price to assess acquisition economics. Check ownership history for any flags.
County records →Deed history, mortgages, liens, and all recorded instruments. Research title chain on target parcels. Check for IRS federal tax liens — these survive Michigan's tax deed process and the IRS retains a 120-day redemption right.
Register of Deeds →Parcel boundaries, aerial imagery, and property data. Essential for assessing parcel location, access, and condition. Use satellite imagery to identify structure existence and visible condition issues before bidding.
GIS Portal →Unsold county auction properties transfer to the state auction at reduced minimums. Monitor Michigan.gov/taxes for the annual state auction schedule. Often overlooked by investors — occasionally reveals genuine opportunities.
michigan.gov/taxes →Michigan EGLE Contaminated Sites — relevant for older commercial parcels in Ypsilanti's manufacturing corridor and older Ann Arbor commercial zones.
EGLE Sites →Official FEMA FIRM flood zone designations. Verify before bidding any parcel near rivers, lakes, or low-lying areas. Michigan has significant flood risk in river corridor counties.
FEMA Maps →Federal tax liens survive Michigan's tax deed process — the IRS retains a 120-day right of redemption after any subsequent sale. Search for IRS filings before bidding any commercial or business-associated parcel.
IRS Lien Search →Find Michigan-licensed title companies familiar with tax deed conveyances. Title insurance availability varies by county and property history — confirm with a title company before your target auction, not after.
micta.org →Find a Michigan-licensed real estate attorney familiar with tax deed investing. Essential for title questions, eviction proceedings, and any deed with a complicated ownership or occupancy situation.
michbar.org →Local residential market statistics and trends. Use to verify resale assumptions for any parcel where you plan to flip or hold for rental after acquisition.
Market Stats →Michigan's governing statute for the tax forfeiture and foreclosure process — the two-tier timeline, foreclosure judgment, auction procedures, and deed conveyance.
MCL § 211.78 →Use the ROI Calculator to underwrite acquisition price, renovation, and hold costs. Use the Parcel Tracker to log condition flags and environmental research across your target list.