Online Auctions FAQs

Property owners are required to pay property taxes on an annual basis to the County Tax Collector. If the owner does not pay his/her taxes, in June of the following year a tax certificate will be sold by the Tax Collector.

Generally, if the tax certificate has not been redeemed within two years, the holder of the certificate can apply to force a public auction of the property. This auction is referred to as a "tax deed sale" and the monies collected from the sale are used to pay off the amount owed to the certificate holder.

The Clerk holds tax deed sales pursuant to Florida Statute Chapter 197.

Q. What is a tax deed sale

Clicking the plus (+) sign next to the tax deed file number will take you to a parcel number that links to the Property Appraiser's website, displaying property address and other information. You may also visit the Tax Collector's website and the Clerk's free online database of St. Lucie County's Official Records to see what you can learn about the property.

Neither the auction site nor Clerk's Office provide property information. It is your responsibility to do all the independent research regarding the property, including but not limited to, determining the property value and whether there are any liens, encumbrances or title defects.

Q. Where can I find the address for a property in which I am interested

An online tax deed sale is an auction where bids are transmitted and received electronically through the internet using a computer and a web browser. Florida Statute 197.542(4)(a) authorizes the Clerk to conduct electronic tax deed sales.

Q. What is an online tax deed sale

Prior to online tax deed sales, bidders congregated in a large crowded room in the courthouse and called out their bids to an auctioneer. Online sales allow this process to be handled electronically. Each bidder will use a personal ID and password to log on to the website and enter bids for individual properties.

Q. How is an online tax deed sale different from a "live" tax deed sale

A bidder must have internet access and a web browser; recommended browsers include: Internet Explorer version 6.0 or later, Mozilla Firefox version 3.0 or later.

Q. What equipment or software do I need to be able to participate

Registration on the website is free. However, you will need to abide by the Clerk's deposit rules. See FAQ #15 on how to submit a deposit. 

Q. Will it cost me anything to participate

Click here for contact information for technical support or questions regarding auction procedures, including registration, training, bidding, or deposits and payments.

Q. Who do I contact if I have a question about how to use the website

Please contact the Tax Collector's office at (772) 462-1650 between 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. EST on business days.

Q. If I have questions about a specific tax certificate, who do I contact

NOTE: THE PROPERTY CAN BE REDEEMED AT ANYTIME BEFORE THE FINAL PAYMENT IS RECEIVED BY THE CLERK. Upon receipt of final payment, the Clerk will issue and record a tax deed to the successful bidder. The original tax deed will be mailed via first class mail, U.S. Postal Service to the successful bidder at his/her address as shown in the Tax Deed.

Q. When is the tax deed issued and how will it be sent to me

Some liens may be dischargeable and others may not. Tax and property laws are complicated and bidders should thoroughly research outstanding or potential liens, mortgages, encumbrances or title defects prior to placing a bid on a property in a tax deed sale. It is best to seek legal advice of an attorney who can provide you with information about liens on a given property. Be advised that you are solely responsible for researching tax deed properties and you assume sole responsibility for making any bid at the online tax deed sale. The Clerk's Office does not make any representations or warranties as to the status of the title or liens on property auctioned at a tax deed sale.

Q. Does a tax deed sale eliminate all other liens on a property

• Register on the website
• Review the recorded Demo on the Home page
• Read the Tax Deed Instructions documents
• Submit the required deposit with the Clerk

Q. How do I get started

All bidders may begin placing bids at 8:00 a.m. on the scheduled day of the sale. Refer to the auction calendar for upcoming sales.

Q. When can I place my bids

Proxy bidding is a form of competitive sale in which bidders input the maximum bid they are willing to pay for a property they would like to purchase. The system will then automatically enter bids on their behalf, as necessary, up to their maximum bid.

Q. What is proxy bidding

If a bidder becomes a leading bidder (as displayed by "leader" in the bid status column) in the last one minute of the sale, the Auction Clock will change to reflect a new Auction Close Time and the sale will be extended one (1) minute to allow additional bidding. This will continue until that bidder remains leader for one (1) minute (at which time the auction closes and the leading bid becomes the Winning Bid). Be aware that submitting a bid higher than the "best bid" may not trigger overtime due to the automatic proxy bid. The bid you submit must make you the "leader" in order to trigger overtime. When you submit your bid you will get a message on your screen that indicates your bid has been accepted and your status is now leading or you are now trailing.

Q. What is the "One Minute Rule"

Advance deposits may be made online through the electronic auction website via ACH/Electronic Debit or you may submit your deposit directly to the Clerk's Tax Deed department.

If you submit your deposit via ACH/Electronic Debit, it must be submitted at least three (3) full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate. Funds will clear on the fourth (4th) business day, which must be on or before the scheduled sale day. (For example, to bid in a Monday auction, an ACH/Electronic Debit payment equal to five percent (5%) of the anticipated final bid or $200 must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the preceding Tuesday.) A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

If you submit your deposit directly to the Clerk's Tax Deed department, it must be paid by money order or cashier's check. This type of deposit must be presented to the Tax Deed Department by 4:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled auction.

All checks must be drawn upon a U.S. banking institution, made payable to Clerk and Comptroller, St. Lucie County. The Tax Deed Department is located at 2300 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce FL, 34982.

Under no circumstances will the Clerk accept credit card, personal checks or third party checks. No deposits will be accepted on the day of the auction. The Clerk's Office cannot guarantee the delivery date of deposits sent by mail. Bidders are encouraged to submit funds in person to ensure deposit requirements are met.

Note: If a deposit is made at the Clerk's office by cashier's check, the name and address of the person or entity shown as the remitter on the check will be the person or entity that will receive the credit for the deposit online. That person or entity must be registered with the same name and address on the online system. For example, if the check shows a corporate name and address, that corporation must be the registered user on the online system under the same name and address to be given the credit for the deposit. If a bidder wishes to submit and receive credit for deposits from various sources, they must make their deposits via ACH.

Q. How do I submit my deposit

An ACH debit is an electronic funds transfer from your bank account, initiated by the Clerk with your prior authorization. For more information on ACH, please visit the NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, at www.nacha.org.

Funds must be drawn from a US financial institution. Some types of money market, brokerage, and/or trust accounts cannot accept ACH debits. Please check with your financial institution prior to initiating payment on the website.

Q. What is an ACH debit

The difference between the successful bidder's deposit and the total amount due must be received by the Clerk by 2:00 pm on the next business day after the sale. If payment is made by certified check, a separate check must be received for each property purchased. The Clerk cannot accept final payment for multiple properties on one check.

Q. When do bidders have to pay the amount due for their purchases

Deposits:

Advance deposits may be made online through the electronic auction website via ACH/Electronic Debit transfer. Deposits made by ACH/Electronic Debit transfer will not be available for bidding until the 4th business day after the deposit is made. A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

Also, the deposit may be paid by money order or cashier's check. The remitter on deposits made by cashier's check must be the registered bidder with the same name and address on the online auction site.

Final Payment:

Final payment may be made by cashier's check or wire transfer. Final payment must be received by the Clerk by the 2:00 pm deadline the business day following the sale.

All checks must be drawn upon a U.S. banking institution, made payable to Clerk and Comptroller, St. Lucie County. The Tax Deed Department is located at 2300 Virginia Ave., Ft. Pierce FL, 34982.

If final payment is made via wire transfer, in order to cover wire transaction fees, the Clerk requires an additional $5.75 ($5.00 for wire fee and $.75 for postage) to be included in the total amount due. The sale will be forfeited if the full amount is not received.

If payment is made by cashier's check, a separate check must be received for each property purchased. The Clerk cannot accept final payment for multiple properties on one check.

The following forms of final payment are NOT accepted:

• Personal check
• Credit cards
• Third party cashier's check
• ACH payment

Q.What form of payment is accepted for deposits and final payment

If you fail to make the final payment by 2:00 pm the business day following the sale, you will forfeit your deposit. In the event of forfeiture, the Clerk assesses a non-refundable Clerk fee, a non-refundable electronic online auction fee and other costs (e.g., re-publication costs) from the forfeited deposit. Any remaining funds from the forfeited deposit shall be applied toward the opening bid on the rescheduled sale.

Q. What happens if I fail to pay the balance within the period indicated

You may choose to keep your deposit on account with the Clerk to use for future auctions or you may request a refund of some or all of your remaining deposit. To request a refund, log in and go to "My Payments". There you will find a link to "Request Refund". If you funded your deposit account via ACH (electronic debit) you will be refunded via ACH (money will be returned to the same account from which it was paid). If you funded your deposit account directly with the Clerk, you will receive a refund check issued by the Clerk. You can check on the status of your refund check by contacting the Clerk's Office directly.

A refund of unused ACH deposits will be automatically initiated on the 85th day following a deposit. If you are interested in bidding on a property beyond that time period, it is your sole responsibility to submit a new deposit at least three full business days before the auction in which you intend to participate.

Q. What happens to my deposit if I don't win any property

Click here to visit the Tax Deeds page

Q. Where can I find additional tax deed FAQs on the Clerk's website

Sales are typically scheduled on Mondays. See the Auction Calendar for the exact dates of upcoming sales. Bids are accepted beginning at 8 a.m. on scheduled sale days.

Q. When are the tax deed sales

You can obtain a list of tax deed file numbers for a particular sale on the online auction site. You may also obtain a list of tax deed file numbers scheduled for a particular sale from the Clerk's public records.

Q. Where can I get a list of tax certificates scheduled for upcoming tax deed sales

The Clerk's Administrative Policy, "Clerk's Tax Deed Sales Procedures," contains information on the tax deed sales procedures. The policy can be downloaded from the homepage of the online auction site or the Clerk's website. The Clerk's tax deed sales page also contains general information on the Clerk's tax sales.

Q. Where can I find information on tax deed sales procedures

There are no fees to participate in the online sale. If you are the winning bidder, you must pay in addition to your final bid the following costs: documentary stamp taxes ($.70 per $100 or fraction thereof of the amount bid) and recording fees. You may also be required to pay the cost of postage for the tax deed to be mailed to you. Recording fees will vary for each tax deed.

Q. What are the required fees

If tax certificates exist or if delinquent taxes accrued after the filing of the tax deed application, the amount required to redeem such tax certificates or pay such delinquent taxes must now be included in the opening bid. Therefore, the redemption amount and the opening bid are subject to change without notice. Call the Tax Collector at 772-462-1650 to get the current redemption amount. The opening bid is available on the RealAuction or by calling our Tax Deeds Department at 772-462-6926.

Q. Why is the opening bid subject to change

• Rescheduled - means the property is canceled for the current sale and will be rescheduled for a future sale
• Redeemed - means the property was redeemed and will not go to sale.
• Pulled from Sale – means the property was removed from the sale and may be rescheduled for another sale.
• Bankruptcy – means the property was removed from the sale due to a bankruptcy filing.
• Applicant Canceled - means the property was removed from the sale by the applicant.

Q. What do "Rescheduled", "Redeemed", "Pulled from Sale", "Bankruptcy" and "Applicant Canceled" mean

Deposit funds may be used to bid on multiple sales as long as funds are sufficient to cover 5% of the maximum combined bids. Deposit funds will be allocated to the properties in the order the bids were placed. The funds will be returned to your deposit account and will be available for additional bidding if you are not the successful bidder on a property.

Q. What happens with my deposit funds if I am bidding on tax deeds and foreclosures at the same time

No, Lands Available properties cannot be purchased online. For more information regarding purchasing Lands Available properties or call the Clerk's office at 772-462-1476.

Q. Can I purchase a Lands Available property online

Certificate holders will not be required to register unless they intend to bid over the opening bid. If the certificate holder intends to bid over the opening bid, they must register prior to the auction and will be subject to the advance deposit requirements. See the Clerk's Administrative Policy, "Clerk's Tax Deed Sales Procedures," for additional information.

Q. Do I need to register and enter a bid if I am the certificate holder

If no bids are received for a property above the opening bid, the property shall be sold to the certificate holder, who shall pay to the Clerk any amounts included in the opening bid in excess of the amounts they have previously paid plus the documentary stamp tax and the recording fees due. Payment from the certificate holder must be received within thirty (30) days after the sale and must be made by Cash or Cashier's Check. Upon payment, a tax deed shall be issued and recorded by the Clerk.

If payment is not received from the certificate holder within thirty (30) days after the sale, the Clerk shall immediately enter the land on a list entitled “Lands Available for Taxes”

Q. What happens if no bids are made above the opening bid