SAN DIEGO –
San Diego and
Riverside counties are hosting consecutive public auctions for over 1,600 tax-defaulted properties, creating a unique spike in
real estate opportunities in the area.
With the starting bids as low as $100, officials are launching registration portals this month for residential
homes, vacant lots, and commercial properties.
Key Information:
Trevor-Tax Collector Larry Cohen of San Diego County and the Riverside County Board of Supervisors have approved two of the largest tax sales in the recent past.
For San Diego,
666 properties are set for an online auction from March 13–18, including improved parcels, unimproved lots, and timeshare interests.
Riverside County’s auction is even more extensive, featuring 946 properties slated for sale from April 23–28.
RELATED COVERAGE: Almost 1000 IE homes to be auctioned in April: Key Details
The Inland Empire offerings range from a $4.5 million commercial property to nearly two dozen lots in
Lake Elsinore and
Wildomar, with starting bids at $100.
To participate in either auction, bidders need to register online and submit a refundable deposit—$1,000 for San Diego and $5,000 for Riverside.
Uncertainties:
Although numerous properties are listed, the final auction count frequently decreases.
It remains unclear how many owners will pay their dues before the final “redemption” deadlines in March and April.
Important Dates:
February 26: The window for registration and deposit officially opens for Riverside County.
March 3: The final registration deadline for the San Diego County auction.
March 12 (5 p.m.): Deadline for San Diego property owners to pay back taxes and prevent property sale.
March 13–18: San Diego County’s online property tax auction.
April 20: The final registration and deposit deadline for the Riverside County auction.
April 22: Last opportunity for Riverside property owners to redeem their properties.
April 23–28: Riverside County’s online property tax auction.
Statements Made:
San Diego Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Cohen stated that his office strives to contact owners before any sale, but underscored that the auction is crucial to “sell properties that have been in tax default for a minimum of five years.”
In Riverside, the Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed the sale to restore parcels to “revenue-generating status.” Officials are also advising residents lacking home internet access to “utilize public computer terminals at Riverside County Library System branches” for equal access to the bidding process.
What to Consider:
Prospective buyers should promptly begin their research on specific parcels via the respective Treasurer-Tax Collector websites.
>> Click here for San Diego County details <<
>> Click here for Riverside County details <<
Bidders for the Riverside auction are advised to confirm all zoning laws and physical site conditions before placing bids, as “all sales are final.”
If you are a property owner currently in default, please reach out to your county tax office to arrange payment prior to the redemption deadlines on March 12 (San Diego) or April 22 (Riverside).
Source: This information derives from the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office and Riverside County Board of Supervisors, along with the San Diego and Riverside County Treasurer-Tax Collector departments.
