Taxpayer Services

BASIC SALE PRICE
All parcels are offered at public auction and sold to the highest bidder. The minimum bid acceptable is the basic sale price, which is equal to the appraised value plus any extra charges for special assessments levied after forfeiture as shown on the list.

ADDITIONAL FEES
In addition to the purchase price of the land, the following extra fees and costs are due at the time of sale:



State Assurance Account Surcharge - 3% of the sale price

State Deed Fee - $25.00

State Deed Tax - 0.33% of the sale price

Conservation Fee - $5.00

Recording Fee - $46.00 if Abstract, $46 if Torrens



PAYMENT TERMS
Payment in full is required at the time of purchase. Cashier's Checks, Money Orders, Certified Checks and Personal checks are all accepted. If you choose to use Certified Funds, the payee line must contain the names of both Washington County and the name of the bidder with "or" between the names. Driver's License or other valid picture ID required.


SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
If a parcel had cancelled special assessments, as indicated on the list in column "A", a percentage of the purchase price will be applied toward the cancelled assessment. Any remaining balance may be reassessed by the municipality.

Any special assessments which were levied after forfeiture and certified to the County Auditor-Treasurer have been added to the appraised value and must be paid by the purchaser as part of the basic sale price. These are shown on the list in column "B".

Improvements not yet assessed are the responsibility of the purchaser.


CONDITIONS
Sales are subject to existing leases, to building restrictions appearing of record at the time of forfeiture and to easements obtained by any governmental subdivision or agency thereof for any public purpose. The appraised value does not represent a basis for future taxes. Contact the city where the land is located for details of building codes or zoning laws. ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS" AND MAY NOT CONFORM TO LOCAL BUILDING AND ZONING ORDINANCES. THE COUNTY MAKES NO WARRANTY THAT THE LAND IS BUILDABLE. ALL SALES ARE FINAL, AND NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES ARE PERMITTED. Washington County is not responsible for location or determining property lines or boundaries. For all land not in platted subdivision, there are restrictive covenants for marginal lands and wetlands.

TITLE
The purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale at the time of purchase. The Commissioner of Revenue will issue a deed from the State of Minnesota after full payment is made. The law provides that this conveyance has the force and effect of a patent from the State. However, tax forfeiture creates a break in the chain of title, and services of an attorney may be necessary to make the title marketable.


FORMER OWNERS
Former owners must pay the basic sale price or the amount of delinquency whichever is more, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 282.01 subd. 7.


PARCELS REMAINING UNSOLD
Any parcel not sold at a public sale may be purchased over the counter by paying the basic sale price. The basic sale price cannot be changed until the parcel is reappraised, republished, and again offered at a public sale.

Maps and any other information about the sale of tax forfeited land in Washington County can be obtained from:

The Department of Property Records and Taxpayer Services
14949 62nd Street North, Room 290, P.O. Box 6
Stillwater, MN 55082

Telephone # 651-430-6175
Fax #651-430-6178