Pima County Public Auctions & Sheriff Sales
Comprehensive guide to county sheriff foreclosure auctions, tax deeds, tax lien certificates, over-the-counter land purchases, and surplus funds in Pima County, Arizona.
Where to Bid on Pima County Auctions
Public delinquent property auctions for Pima County are managed by the Pima County Treasurer and hosted online via Pima County Tax Lien Auction.
Pima County Sheriff Sales & Judicial Foreclosures
In addition to delinquent tax sales, the Pima County Sheriff's Office Civil Division conducts regular public foreclosure auctions ordered by the Circuit or Superior Court to satisfy mortgage default judgments, construction liens, and civil court executions.
Pima County County Held Certificate (OTC) (Over-The-Counter)
Parcels and certificates that receive no bids during the scheduled public auctions enter the county's permanent County Held Certificate (OTC) inventory. Any citizen or investor can purchase these parcels directly from the Pima County Treasurer over the counter for the delinquent taxes and fees owed, without competing in an auction.
Unclaimed Tax Sale Surplus Funds in Pima County
When a delinquent property is auctioned in Pima County for more than the outstanding taxes, penalties, and administrative fees, the resulting funds are termed excess proceeds (surplus funds). By law, these funds belong to the former property owner or their legal heirs.
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4 Steps to Bid on Properties in Pima County
Pre-Auction Due Diligence
Review the Pima County delinquent tax list published 4–6 weeks prior to the sale. Perform title searches on Parcel ID numbers to identify superior federal liens or mortgages.
Bidder Registration & Deposit
Register on RealAuction at least 48 hours prior to auction start. Deposit required bidder funds (often 5% of anticipated bid budget or flat $200 deposit).
Auction Bidding Strategy
Bid down the interest rate from the statutory Up to 16% Annual Bid-Down Interest cap to win the lien certificate.
Payment & Deed Issuance
Settle the remaining purchase balance within 24 hours. The Pima County Treasurer issues a certificate or records the tax deed with the County Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions: Pima County Tax Sales
Is Pima County a tax lien or tax deed county? ▼
Pima County follows the Arizona Tax Lien statutes. Bidders either obtain a first-position tax lien certificate earning Up to 16% Annual Bid-Down Interest statutory return or purchase physical real property deeds at public auction.
Can I buy Pima County tax properties online? ▼
Yes. Tax auctions are conducted through RealAuction (https://pima.arizonataxsale.com). Registered bidders can participate remotely from anywhere in the world.
What happens if a property does not sell at auction in Pima County? ▼
Unsold parcels are added to the Pima County County Held Certificate (OTC) list. These properties can be acquired directly over-the-counter through the Pima County Treasurer without an auction.