Howell 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 Howell County, Missouri.
Where to Bid on Howell County Auctions
Public delinquent property auctions for Howell County are managed by the Howell County Collector of Revenue and hosted online via Howell County Courthouse Steps (4th Monday of August) Portal.
Howell County Sheriff Sales & Judicial Foreclosures
In addition to delinquent tax sales, the Howell 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.
Howell County Post-Third Offering Trustee OTC Deeds (Over-The-Counter)
Parcels and certificates that receive no bids during the scheduled public auctions enter the county's permanent Post-Third Offering Trustee OTC Deeds inventory. Any citizen or investor can purchase these parcels directly from the Howell County Collector of Revenue over the counter for the delinquent taxes and fees owed, without competing in an auction.
Unclaimed Tax Sale Surplus Funds in Howell County
When a delinquent property is auctioned in Howell 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 Howell County
Pre-Auction Due Diligence
Review the Howell 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 Courthouse Steps (4th Monday of August) 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 price upward against competing buyers. Ensure you do not exceed your predetermined maximum acquisition budget.
Payment & Deed Issuance
Settle the remaining purchase balance within 24 hours. The Howell County Collector of Revenue issues a certificate or records the tax deed with the County Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions: Howell County Tax Sales
Is Howell County a tax lien or tax deed county? ▼
Howell County follows the Missouri Tax Deed (Offerings 1-3) statutes. Bidders either obtain a first-position tax lien certificate earning 10% Statutory Return (+8% on overbid) statutory return or purchase physical real property deeds at public auction.
Can I buy Howell County tax properties online? ▼
Yes. Tax auctions are conducted through Courthouse Steps (4th Monday of August) (https://dor.mo.gov). Registered bidders can participate remotely from anywhere in the world.
What happens if a property does not sell at auction in Howell County? ▼
Unsold parcels are added to the Howell County Post-Third Offering Trustee OTC Deeds list. These properties can be acquired directly over-the-counter through the Howell County Collector of Revenue without an auction.