How a Texas tax sale works

When property taxes go unpaid long enough, the county gets a court judgment and the land is auctioned — usually on the first Tuesday of the month, at the courthouse or online.

The opening bid is set by the court, often far below what the land is worth. The highest bidder pays at the sale and gets a sheriff's or constable's deed.

One thing to know before you bid: in Texas the former owner can buy the property back after the sale — within 180 days for most land, or 2 years for a homestead or agricultural land. If they do, they repay your bid and set costs plus a premium set by law (25%, or 50% in a second year), and you hand back the land. Money spent improving it is not repaid, so treat the premium as a refund, not a profit.

Texas listings on landrush show the sale date and opening bid wherever the county has published them, and link the official notice so you can confirm how and where to bid.