How to Purchase County-Owned Property

Process to purchase a county owned property that will be declared as a surplus property.

  1. Persons interested in purchasing a surplus property (county has title to property) must provide a written request to purchase with the following details: 

a)      one single Parcel id and property address

b)      petitioner’s name and mailing address

c)       statement of use

d)      list properties the petitioner owns in the county

e)      list any code violations.

f)       state that you would like to purchase (parcel id) as a surplus property

  1. Interdepartmental Review
  2. Appraisal by Property Appraisal Department
  3. Petitioner provides $75 cashier’s check for processing fee made payable to “DeKalb County”
  4. DeKalb Board of Commissioners (BOC) votes to either approve, defer or deny
  5. If approved by BOC, the Purchasing Department coordinates bidding process
  6. Highest bid that meets or exceeds the fair market value (fmv) by deadline is awarded the property
  7. Quitclaim Deed is issued and ownership updated

Process to purchase an unredeemed & unforeclosed tax property

  1. Persons interested in purchasing a surplus property (county has title to property) must provide a written request to purchase with the following details: 

a)      one single parcel ID

b)      petitioner’s name and mailing address

c)       statement of use

d)      list properties the petitioner owns in the county

e)      list any code violations.

f)       state that you would like to purchase the tax interest of (parcel id)

  1. Tax Commissioners Office provides payoff amount (interest + fees)
  2. Petitioner is notified of the payoff amount and Petitioner provides $75 cashier’s check for processing fee made payable to “DeKalb County”
  3. DeKalb Board of Commissioners (BOC) votes to either approve, defer or deny the sale of tax interest
  4. Petitioner pays full payoff amount
  5. Quitclaim deed is issued and ownership is updated
  6. Petitioner foreclose the right of redemption.  Petitioner should seek legal advice if not familiar with process.