Sale and Bidding Instructions
Anoka County sells Tax-forfeited lands via two different methods. Please refer to the sale description to determine which method applies.
Sealed Bid Auctions
The following instructions are for submitting a bid for a Sealed Bid Auction.
- Request a Sealed Bid Form and official envelope either by sending an email request or by calling 763-324-1109 or 763-323-5400. Bid forms and envelopes are also available in the Property Records & Taxation office.
- You must complete all the information contained on the Sealed Bid Form (sample).
- Include your check, made payable to Anoka County, for the entire bid amount.
- Seal your Bid Form and check in the official envelope and mail or deliver to the Property Records & Taxation Office.
- Your bid must be received by 4:30 p.m. on the day before the bid opening.
- If you are submitting bids on more than one parcel, each bid must be on a separate bid form, separate checks and in a separate sealed bid envelope.
- Failure to follow these instructions may result in the rejection of your bid.
- Bids will be publicly opened at the Government Center on the day of the sale.
- Successful bidders will be notified by mail. Unsuccessful bidders will also be notified and their checks will be returned.
Online Auctions
The following instructions are for submitting a bid for an online auction. Anoka County uses a third party vendor for online auctions and additional instructions will be provided on the vendor website. Currently, the vendor is Public Surplus.
1. Visit the vendor website to view listings. Carefully review all terms and conditions listed by Anoka County as well as the vendor. To participate in bidding, you will need to register or create an account with the vendor.
2. Your bid is the same as a contract - only bid on land you are serious about buying. A winning bid constitutes a legally binding contract.
3. By submitting a bid, the bidder agrees that the bidder has read, fully understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions of Online Sales, and agrees to pay for, if the bid is accepted, by the dates and times specified.
4. Successful bidders will receive an automated email notification from the vendor. A second email notification will be sent by Anoka County with instructions for the required paperwork and payments.
5. Some vendors may charge a Buyer Premium that will be added to the final sale price.
Post Sale Instructions
All bids must be paid in full in the office of the County Auditor. Installment plans are not available. The successful bidder shall have 10 business days from the date of notification to fulfill payment including the additional costs and fees listed below. Cashier’s checks, Money Orders, certified checks and personal checks made payable to Anoka County are all accepted.
ADDITIONAL COSTS AND FEES EXAMPLE (not included in the Base Sale Price):
The additional costs and fees listed below must be paid in two separate transactions.
Check 1
- Base Sale Price Bid Amount
- State Assurance Fee 3% of the base sale price (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 284.28, Subd. 8)
- State Deed Cost $25.00
Check 2
- Recording Fee $46.00
- Conservation Fee $5.00
- State Deed Tax
- Sales $3,000 or less $1.65
- Sales $3,001 or more 0.0033 x base sale price
TITLE
The successful bidder will receive an Auditor’s Certificate of Purchase for the parcel. The Commissioner of Revenue will issue a deed from the State of Minnesota. 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.
Deeds for unplatted parcels will contain a restrictive covenant which will prohibit enrollment of the land in a state funded program providing compensation for conservation of marginal land or wetlands.