Clay County Tax Sale Information

Clay County will accept sealed bids for its Trustee Tax Deed Sale until October 3, 2025. Submit online at the official bid portal or hand‑deliver a sealed envelope to the Treasurer at the courthouse during office hours. 

Key Auction Details:

Date: October 3, 2025 (last day to bid) for Real Estate and Mobile Home Sealed Bid sale.
Location: Clay County Treasurer, Clay County Courthouse, 111 Chestnut St, Louisville, IL 62858.
Time: Hand‑deliver sealed bids Mon–Fri, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CT (deliver before close of business on the last day to bid).
Auction Type: Sealed Bid for Real Estate and Mobile Homes (no live verbal bidding).
Minimum Bid: Real Estate: $844. Mobile Homes: $915.

Terms of Sale:

You may submit bids online or deliver a sealed written bid; the county does not allow verbal bidding.

Sealed written Real Estate bids: include full payment by personal check, cashier’s check, money order, or bank draft. If another bidder beats your bid, the County returns your original payment.

Sealed written Mobile Home bids: include full payment with certified funds only (cashier’s check, money order, or bank draft).

The highest bid wins. If a tie occurs at the top, the tax agent will contact you with next‑step instructions.

You buy “as‑is.” Investigate code issues, demolitions, permits, occupancy, and liens before you bid.

The County issues a quitclaim deed to the successful Real Estate purchaser about 90 days after it receives full payment.

You pay future taxes that accrue starting January 1, 2026.

Do not enter or alter any property until the deed records.

County officers, employees, and their relatives cannot bid under Illinois law.

The County may reject any bid and may withdraw any parcel without notice.

Mobile Home–specific Rules (if you bid on a mobile home):

Verify the VIN within 30 days of the sale and follow the Tax Certificate of Title process.

If the home sits in a manufactured home community, you apply for tenancy or remove the home within 30 days of title issuance. Land does not convey.

The office does not mail a Tax Certificate of Title to out‑of‑state addresses or to a P.O. Box.

How to Participate:

Option 1 — Online Bid (recommended for speed)

Create or log in to an account at the official portal. 2) Open the Clay County sale, select your item, and enter your highest bid (at or above the minimum). 3) Agree to the terms and submit. If you win, the auction team emails payment instructions; submit full payment promptly to keep your win in good standing. Many county catalogs state a 7‑day payment window for online winners 

Option 2 — Sealed Written Bid (hand‑deliver or mail)

Get the catalog and the Binding Purchase Contract / Sealed Bid form. 2) Fill in the Item #, Parcel #, Bid, Date, Purchaser info, and sign. 3) Include full payment in the correct form (see “Terms”). 4) Place the bid and payment in a sealed envelope labeled “SEALED BID” with the Item # on the outside. 5) Hand‑deliver to the Treasurer at the courthouse during office hours, or mail early enough to arrive by the last day to bid.

Practical Tips:

Inspect each parcel from the street and call local authorities about code enforcement or demolition orders.

Search the recorder and court records for liens and violations. Title from this sale does not come with warranties. Consider a title exam after you win.

Missed properties often reappear as Open Bids at the minimum; watch the auction pages after results post.

Here are some links you might need for the Clay County, Illinois, Tax Deed Auction:

• Clay County Tax Sale Information Link 
• Clay County Treasurer’s Office
• Clay County In-Person Auction Site
• How to Profit from Illinois’s Tax Lien Sales
• Learn How Does Tax Lien Investing Work
• Want to get started with Tax Liens? Click Here!
• Is Illinois the best place to profit from tax lien certificates?

You can chase entry‑level opening amounts, choose between online or in‑person sealed submission, and target parcels that the County’s trustee program already deeded to the County. When you win and complete payment, the County issues a quitclaim deed and you take responsibility for future taxes and any rehab or compliance work. Register early, read the catalog, and send in a complete, accurate bid to avoid disqualification. 

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