Bastrop County Tax Sale Opportunities: What You Need to Know

Investing in tax liens or redeemable tax deeds can be a good way to make some money while helping towns collect unpaid property taxes. Bastrop County in Texas holds tax sales a few times each year. Knowing how these auctions work can help you decide if you want to join in. This article covers the basics, answers common questions, and explains why Bastrop County is a great place for real estate investors.

Overview of Bastrop County’s Tax Sale System

Texas sells homes for unpaid property taxes. If someone does not pay their taxes, the county takes back the property and sells it at an auction. The person who bids the most cash gets the property. However, the original owner can still get their property back. 

In Texas, buying a property means you own it right away, unlike in some other places. The previous owner has the option to reclaim their property by paying you back. If they do so in the first year, you also receive 25% more. However, if they take two years to regain it, your return increases to 50% more.

Important Details at a Glance

Bastrop County’s Unique Features for Tax‑Deed Investing

Texas has a way to deal with unpaid property taxes called a redeemable tax deed. If someone doesn’t pay their taxes, the county takes their property and sells it at a public auction. The person who bids the highest gets the property, but the former owner can still get it back. This is different from other places where you buy a tax lien and wait to earn interest. In Texas, when you buy the property, you get the title right away. If the previous owner doesn’t pay up and get their property back, you own it completely. If they do, you get your money back plus a little extra – 25% more if they pay in the first year, and 50% more if they pay in the second year.

Why Bastrop County Tax Deeds Offer Opportunity

High Returns with Managed Risk

As a redeemable deed state, Texas offers investors the potential to earn a 25 % premium if the owner redeems within the first year and 50 % if redeemed in the second year. This premium is not pro‑rated; even a redemption after just a few months yields the full 25 %. In contrast, tax‑lien states often provide interest rates between 12–18 % that are prorated. Investors thus face a binary outcome: either collect a sizeable fixed return or acquire property at a price often well below market value.

Auction Process for Bastrop County

When are tax sales held? Auctions take place on the first Tuesday of March, June, August and November. On November 4 2025 the next sale is scheduled. Sales begin at 10:00 AM Central Time on the courthouse steps. Registration opens at 9:00 AM on sale day in Room 115; bring a driver’s license or government ID. There is no fee to register.

How does the bidding work? The auctioneer announces each property and the minimum bid, which equals the delinquent taxes, penalties and court costs. Bids are placed orally. Payment must be made immediately after winning the bid and no later than about two hours after the sale ends. Acceptable payments include cash, cashier’s check or money order; personal checks or credit cards are not accepted. If you fail to pay, you may be liable for 20 % of the value of the property plus costs.

Maximum Potential Returns

Should the former owner redeem the property, they must pay your purchase price plus the recording fee, taxes paid, costs, and a premium of 25 % in the first year or 50 % in the second year. For non‑homestead properties the redemption period is only 180 days, and the premium is limited to 25 %. Because the premium is fixed and not pro‑rated, the annualized return can be substantial if redemption occurs early in the period.

Open to All Investors

Texas law does not restrict participation to county residents. Any adult with valid identification may register, and investors may bid on behalf of a corporation or another person if they provide notarized authorization. This openness attracts investors from across the U.S. and even international buyers seeking exposure to the growing Texas real‑estate market.

Understanding the Bastrop County Tax Sale Process

1. Preparation: About 2–3 weeks before each sale, MVBA posts a list of properties on its website. You should research each property thoroughly—checking the address, viewing it from the street, and investigating any liens or restrictions. Remember that the property is sold “as‑is,” and the sheriff’s deed does not include any warranty.
   
2. Registration: Arrive at the historic courthouse between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM on the sale day and register in Room 115. Bring a government‑issued ID. There is no registration fee.
   
3. Bidding: Listen as the auctioneer reads the legal description and minimum bid. Bidding is oral, and the property goes to the highest bidder who can pay immediately. The minimum bid includes delinquent taxes, penalties and court costs but does not cover the current year’s taxes, which become your responsibility.
   
4. Payment: If you win, go to Room 115 and deliver payment (cash, cashier’s check or money order) made payable to the tax assessor. You have roughly two hours to produce funds. Fail to pay and you may owe 20 % of the property’s value.
   
5. After the Sale: The sheriff’s deed is filed and you gain possession after 20 days. The former owner may redeem within 180 days or two years, depending on the property type. If redemption occurs, the owner must reimburse you plus the premium. If not, you own the property outrig.
   

Due Diligence: Essential Steps for Investors

Property Inspection: Visit the property from the street. The bid sheet may list an address, but it is not guaranteed accurate. Confirm the legal description at the county clerk’s office and check for improvements or structures.

Title Search: Tax deeds convey without warranty, and title insurance may be difficult to obtain. Research any liens (e.g., IRS, municipal, HOA) that may survive the sale.

Cost Estimation: Understand the total cost of acquisition, including current year taxes, possible HOA dues, maintenance or code violation liens, and the cost of securing the property. Over‑improving the property before the redemption period ends is risky, as the former owner can redeem and you may not recover your expenses.

Legal Consultation: Consider consulting an attorney or title company familiar with Texas tax deeds. They can help evaluate risk and advise on bidding strategy.

Over‑the‑Counter (OTC) Purchases

Texas has a special way to handle unpaid property taxes. When someone doesn’t pay, the county can take the property and sell it in an auction. The highest bidder pays cash and gets a deed. This means they own the property, but the former owner has a chance to buy it back. 

If the old owner pays to get their property back, the new owner gets their money back plus a little extra. This extra is 25% if they pay in the first year and 50% if they wait until the second year.

Pro Tips

• Arrive early to register and find a good viewing spot. Bring multiple cashier’s checks in different denominations to make payment easier.
  
• Research property thoroughly—check the appraisal district, GIS maps and court records. Some parcels are landlocked or have environmental issues.
  
• Budget for holding costs. Even if you intend to flip the property quickly, you may need to pay insurance, maintenance, or code‑compliance fees.
  
• Consider over‑the‑counter deals. Trust properties can be purchased without bidding, often for less than market value.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Useful Links

• Auction Calendar
• How to Profit from Texas’s Redeemable Deeds
• Let’s talk about redeemable tax deeds and how you can profit from them!
• Discover Tax Deeds and how you can find property for as little as $50! 
• Learn How to maximize profits at the Texas Tax Sales

Conclusion

In Texas, you can buy property at a public auction if the owner doesn’t pay their taxes. The highest bidder gets the property right away. The original owner can get their property back by paying the owed taxes. If they do pay, you get your money back plus a reward: 25% extra if they redeem in the first year and 50% in the second year.

Need A Hand

Looking at Lewis County for your next investment? Our Auction Calendar has what you need. Browse tax-sale listings, read through our free resources to gain clarity, and Book a call with our expert team when you’re ready to talk strategy or get personalized help.

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About Dustin Hahn

Dustin Hahn is a Tax Lien & Deed investor with over 22 years of experience and hundreds of deals under his belt. He created Tax Lien School.com to help you buy Tax Deeds up to 90% off mortgage free and earn up to 36% ROI with Tax Liens. This site was voted the “Most Useful Resource” for new investors. Dustin’s YouTube Channel is the #1 Channel on Tax Liens & Deeds with over 98,000 Subscribers and 3600 videos to help you start. “The Best Time To Start Real Estate Investing Was 20 Years Ago, The Second Best Time Is TODAY!”

20+yrs

5–10deals/mo

2009TLS founded