Ashley County, Arkansas Tax Deed Auctions – 2025 Guide for Investors

Ashley County sits in the south‑eastern corner of Arkansas. The county seat is Hamburg and it is bordered by the bayous of the Mississippi delta and the pine forests of the lower Ouachita Mountains. The county’s estimated 2025 population is about 18,090 and the area has a low population density of roughly 20 people per square mile. Timber, paper‑product manufacturing and agriculture (soybeans, rice and cotton) dominate the economy, while major employers include the paper mills in Crossett and transportation companies along U.S. Highway 425.

Brief Overview of Arkansas Tax‑Deed Investing

Arkansas is one of the states that sells tax deeds rather than tax‑lien certificates. When a property owner fails to pay real‑estate taxes for two consecutive years, the county collector certifies the parcel to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands (COSL). After certification the State holds the property and schedules a tax‑delinquent property auction. These auctions are live, open‑outcry sales: bidders compete by raising the price above the delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs. The highest bidder receives a limited warranty deed, subject to a 90‑day litigation period, and then must quiet the title before the property becomes fully marketable. Unlike tax liens, Arkansas tax deeds do not carry an interest rate, and parcels cannot be redeemed after July 1 2023 – the redemption deadline is 4 p.m. the last business day before the sale cosl.org.

Important Details for Ashley County Tax Sales

Category	Information	Source
Tax sale type	Tax deed (limited warranty deed). The winning bidder receives a deed conveying all rights the state had in the property (surface and mineral rights if not previously severed).	Arkansas tax sale rules (COSL Buyers Guide)
Typical sale date	Tax‑delinquent auctions for Ashley County are held once each year between mid‑July and mid‑August. In 2025 the auction was held August 12, 2025 at 10 a.m.cosl.org; the 2024 sale took place on July 23 2024.	COSL public auction catalog & news release
Typical sale time	10 a.m. Central Time (CT) cosl.org. Registration typically opens an hour earlier (about 9 a.m.) .	COSL auction catalog & news release
Registration	Yes. Bidders must register on the day of the auction and present a valid driver’s licence. Registration begins about an hour before the sale. There is no pre‑registration fee. Only U.S. residents may bid (foreign buyers are prohibited).	COSL Buyers Guide; Monticello Live article
Registration period	In 2024 registration opened at 9 a.m. and closed when the sale began at 10 a.m. . For the 2025 sale, registration followed the same schedule.	Monticello Live article
Auction location	The location changes each year based on venue availability. In 2025 the sale for the seven‑county region (Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew and Lincoln) was held at Second Baptist Church, 1032 Old Warren Road, Monticello, AR cosl.org. In 2024 it was at the UA Monticello Fine Arts Center, 371 University Drive, Monticello.	COSL public auction catalog & Monticello Live
Redemption period	No redemption after sale. Owners must redeem by 4 p.m. the last business day before the auction; otherwise the property goes to sale and cannot be redeemed cosl.org.	COSL public auction catalog
Bid procedure	Open out‑cry auction; bidding starts at the minimum bid equal to delinquent taxes, penalties, interest and costs. The highest bid wins. Bidders must pay the full purchase price at the sale using personal or business check, cashier’s check or debit/credit card (cash is not accepted). A limited warranty deed is issued after payment.	COSL Buyers Guide
Deposit / payment terms	Full payment is due immediately following the auction. Credit or debit card payments incur a small processing fee.	COSL Buyers Guide
Contact	Real Estate Division, Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands; phone 501‑324‑9422; email [email protected] (for auction inquiries). Ashley County Collector’s Office: 205 E. Jefferson St., Hamburg, AR 71646 (phone 870‑853‑2050).	COSL website; Ashley County collector page
Where to find updates	COSL’s Public Auction Catalog (cosl.org/Home/Contents) lists the next sale dates, locations and counties and links to parcel lists; the COSL Facebook page also posts announcements.	COSL public auction catalog

Why Ashley County Attracts Tax‑Deed Investors

Ashley County occupies a unique place in Arkansas’s real‑estate landscape. The county has a shrinking yet stable population; the estimated 2025 population is 18,090, down from 21,832 in 2010. Housing stock is modest and many delinquent properties are vacant or abandoned. Average household incomes are about $44,481 with a per‑capita income of $37,445, suggesting low property valuations. This combination of low purchase price and potential resale or rental value makes the county attractive to investors who are willing to quiet title and improve properties.

The area is also rich in natural resources. Arkansas’s timber industry benefits from vast pine and hardwood forests that encircle the state. According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the forests around Little Rock extend north, west and south into regions rich in marketable timber, while the Delta produces hardwood and the Ouachita Mountains to the west have pine on the slopes and hardwood in the valleysencyclopediaofarkansas.net. South Arkansas’s sandy soils and warm climate enable pine to grow quicklyencyclopediaofarkansas.net. This abundance of timber supports sawmills, paper mills and wood‑product manufacturing – all major employers in Ashley County. Agriculture is another pillar; the county produces soybeans, rice, cotton and poultry, while catfish farms line the bayous. These industries sustain demand for housing and land, thereby supporting tax‑deed investors seeking long‑term appreciation.

State/County Features & Fun Facts

• Population & Demographics: Ashley County has a population of 18,090 with 70.02 % white and 24.6 % African‑American residents. The population decline (-0.47 % per year) creates opportunities to acquire vacant properties and re‑develop them.
  
• History of property taxes: Arkansas collects property taxes at the county level. Taxes become delinquent on October 16 following the due date, and parcels are certified to the state after two years of non‑payment. This system traces back to the 19th century when the state needed revenue to rebuild after the Civil War.
  
• Geography: Ashley County straddles the Mississippi Delta and the piney woods of the Lower Ouachita Mountains. It includes the Saline River, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge and numerous bayous. The warm, humid climate and sandy soils encourage fast‑growing yellow pineencyclopediaofarkansas.net.
  
• Notable towns: Crossett (population ~4,400) houses Georgia‑Pacific’s massive paper mill; Hamburg hosts the annual Armadillo Festival and serves as county seat; Portland, Fountain Hill and Wilmar are smaller towns.
  

Attractions & Economic Highlights

• Popular attractions: Visitors enjoy fishing and boating on the Saline River, bird‑watching in the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, and hiking or mountain biking in the Lower Ouachita National Forest. Crossett’s Ziegenhorn Park and Hamburg’s Square Park host community events. Nearby state parks (Cane Creek and Lake Chicot) offer camping, kayaking and interpretive trails.
  
• Transportation: U.S. Highway 425 runs north–south through the county and connects to Interstate 530 toward Little Rock. The Union Pacific railroad serves Crossett’s timber industry. Small general aviation airports are located near Crossett (Z. M. Jack Stell Field) and Monticello.
  
• Economic development: Forestry and paper‑product manufacturing dominate; Georgia‑Pacific’s mill in Crossett employs hundreds of workers. Agriculture (rice, soybeans, cotton and poultry) remains vital. Small manufacturers produce furniture, cabinets and boat trailers, while tourism and hunting provide seasonal income.
  
• Community appeal: Outdoor recreation abounds—hunting and fishing on national wildlife refuges, boating on the Ouachita River, and hiking or cycling in the foothills. Heritage tourism draws visitors to historic homes in Hamburg and the Crossroad Museum in Crossett.
  

Why Arkansas Tax Deeds Make Sense for Investors

High Returns With Manageable Risk

Because Arkansas auctions tax deeds rather than liens, investors acquire title to the property rather than a lien. The minimum bid equals the delinquent taxes and costs, so investors can buy property at fractions of market value. Marketable title requires a court action to quiet title, but once cleared, investors can sell, rent or develop the land. There is no interest rate, but profits stem from appreciation or resale. Investors should factor in the cost of quiet‑title actions, back assessments, potential code‑enforcement liens and any needed repairs.

Auction Process – How It Works

1. Public notice: Parcels are listed in the Public Auction Catalog on cosl.org. The catalog shows sale dates, locations and parcel numbers. Owners and lienholders receive certified notices and must redeem by 4 p.m. the business day before the sale cosl.org.
   
2. Registration: On the morning of the sale, bidders register on‑site, showing photo identification. Registration opens about an hour before the auction and closes when bidding starts.
   
3. Bidding: Each parcel is offered in sale number order. The auctioneer starts at the minimum bid equal to taxes and costs. Bidders raise their cards to bid; the highest bid wins. Only U.S. citizens or residents may bid and former owners may not buy their own parcel.
   
4. Payment: Successful bidders must pay the full purchase price immediately using personal/business check, debit/credit card or cashier’s check. Cash is not accepted. The Commissioner issues a Purchaser Summary at the sale.
   
5. Deed & litigation period: After payment the Commissioner records a limited warranty deed in the county’s land records. A 90‑day litigation period begins during which the sale may be challenged; investors should avoid major improvements until this period ends.
   

Maximum Potential Returns

Arkansas does not pay an interest rate; returns come from acquiring properties at below‑market prices. Many parcels sell for the minimum bid, meaning investors may acquire buildable lots or timber tracts for only a few hundred dollars. However, some desirable properties attract competitive bidding, increasing the purchase price. Profits can be significant if the property is sold or leased after title is cleared.

Open to All Investors

The auctions are open to all U.S. residents aged 18 or older. Non‑U.S. residents may not bid, and former owners and parties with interests at the time of certification are prohibited from bidding. Because Arkansas uses public out‑cry auctions, local and out‑of‑state investors have equal opportunity.

Performing Due Diligence

What Due Diligence Entails

Investors should inspect each parcel before bidding. Use the parcel number from the catalog to locate the property on the county GIS (DataScoutPro.com) or call the county assessor. Check for:

• Physical access: Some parcels lack road frontage or may be landlocked by private property.
  
• Liens and assessments: Research municipal liens, improvement district assessments or federal tax liens that might survive the sale. The Buyers Guide warns that city liens and improvement district taxes often transfer with the property.
  
• Zoning and land‑use restrictions: Verify the parcel’s zoning and any building restrictions.
  
• Condition: Vacant lots may be overgrown or in flood‑prone areas; structures may be dilapidated.
  

Risks of Skipping Due Diligence

Failure to research can result in acquiring unusable or encumbered property. Some parcels may have access issues, environmental contamination or sizable municipal liens. Title must be quieted through the courts before resale; investors who neglect this step may find the property difficult to market. Always budget for attorney fees, title searches and potential demolition or cleanup costs.

Buying Over‑the‑Counter (OTC) Tax Deeds

If a parcel does not sell at the live auction, it is listed in an unsold‑property auction 30 days later. These auctions take place online at auction.cosl.org. Bidders must register, verify their identity and place bids. The first $100 of the winning bid is charged to the bidder’s credit card immediately; the remaining balance must be paid within 10 business days. Properties purchased OTC often have lower competition and may include timber tracts, rural lots or blighted urban parcels.

Benefits of OTC Purchases

• Fixed minimum bid: The COSL sets the reserve bid equal to taxes owed (and may reduce it after two years), so investors know the exact purchase price.
  
• No bidding frenzy: Online auctions allow investors to place maximum bids and avoid the intensity of live auctions.
  
• Additional due diligence time: Since the property has already been exposed at auction, investors have extra time to investigate.
  

Pro Tips for Ashley County Tax‑Deed Investors

• Attend the regional sale early: Arrive before 9 a.m. to register and ask questions. Seating is first‑come, first‑served.
  
• Bring multiple payment options: Personal and business checks are accepted; credit cards incur processing fees and cash is not accepted.
  
• Check current year taxes: Winning bidders become responsible for current‑year taxes not yet due.
  
• Quiet the title promptly: Hire a local attorney to quiet title within the 90‑day litigation period.
  
• Inspect physical access: Many rural parcels are landlocked or accessible only by dirt roads.
  
• Watch for homesteads: Parcels claimed as homesteads require service of process on owners; bidding may be postponed or cancelled.
  
• Network locally: Local real‑estate agents and investors know neighborhoods and can help evaluate potential resale value.
  

FAQs

Q: When are Ashley County tax sales held?
A: They are typically held once a year in mid‑summer. The 2025 auction took place on August 12 2025 at 10 a.m. cosl.org and the 2024 sale occurred on July 23 2024].

Q: Do I need to register before bidding?
A: Yes. Registration is required and usually opens at 9 a.m. on the day of the sale. Bring your driver’s license. Only U.S. residents aged 18 + may bid.

Q: What is the redemption period?
A: Owners must redeem before 4 p.m. the business day before the sale; parcels sold after July 1 2023 cannot be redeemed cosl.org.

Q: Can I purchase tax liens instead of deeds?
A: No. Arkansas sells tax deeds. The winning bidder obtains title (subject to quiet‑title litigation) instead of a lien.

Q: How long before I receive my deed?
A: The Commissioner records a limited warranty deed shortly after payment. Allow several weeks for recording and mailing. A 90‑day litigation period follows before the deed is considered final.

Q: Where can I find the list of parcels?
A: Visit the Public Auction Catalog on cosl.org. It lists sale dates, locations and parcel numbers. Clicking a parcel number links to county property records via DataScoutPro.

Useful Links

• Ashley County Website 
• State of Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands
• Arkansas offers a wealth of opportunities with Tax Deed Investing
• Let’s talk about Tax Deeds and how you can profit from them!
• Discover Tax Deeds and how you can find property for as little as $50! 

Call to Action

Ashley County has tax-sale auctions listed right now. Visit our Auction Calendar to explore the listings. Don’t forget to check out our free resources to build your knowledge, and when you’re ready, Book a free call to speak with someone who can help you navigate the path.

Interested in Faulkner County investing? Check out our Auction Calendar to find your next property. Book a free call or access our free resources to start building your tax deed strategy today.

Sign up or log in to view the full content.