What You Need to Know About Boone County Arkansas Tax Deed Sales

Boone County is in the Ozark Mountains in northern Arkansas. It has beautiful valleys and hills, and a town called Harrison that has a lot of history. This county is a great place for outdoor fun, like going to the Buffalo National River, where you can enjoy activities by the water..

What is Boone County’s Tax Sale

Boone County has a process for selling land when people don’t pay their property taxes. When taxes are not paid, the land goes to a special person called the Commissioner of State Lands, and then it can be sold at an auction. At a live auction, people who want to buy the land have to show up in person and bring a good ID so they can take part. They need to pay for the land on the same day of the auction. If no one buys the land at the auction, it will later be sold online.

Important details for Boone County tax sales

The Commissioner’s Public Auction Catalog lists detailed information about each county’s sale. Below is an overview of key facts for Boone County’s event and general rules.

Item	Details
Tax Sale Type	Tax Deed – buyer receives a limited warranty deed
Typical Sale Date	Once a year, July–October at 10:00 AM CT
Auction Time	10:00 AM CT
Registration	Required. Opens 30 mins before auction. No fee. Must show driver’s license and complete registration card
Registration Period	Closes once bidding starts. Online sales require account setup + ID verification
Location	Varies yearly. Example: Signature Bank Community Room, 303 N Main St, Harrison (near courthouse)
Redemption	Allowed until 4 PM the day before auction. No redemption after sale
Minimum Bid / Deposit	Minimum = taxes, penalties, interest, costs. No deposit for live sales. Online: $100 deposit, balance due in 10 business days
Bidding	Oral, catalog order. Auctioneer starts at minimum. Highest bid wins. Full payment due immediately by check, money order, cashier’s check, or card (fee applies)
Terms of Sale	Limited warranty deed. Title insurance may require quiet title. 90-day litigation period applies
Contact	COSL Real Estate Division: 501-324-9422, [email protected]. Boone County Collector for local info

Why Boone County is ideal for tax‑deed investors

Boone County combines scenic beauty with accessible real estate prices. Many parcels offered at tax sale are rural lots or acreage, which can be purchased for a fraction of their market value. The county’s moderate population and growing tourism industry support long‑term appreciation. Some investors buy lots near the Buffalo River for recreational or vacation‑rental purposes; others acquire residential lots in Harrison or surrounding communities. Because Arkansas issues tax deeds rather than liens, buyers obtain ownership (subject to liens or encumbrances) and can eventually use or sell the property.

High returns with manageable risk

Investors often target Arkansas tax sales because the minimum bid equals the delinquent taxes and fees. Many parcels sell near this amount, providing a chance to acquire property at a steep discount. Compared with tax‑lien states where investors receive interest payments but not ownership, Arkansas offers the potential for larger gains if the property’s market value is substantially higher than the taxes owed. The risk is also higher because buyers assume responsibility for clearing title and paying any surviving liens or assessments. Following due diligence and paying to quiet the title, investors can resell or develop the property, sometimes realizing returns well above their initial investment.

Auction process for Boone County tax‑deed sales

 1. Certification & Pre-Sale Notice:

If someone doesn’t pay their property taxes for two years, their land is called delinquent. The county collector gets a list of these lands. They share this list in local papers and send letters to the owners. Owners can get their land back by paying all overdue taxes and fees. They have to do this by 4 p.m. on the last business day before the auction.

2. Registration:

On auction day, people who want to bid need to be there and sign up. Registration starts 30 minutes before it begins. Bring your driver’s license with you. It is free to register, and you don’t have to pay anything before the live auction. If you want to bid online, create an account on a special website and make sure they confirm who you are.

3. Bidding:

During the auction, the auctioneer will show each parcel one by one. Bidding begins at a low price. This price includes unpaid taxes and fees. People raise their paddles to bid higher amounts. When the auctioneer says “sold,” the highest bidder buys the parcel. If a parcel doesn’t sell right away online, people can keep bidding for 30 days. After that time, the highest bid wins.

4. Payment:

If you win the bid, you need to pay right away. You can pay with a personal or business check, cashier’s check, money order, or a credit/debit card (but there is a small extra fee). Cash can’t be used. For online auctions, the remaining amount (after paying a $100 deposit) should be paid within 10 business days.

5. Limited Warranty Deed & Litigation Period:

After you pay, the county records a special document that shows you now own the property. There is a 90-day period where the previous owner or other interested people can challenge or argue against the sale. After this time is over, you can take steps to fully claim your ownership of the property.

Maximum potential returns

In Arkansas, instead of selling something called a lien, they sell tax deeds. This means the interest rates can change and aren’t the same for everyone. When someone buys a piece of land, how much money they might make later depends on the price they paid for it and how much the land is worth once they take care of it.

For example, some pieces of land have sold for less than $1,000, but similar pieces in the area could cost between $5,000 and $10,000. If a person buys a piece of land, makes it nice, and then sells it for a higher price, they can make a good profit.

Open to all (U.S.) investors

Arkansas allows people from the U.S. and those who live here legally to buy land at tax sales. However, people from other countries can’t buy land there. You don’t have to live in Arkansas to bid; many buyers come from other states looking for cheap land. 

If you want to join a live auction, you need to be there in person or have someone with permission to bid for you. There are also online auctions, but you still have to pay using U.S. money.

Understanding the tax‑sale process step‑by‑step

1. Research Properties – Look at the auction catalog to find land you might want to buy. You can click on a link to see maps and information about the land’s price.

2. Do Your Homework – Know where the land is by checking maps. Try to visit the place if you can. Look for any issues, like unpaid taxes or fees. Talk to local county offices for more info. Remember, money spent to check these things won’t come back.

3. Check Zoning and Access – Find out if the land has a legal way to get to it, and if it is in a safe area. Make sure it’s okay to build on it or if there are any rules that could stop you.

4. Plan for Extra Costs – After you buy the land, you’ll need to pay for taxes, any leftover debts, or necessary actions to clear the title. Sometimes, you can’t get title insurance until you fix these problems.

5. Join the Auction or Bid Online – Make sure to have your ID and money ready if you go to the auction. If you bid online, you need to prove who you are and place your bids carefully.

6. Keep or Sell the Property – Once you own the land and everything is cleared up, decide whether you want to build on it, rent it out, or sell it. If you plan to keep it for a long time, think about getting help to manage it.

Risks of skipping due diligence

Hidden Bills: Sometimes, when you buy a piece of land, there are extra bills that come with it, like taxes from the city or fees for neighborhood associations. If you buy the land, you have to pay these extra bills.

Getting to the Land: Some pieces of land might be tricky to reach or could even be underwater. The city doesn’t promise that you can easily get to the land or that it’s in good shape.

Pollution Problems: In some country areas, there might be trash or messes on the land that could be harmful. It’s smart to check the land first or look for reports to make sure it’s safe.

 Money and Time to Prove Ownership: If you want to be sure you really own the property, you might need to spend money on a lawyer and pay court fees. If you don’t do this, it could be hard to sell the land or borrow money to buy it.

Buying over‑the‑counter (OTC) liens/deeds in Boone County

When some properties don’t sell in a live auction, they go on a special list called the Unsold-Property Auction list 30 days after the auction ends. You can only buy these properties using the COSL’s online auction website. Here’s how it works:

1. Online Listing: After someone places the first bid, that property stays open for 30 days. Other people can place their bids during that time, and at the end, the highest bid wins.

2. Earnest Money: If you win the auction, a $100 deposit (or the full price if it’s less than $100) will be taken from your card. You need to pay the rest of the money in 10 business days using a special payment method.
3.  Reserve Bid Amounts: For the first two years, the starting price (reserve bid) is equal to the unpaid taxes and fees on the property. After that, the Commissioner can lower this price to help sell the property. If you buy a property, you will still get a special deed showing you own it.

OTC purchases allow investors to acquire property without the competition of a live auction. However, due diligence remains essential.

Why invest in Boone County?

Boone County’s scenic environment, modest population growth and tourism‑driven economy make it an attractive location for investors seeking recreational or residential property. Land near the Buffalo National River appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and could be developed for cabins or campgrounds. Harrison offers a stable housing market with affordable prices compared with larger cities. Purchasing tax‑deed property here may provide long‑term appreciation and potential rental income.

Conclusion

Boone County, Arkansas, is a place where people can buy land or homes for much less money than what they usually cost. This happens at special events called tax-deed auctions. To be ready for these events, you should do a little homework: look up information about the property, make sure there aren’t too many bills or rules that could be a problem, and have your money ready to pay. 

The next auction will happen on September 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Signature Bank Community Room in Harrison. It’s important to know that once you buy a property in these auctions, you can’t return it or change your mind. So, only bid on properties that you really understand. If you are careful, buying properties this way can be a good way to make money and add some interesting places to own!

Pro tips for bidders

1. Look at the COSL catalog early. Check the list of properties a few weeks before to find ones you like. Use the DataScout links to see maps and info about the properties.

2. Visit the property. Going to see the property in person can help you find any problems, like how to get there or what the area is like.

3. Check for liens and taxes. Talk to the county office to find out if there are any unpaid bills on the property that might still need to be paid.

4. Plan for legal fees. Think about how much money you might need to spend on lawyers when deciding if the property is a good deal.

5. Bring the right payment. You can use personal or business checks and credit cards, but not cash. If you use a card, there might be an extra fee.

6. Get there early. Registration starts 30 minutes before the sale, and there might not be enough seats for everyone.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Useful link

• Boone 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! 

Need a hand?

Boone County’s tax-sale auctions are worth a closer look. Check the Auction Calendar to see what’s scheduled. Browse our free resources to better understand the process, and if you want personalized help, Book a free call with one of our experts is just a click away.

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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