Hempstead County, Arkansas Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know

Introduction

Hempstead County, Arkansas, is a place where history, culture, and opportunity come together.Known for its small-town charm and strong agricultural roots, it has also become a focus for real estate investors interested in Arkansas tax deed sales. The county seat is Hope, and it is well known for being the birthplace of a former U.S. President Bill Clinton and for producing some of the world’s largest watermelons. The mix of history, affordable land, and strong community ties makes it a unique market worth exploring.

Brief Overview of Hempstead County’s Tax Sale

Hempstead County’s delinquent tax properties are certified to the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, which manages the public auctions. Sales are typically held between July and October, with the 2025 auction for Hempstead scheduled on July 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. CST at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Texarkanahopeprescott.com. Registration begins an hour before the auction. Arkansas is a tax deed state, meaning that successful bidders receive a limited warranty deed to the property rather than a lien certificate. Importantly, the redemption deadline ends at 4 p.m. the last business day before the sale—after that, all sales are final

nty Tax Sales

Item	Key Information
Tax Sale Type	Tax deed – ownership sold, not liens. Buyer gets limited-warranty deed
Sale Date (2025)	July 29, 2025 – 10:00 AM CT (regional with Lafayette, Little River & Miller)
Auction Time	10:00 AM CT (registration at 9:00 AM)
Registration	Required. Show government-issued ID, get bid card. Free.
Venue (2025)	Holiday Inn Convention Center – Ballroom C, 500 Convention Plaza Dr., Texarkana (venues vary yearly)
Redemption	Allowed until 4 PM prior business day. None after sale. Unsold parcels remain redeemable until sold
Bidding	Starts at taxes/fees owed. Auctioneer calls parcels in order; highest bid wins.
Payment	Live: full payment due immediately (check, cashier’s check, money order, card – no cash). Online: $100 deposit charged, balance due in 10 days.
Litigation	90-day period for challenges after deed issued. Buyers usually wait before improving/reselling.
Contact	COSL: 501-324-9422 • [email protected]

Fun Facts About Arkansas and Hempstead County

• Population & Demographics: Arkansas has about 3.1 million residents and a diverse economy spanning agriculture, retail, and logistics. Hempstead County’s population declined to 19,778 in 2023. The racial makeup is roughly 52% White, 28% Black, and about 15% Hispanic or Latino.
  
• Agriculture powerhouse: Arkansas agriculture contributes $21 billion in economic value and supports at least 268,000 jobs About 42% of the state’s land – roughly 14 million acres – is farmland, and Arkansas leads the nation in rice production.
  
• Home of a President: Hope is the birthplace of former President Bill Clinton. The President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site is a popular attraction.
  
• Watermelon heritage: The town hosts the Hope Watermelon Festival, a tradition since 1926, celebrating record‑breaking melons.
  
• Audio innovation: Hope resident Paul Klipsch, an audio pioneer, refined his famous Klipschorn loudspeaker here. The town houses the Klipsch Museum of Audio History.
  

Attractions and Economic Highlights

Popular Attractions

• President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site – a two‑story white house where President Clinton lived as a child. Guided tours offer insight into his early years.
  
• Hope Visitor Center & Museum – housed in a restored Missouri‑Pacific Railroad depot, it features local history exhibits and railroad memorabilia. It also serves as an Amtrak station for those arriving by rail.
  
• Hope Watermelon Festival (August) – visitors enjoy watermelon‑eating contests, concerts and crafts, continuing a tradition that began in 1926.
  
• Klipsch Museum of Audio History – showcases audio pioneer Paul Klipsch’s contributions and early loudspeaker designs.
  
• Historic Washington State Park – a few miles from Hope, this restoration village preserves the nineteenth‑century town of Washington, Arkansas’s former capital during the Civil War. The 1874 Courthouse serves as the visitor centre and the park features a blacksmith shop, print museum and walking tours.
  

Transportation Infrastructure

Properties are well connected for inspection by investors in Hempstead County.. Major routes include Interstate 30, U.S. Highways 67, 278 and 371, and state highways 4, 27, 29 and 32. Hope also has a municipal airport and an Amtrak station at the visitor centre, making travel convenient.

Economic Development

Hope began as a station on the Cairo & Fulton Railroad in 1852 and grew into a shipping centre for timber and agricultural products. The county’s economy now includes poultry processing, bakery goods and the manufacture of steel joists, auto parts, audio equipment and molded plastics. Farming remains vital, with poultry, cattle and timber providing jobs. A community college affiliated with the University of Arkansas offers workforce training. This combination of agriculture and light manufacturing creates steady demand for land and housing, making tax deed properties attractive to investors.

Community Appeal

Residents enjoy outdoor recreation such as fishing, hunting and golf at local courses. The area’s mild climate allows year‑round activities. Eco‑tourism opportunities include hiking in Historic Washington State Park and bird‑watching along the Red River. Local theatres and music venues support a small arts scene, and the county’s history draws heritage tourists.

Why Hempstead County Is Ideal for Tax Deed Investors

Economic and Market Factors

Hempstead County’s housing is affordable – the median property value in 2023 was $100,200and the homeownership rate was 69.6%. The median household income rose to $47,654 in 2023 reflecting economic stability. With major highways and rail access, the area appeals to industries requiring distribution links. The combination of low property values, a diverse economy and accessible transportation makes the county attractive for investors seeking long‑term appreciation or rental income.

High Returns with Manageable Risk

Arkansas tax deed auctions offer potentially high returns because investors gain ownership rights to property rather than a lien. Properties often sell for 10–20 cents on the dollar relative to market value, according to investor guides, but the key advantage is the ability to obtain a deed quickly when taxes remain unpaid. Investors should consider these benefits:

• Low entry cost: Minimum bids equal the delinquent taxes and fees.
  
• No redemption after sale: Once the auction closes, owners lose the right to redeem the property, so investors do not have to wait for a long redemption period.
  
• Limited warranty deed: Investors receive deed rights relatively quickly, allowing them to sell or hold the property after the 90‑day litigation period.
  
• Potential for steady demand: Local manufacturing and agriculture generate housing needs for workers.
  

Auction Process in Simple Terms

How Live Auctions Work

1. Check the public auction catalog on the COSL website and note the date, time and location for Hempstead County.
   
2. Register at the venue (bring government‑issued ID). Registration opens around 9 AM.
   
3. Obtain a bid card and attend the sale. Parcels are called in sale number order, and the minimum bid (taxes, penalties, and costs) is announced by the auctioneer.
   
4. Raise your card to bid higher amounts. If you win, sign the bid sheet and pay the entire purchase price immediately via check, money order or card; cash is not accepted.
   
5. Receive a purchaser summary as proof of payment; the COSL will record and mail the limited warranty deed.
   

Online Post‑Auction Sales

1. Create an account at the COSL auction site and complete identity verification. Provide a valid credit/debit card.
   
2. Browse unsold parcels thirty days after the live auction. You can search by county or view a map.
   
3. Place bids online. When the auction closes (30 days after the first bid), the highest bidder wins. The first $100 of each winning bid is automatically charged, and the remainder must be paid by certified funds within 10 business days.
4. Receive your deed after payment and the 90‑day litigation period.
   

Maximum Potential Returns

Investors sometimes acquire properties for far below market value, especially if parcels have little competition. However, profits depend on the property’s condition, location and market demand. High returns often come from renovating and selling or holding the property for rental income. Because Arkansas has no redemption period after the sale, investors can move quickly to secure title and market the property.

Open to All Investors

Arkansas welcomes both local and out‑of‑state investors. The only restrictions are that bidders must be U.S. residents and cannot be the former owner or an entity outside the United States. Online auctions make it easy for remote investors to participate, and the minimal registration requirements encourage broad participation.

Understanding the Sale Process and Due Diligence

What Due Diligence Entails

• Property inspection: Drive by or hire someone to verify the property’s condition. Do not rely solely on online photos.
  
• Title research: Check county records for mortgages, liens or judgments. Some liens (improvement district taxes, city liens, IRS liens) may survive the sale.
  
• Assess market value: Compare sale prices with comparable homes and consider potential repair costs.
  
• Understand zoning and access: Ensure the parcel has legal access and is suitable for your intended use.
  

Risks of Skipping Due Diligence

Failure to research properties may lead to buying landlocked parcels, properties with hazardous conditions or homes encumbered by costly liens. Since the state provides only a limited warranty deed and sells parcels “as is,” investors are responsible for all issues after purchase.

Buying Over‑the‑Counter (OTC) Deeds

If a parcel does not sell at auction, it becomes available for purchase on the COSL website thirty days after the live sale. Benefits of OTC purchases include:

• No bidding competition: The price is set by the state; you simply accept or decline.
  
• Fixed cost: The purchase price is the amount of delinquent taxes and fees.
  
• Flexible research time: You can analyze properties and decide without the pressure of a live auction.
  

To buy OTC deeds, search the unsold property list on the COSL site, bid online and follow the same payment procedures described above.

Why Hempstead County Is a Top Choice for Tax‑Deed Investors

Hempstead County’s combination of low property prices, diverse economy and historic appeal make it a compelling choice. Major highways and the Amtrak stop ensure good transportation links, and the presence of manufacturing and poultry processing creates steady demand for affordable housing. The county’s unique attractions – from the President Clinton Birthplace to the Watermelon Festival and Historic Washington State Park – add tourism potential, while farmland and timber provide additional value.

Conclusion

Hempstead County offers tax deed investors a chance to acquire property in a region with rich history and diverse economic drivers. Auctions typically occur in July or August, with registration at 9 AM and bidding starting at 10 AM CST cosl.org. Bids begin at the amount of taxes owed, and payment is due immediately, with no cash accepted. The redemption deadline is 4 PM the day before the sale; afterwards, all sales are final. A 90‑day litigation period follows before the deed is fully secure. Investors must perform due diligence—inspecting properties, checking titles and understanding local demand—to mitigate risk.

Pro Tips

• Attend regional auctions early: registration lines can be long; arriving early ensures you hear important announcements.
  
• Bring multiple payment methods: if one card fails, you have a backup to avoid losing a winning bid.
  
• Research with local experts: contact local realtors, surveyors or title companies for property insights.
  
• Budget for current taxes: winning bids do not include the current year’s taxes; those must be paid by October 15.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When are Hempstead County tax sales held?
They are usually held once a year, between July and October. The 2025 sale for Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River and Miller counties is on 29 July 2025 at 10 AM CST Where can I find the list of properties?
The Public Auction Catalog on the COSL website lists parcels by county and sale number. Unsold properties are listed in the online post‑auction catalog.

Is there a redemption period after the auction?
No. Owners must redeem by 4 PM CT on the last business day before the sale After the auction, the sale is final and a 90‑day litigation period begins.

What forms of payment are accepted?
Personal or business checks, cashier’s checks, money orders and credit/debit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Do I have to be a local resident to bid?
No. Anyone with a U.S. address and valid ID may bid. Foreign bidders are not allowed.

Useful Links

• Hempstead 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

Cannon 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.

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