Johnson County, Arkansas Tax Deed Auction 2025 – Dates, Rules & Investor Guide

Johnson County, Arkansas, is a nice place by the Arkansas River and close to the Ozark Mountains. It has pretty nature and friendly people. In this county, there are special events called tax deed auctions. At these auctions, people can buy land for lower prices, sometimes much cheaper than usual. The state of Arkansas runs these auctions. It’s a great chance for people who want to buy land and invest in real estate.

Brief Overview of Johnson County’s Tax Sale

Every summer, Johnson County joins a special program in Arkansas to sell pieces of land that have unpaid taxes. This sale usually happens from July to October. The next auction for Johnson County will be on August 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hughes Community Center in Russellville. People can sign up to bid about 30 minutes before the auction starts. The land is sold to the person who offers the most money, and the starting price is based on the unpaid taxes and extra costs. Since July 2023, once a piece of land is sold, it cannot be returned, which means the sale is final. Buyers get a paper called a Limited Warranty Deed, but they might need to do a few more things to prove that the land belongs to them.

Important details for the 2025 Johnson County tax sale

Item	Details
Tax Sale Type	Tax deed – buyer gets limited-warranty deed; no lien or interest
Sale Date	(mid-August; dates posted each May)
Auction Time	10:00 AM CST (registration 9–10 AM)
Registration	Required on-site. Show ID, complete card, get bidder number
Location	Hughes Community Center, 1000 E Parkway Dr, Russellville, AR (venue may change every Year)
Redemption	None after sale. Owners must redeem by 4 PM day before
Bidding	Open outcry, parcels in order. Starts at delinquent taxes + fees. Highest bid wins
Deposit/Payment	No deposit live. Full payment due at sale (check, money order, card – no cash). Online sales: $100 deposit, balance in 10 days
Terms	Sold as-is. Limited-warranty deed, 90-day litigation period. Only U.S. residents may bid; prior owners excluded
Updates	COSL auction calendar, news releases, social media. Unsold parcels online 30 days after sale
Contact	COSL: 501-324-9422, [email protected]

Fun facts about Arkansas and Johnson County

Arkansas is a state where about 3.11 million people live. This means there are about 58 people for every square mile of land. In Johnson County, which is part of Arkansas, there are 25,749 people, so there are about 39 people for each square mile. The average family in Johnson County makes about $38,511 a year, and each person makes about $21,010 a year.

**Economy:** In Arkansas, people do different types of jobs like farming, selling things, and moving stuff around. In Johnson County, a long time ago, people used to grow coal and peaches. Now, they work with trees, raise chickens, and have small factories.

**Geography:** Northern Johnson County is in a hilly area called the Boston Mountains, part of the Ozarks. The southern part is in the Arkansas River Valley, which has good land for farming and the Arkansas River nearby. Five small creeks run through the county: Horsehead, Little Piney, Mulberry, Spadra, and Big Piney.

**Education:** In Clarksville, there is a school called the University of the Ozarks. It is a private college that teaches many different subjects and started in 1834.

**Recreation:** People in the county can enjoy hiking and see waterfalls. Pam’s Grotto near Haw Creek Campground has a short trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall called Spainhour Falls, about ten miles from Clarksville. Haw Creek Falls also has a recreation area for hiking and camping.

**Transport & Logistics:** Arkansas has more than 1,000 miles of rivers to travel on, and every county has a river nearby that doesn’t freeze in winter. The state also has over 2,400 miles of train tracks maintained by three big train companies. This helps businesses send and receive goods easily.

Why invest in Johnson County tax deeds?

Economic and real‑estate advantages

• Arkansas has more than 1,000 miles of rivers, and you can find a river near every county. The rivers don’t freeze in winter! The state also has over 2,400 miles of train tracks for three big train companies. This helps businesses send and get their products easily across the country.

• Johnson County is growing and doing well. People there work in farming, cutting trees for wood, and getting visitors to come. The county is near a big road that connects two cities, Fort Smith and Little Rock, making it easy to move things around. They have good ways to transport goods to different places.

• Also, the University of the Ozarks is in Clarksville. It brings in students and teachers, which helps the town and makes it a fun place with many activities.

High returns with manageable risks

In Arkansas, if people don’t pay their property taxes, the government can sell their houses. When you buy these houses for the amount they owe in taxes, it’s called tax deed investing. This can help you make money because if you fix up the house or sell it, you might get a lot more money than what you paid. Also, in Arkansas, once you buy the house, it’s yours forever— the old owner can’t come back and take it away. This makes it a safer choice than in other places where the old owner might return later. 

How the Johnson County tax sale works

Registration

1. Check the schedule. COSL posts the annual auction calendar on cosl.org around May. Johnson County’s 2025 sale is on August 14, 2025
   
2. Arrive early. Doors open at 9 a.m. Registration requires a valid U.S. government‑issued ID. After completing a bidder registration card, you receive a numbered bidder card.
   
3. Bring payment method. Only personal or business checks, money orders and credit/debit cards are accepted. Cash is not accepted for purchases.
   

Auction process

• Opening bid: Each parcel is offered in sequence. The auctioneer announces the minimum bid equal to the delinquent taxes, penalties and interest.
  
• Bidding: Bidders raise their cards to offer higher amounts. The highest bid wins. In regional auctions, multiple counties may be sold at the same event; counties are auctioned alphabetically.
  
• Payment: The winning bidder must pay the full purchase price immediately using an approved payment method. Failure to pay results in loss of bidding privileges.
  
• Deed & litigation period: COSL records a limited‑warranty deed in the county’s circuit clerk’s office and mails it to the buyer. A 90‑day litigation period begins on the deed’s issuance date. Buyers should delay major improvements until this period ends, since a court could set aside the sale.
  

Post‑auction (OTC) sales

Unsold parcels enter a post‑auction sale 30 days after the live auction. Buyers can register at auction.cosl.org and place online bids. Key points:

1. Earnest money: When you win, we charge the first $100 of your bid to your credit or debit card. If the sale amount is less than $100, we charge the full amount..
   
2. Balance due: The remainder must be paid with certified funds within 10 business days. Failure to pay forfeits the earnest money and bars you from future auctions.
   
3. Deed issuance: Once you make the payment and the redemption deadline passes, COSL will issue a limited warranty deed.
   

Returns and resale strategies

In Arkansas, individuals can buy unpaid land and earn money from it.. They can sell it, rent it, or fix it up. Sometimes they buy land for a few hundred dollars, and it can be worth a lot more later. But they need to check the land first. Some might be hard to reach, wet, or have money owed to the town..

Importance of due diligence

What due diligence entails

1. Research the property. Use the Public Auction Catalog and DataScoutPro links to view parcel numbers, legal descriptions and assessor’s property cards. Locate the property on a map and verify road access.
   
2. Check for liens or encumbrances. COSL’s notice may not identify every lien holder. Search county records for mortgages, municipal liens or improvement district assessments. IRS liens may survive the sale.
   
3. Inspect the site. Drive by the property, check its condition, and ensure improvements exist. Verify zoning and permitted uses.
   
4. Estimate market value. Compare recent sales of similar properties and consider repair costs. Some investors hire a local title company or attorney to perform a title search.
   

Risks of skipping due diligence

• Unmarketable title: Arkansas issues a limited‑warranty deed; buyers may need to file a quiet‑title action, which can be costly.
  
• Hidden liens: Municipal or improvement district assessments may remain attached and become the new owner’s responsibility.
  
• Physical problems: Parcels may be landlocked, steep, flooded or nonexistent. Buildings may be unsafe or condemned.
  
• Unexpected costs: You become responsible for current‑year taxes not included in the bid  and any homeowner association fees or special assessments.
  

Benefits of buying post‑auction (over‑the‑counter)

Purchasing unsold parcels through the post‑auction sale offers several advantages:

• No competition – you compete only with other online bidders during the 30‑day sale, and many parcels receive few bids.
  
• Fixed minimum price – the reserve price is set at the amount of taxes owed; sometimes parcels sell for the minimum because few bidders research them.
  
• Convenient process – you can bid from home and have time to research each property thoroughly.
  

However, you still need to pay earnest money and the remaining balance quickly; failure to do so forfeits your deposit and bans you from future auctions.

Frequently asked questions

When does Johnson County hold tax sales?

Johnson County’s tax deed auction usually occurs in mid‑August. COSL releases the exact date and location each spring.

What time should I arrive and do I need to register?

Yes. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and you must present a valid U.S. ID and sign a bidder registration card. The auction starts promptly at 10 a.m.

Can the owner redeem the property after the sale?

No. Owners must pay all delinquent taxes and fees before 4 p.m. on the last business day prior to the auction. After the sale, owners cannot redeem the property.

How is the minimum bid determined?

The minimum bid equals the total delinquent taxes, penalties and interest owed on the parcel. Current‑year taxes are not included, so the winning bidder must pay those to the county tax collector by October 15.

Which payment methods do you accept?

At the auction, They only accept personal checks, business checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. You cannot use cash for purchases. If you make a post-auction online purchase, we will charge your card $100 as earnest money, and you must pay the balance with certified funds within 10 business days. Who can bid?

Any U.S. citizen or legal resident with valid identification can bid. Foreign residents and previous owners of the parcel cannot bid. You need to register at the auction site.

Where can I find lists of parcels and updates?

The Public Auction Catalog on cosl.org includes sale dates, locations and parcel lists. COSL also posts updates on its Facebook and Instagram pages and releases news articles announcing regional auctions. Unsold parcels appear on the post-auction sales page 30 days after the auction.

Pro tips for successful investing

• Research each property thoroughly – use assessor records, maps and site visits to avoid undesirable parcels.
  
• Bring multiple payment options – a personal check and a backup credit/debit card ensure you can pay immediately.
  
• Budget for additional costs – plan to pay current‑year taxes, quiet‑title actions and any municipal liens.
  
• Attend multiple county auctions – regional events cover several counties; you can bid on parcels across counties at a single venue.
  
• Stay organized – track parcel numbers, bid amounts and deadlines. Keep receipts and the “Purchaser Summary” you receive after paying.
  

Useful links and resources

• Johnson 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?

Johnson County auctions could be your starting point into real estate investing. Visit our Auction Calendar to review the latest listings, and explore our free resources for strategies and helpful tips. If you want personal guidance, don’t hesitate to Book a free call with our team.

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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