What You Need to Know About the Lonoke County, Arkansas Tax Deed Sale?

The Lonoke County tax deed sale gives investors a chance to purchase properties that have gone delinquent on property taxes. Managed by the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, this auction is held as part of the state’s regional tax sales between July and October each year. Unlike lien states, Arkansas sells tax deeds, meaning the winning bidder receives ownership of the property rather than just a lien.

In Lonoke County, these sales not only provide an affordable entry point for investors but also return tax-delinquent properties to productive use, while supporting local services funded by property taxes. The auction is an important event for both the community and those seeking strong real estate investment opportunities.

What Is a Tax Deed?

A tax deed is a piece of paper that makes you the owner of a property after buying it at a tax sale. A tax sale happens when someone does not pay their property taxes and an attempt to recoup the owed money, the county sells the property. Once purchased at auction, the county then gives you a tax deed, officially making you the legal owner of the property, usually at a significantly reduced cost from market value.

Important details for Lonoke County tax sales

Item	Answer
Tax sale type	Tax deed
Typical sale date	Regional auctions run between July and October.
Auction time	10:00 a.m. Central; registration opens at 9:00 a.m.
Registration	Required onsite with U.S. ID; no fee
Registration window	Opens 9:00 a.m. on sale day; closes before bidding starts
Auction location	Varies Every Year. Can be at Lonoke Community Center – Multi-Purpose Room, 1355 W. Front St., Lonoke Based on Past Auctions
Redemption period	No redemption after sale; deadline is 4:00 p.m. the prior business day
Bid procedure	Parcels offered alphabetically; opening bid = taxes/fees owed; full payment due immediately by check, money order, or card (no cash)
Deposit	None for live auctions; $100 earnest deposit per parcel for online sales
Terms of sale	Sales are final; full payment required at sale (live) or within 10 business days (online)
Contact	Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands, 501-324-9422, [email protected]

Arkansas’s unique features for tax‑deed investing

High returns in a deed state

In Arkansas, if someone doesn’t pay their property taxes, the government can sell their land. When you buy it, you get ownership right away, but there’s a 90-day wait to make sure no one is disputing it. Bidding starts low, and many pieces of land sell for just a few thousand dollars. After you buy it, you can use it right away. You can also buy unsold land online with just a $100 deposit, and there won’t be any competition for the bid.

Low property taxes and supportive laws

In Arkansas, property taxes are low, which helps people who want to buy houses or land. There is no state tax on property, but local schools collect money to help pay for education. Most of this money goes to public schools. A rule called Amendment 79 helps keep taxes from going up too fast. It limits the increase in property value to 10% for most homes and 5% for homes where people live all the time. There are also tax savings for homeowners and older people.

 Fun facts about Arkansas

• Natural State: Arkansas is called “The Natural State” because it has many fun outdoor places to visit. It has 52 state parks and seven sites run by the National Park Service, like Hot Springs National Park..
  
• Rice capital: Farming adds about $16 billion each year to Arkansas. Arkansas grows half of all the rice in the U.S. and is one of the top three states for cotton and chickens.
  
• Transport powerhouse: Arkansas is in the middle of the country, which helps its transportation and shipping businesses. The state has 22 big truck companies, 20 highways, eight interstates, and two major airports: Northwest Arkansas National Airport and Clinton National Airport.
  
• Aerospace hub: Aerospace products are Arkansas’s leading export, generating $1.8 billion annually. About 180 aviation, aerospace and defense companies operate in the state
  
• Timber & forestry: Forests cover roughly 19 million acres (half of the state’s land area). The timber industry employs more than 47 000 people and is a major cash .
  

Attractions and economic highlights

Popular attractions

Arkansas is a pretty place with lots of nature. People go hiking and fishing there. Hot Springs National Park has special baths. Places like Pinnacle Mountain, Petit Jean State Park, and the Buffalo National River have great trails and beautiful views. In bigger cities like Little Rock and Fayetteville, you can find theaters, museums, and historic places. Little Rock Central High School is important because it played a big part in the fight for equal rights.e.

Transportation infrastructure

Arkansas has many good roads, making it easy for trucks to deliver things. Interstate 40 goes from east to west, and Interstate 30 connects Little Rock to Dallas. I-55 links Arkansas to Memphis and St. Louis. There are train tracks from Union Pacific and BNSF Railway that go all over the state. The Mississippi River helps big boats bring goods too. Little Rock and Bentonville have airports with flights to big cities.

Economic development

Arkansas is known for farming. It grows a lot of rice and raises many turkeys and chickens. The state also has cotton, catfish, and trees. Many people work in the airplane and defense jobs, like at Dassault Falcon Jet. Arkansas has big companies like Walmart, which is in Bentonville, and Tyson Foods. Now, most jobs in Arkansas are in services like healthcare, shopping, and hotels.

Community appeal

People who live in and visit Arkansas can have fun outside all year. They can go kayaking on the Buffalo River, ride bikes on the Razorback Greenway, or fish in Greers Ferry and Beaver Lake. There are 52 parks where you can camp, hike, bike, or climb rocks. In cities like Little Rock, Eureka Springs, and Hot Springs, you can see live music and shows. There are also festivals where people celebrate music and food. Arkansas is a beautiful place with friendly people and it’s affordable, which makes more people want to move here.

Why Lonoke County is ideal for tax‑deed investors

Lonoke County is near Little Rock and has nice small-town feel. Many people are moving there, and homes are still affordable. Auctions to buy land are easy to join. You can look at the land online and learn how to bid. Once the waiting time is over, you can keep the land without worrying about having to give it back. It’s easy to start bidding because you don’t need to pay money up front. Only people from the U.S. can join.

How the auction process works

1. Research parcels. Use the Public Auction Catalog at to review legal descriptions, minimum bids and maps. Check county records for liens or encumbrances, because the state does not guarantee clear title. Physical addresses may not be provided, so using the parcel number on the county assessor’s website helps locate the property.
   
2. Register at the sale. Arrive around 9 a.m. with a driver’s licence or other state‑issued ID. There is no fee to register. You’ll receive a bid card to use during the auction.
   
3. Bidding. Parcels are offered alphabetically by county. Bidding starts at the delinquent taxes and fees. Raise your bid card to bid. If you win, you must pay the full amount immediately by check, cashier’s check, money order or credit/debit card—cash is not accepted
   
4. Post‑auction. Unsold parcels are listed online 30 days after the auction. To bid, register on auction.cosl.org, verify your identity and place bids; a $100 deposit per parcel is charged to your card. You then have 10 business days to pay the balance. Unsold parcels can be purchased anytime on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
   

Expected returns and risks

When investors buy properties, how much they earn depends on what they do with it. Some people sell right away to make money, while others keep the property to earn rent. When they buy, they usually pay less than what the property is worth because they’re paying off back taxes and fees. In Arkansas, they can earn some money from tax liens, but most times, they make money when the property becomes more valuable over time.

Foreign investor participation

In Arkansas, only people and companies that have a U.S. address and ID can take part in bidding. If someone or a company is from another country, they can’t join in. This rule means there are fewer people who can bid, but it also means that people from other countries can’t take part in the bidding process.

Importance of due diligence

What due diligence entails

• Verify the legal description. Check the parcel’s metes and bounds description to ensure it matches the property you intend to buy.
  
• Check for liens and encumbrances. Municipal liens, improvement district taxes and IRS liens may survive the sale. Conduct a title search or hire a local abstractor.
  
• Inspect the property. Arkansas sells some parcels without road access or that consist only of improvements (buildings without land). Visit the site when possible or review aerial imagery.
  
• Consider marketability. A limited‑warranty deed conveys whatever interest the state holds but may require a lawsuit to quiet title before resale. Budget for legal fees.
  

Risks of skipping due diligence

When people want to buy a piece of land, they need to check it carefully first. If they neglect to do their due diligence, they may discover that the land is difficult to access, contaminated, or has financial issues that reduce its value. Without proper insurance, it will be their responsibility to address these issues. If someone disputes the purchase within 90 days, the seller will refund the purchase price, but they will not cover any repair costs or legal fees

Buying over‑the‑counter (OTC) parcels

How to purchase OTC liens/deeds

If a parcel doesn’t sell at an auction, it will go on a special list 30 days later. To join, go to auction.cosl.org and make an account. When you win a bid, you pay $100 right away. Then, you have 10 business days to pay the rest of the money using certified funds. If you don’t pay on time, you lose the $100 and might not be able to bid in future auctions..

Benefits of OTC purchases

• No bidding wars. The prices are set at the lowest amount you have to pay (like taxes owed), so you can buy things without having to compete with others.
  
• Flexible timing. Parcels remain available until purchased or redeemed, allowing time for thorough research.
  
• Online convenience. You can do all your buying and selling on the internet. You can invest money from anywhere in the United States.
  

Real estate market overview

Lonoke County offers affordability compared with more urban counties. Proximity to Little Rock provides employment opportunities while still offering rural amenities. Arkansas’s overall housing market has seen steady appreciation without the volatility of larger coastal markets. Low property tax rates and no redemption period make holding costs manageable.

Conclusion

Lonoke County has special auctions where people can buy land and houses. The auctions are at the Lonoke Community Center. In Arkansas, when you win a bid, you get the property right away. This state has low taxes and is a good place for people to live. Make sure to learn about the land and what you need to do before buying it!

Pro tips

• Come early to sign up—doors open at 9 a.m., and you can choose your seat when you get there. 

• Bring different ways to pay; you can use personal checks or debit/credit cards, but don’t bring cash. 

• Look at the Public Auction Catalog to pick what you want and decide how much you’re willing to pay before you go. 

• For online sales, choose the most you’re willing to pay and watch your email—bidding ends 30 days after the first bid. 

• Remember to save money for legal help and title work. You might need to do some legal steps before you can sell or get a loan on the property.

FAQs

When are Lonoke County tax sales held? Tax sales in Lonoke County usually happen between July and October. In 2025, the sale will be on July 15 at 10 a.m. You can check the Public Auction Catalog for future dates.

How do I register to bid? You can sign up to bid starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the sale. Bring a driver’s license or another ID from the government, and you will get a bid card.

What forms of payment are accepted? You can pay with personal checks, business checks, cashier’s checks, money orders, or credit/debit cards. Cash is not accepted.

Is a deposit required? No deposit is needed for in-person auctions. If you win a bid online later, you will need to pay a $100 deposit for each parcel.

Can out-of-state investors bid? Yes! Anyone from the U.S. with a valid ID can bid. But people or groups from outside the United States cannot bid.

Where can I find more information? You can visit the Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands website for more details, or you can call 501-324-9422 or email for help.

Useful links

• Arkansas County Tax Sale Information Link 
• State of Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands
• Arkansas County In-Person Auction Site 
• 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?

Lonoke County has tax-sale listings that might fit your investment goals. Start by checking our Auction Calenda for upcoming opportunities. Use our free resources to guide your research, and if you’d like tailored help, you can always Book a free call with our expert team.

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