Union County, Arkansas Tax‑Deed Sales – Dates, Rules & Investment Insights

Introduction

Union County is a place in South Arkansas, and its main town is called El Dorado. This area has a lot of history, especially because of the oil industry, which means there used to be a lot of oil drilling and jobs related to that. Today, Union County is still busy with jobs in energy, trees (timber), and making things (manufacturing). If you are looking to invest or buy property, there are chances to do that, including special sales where people can buy land that hasn’t been paid for in taxes..

Brief Overview of the County’s Tax Sale

Union County has a system for selling properties when people don’t pay their taxes for a long time. If someone hasn’t paid their taxes, the state gets those properties and then sells them at public auctions, which usually happen in the summer or fall. At these auctions, people can bid on the properties starting at the amount they owe in taxes and fees. Once a property is sold at the auction, the person who bought it cannot give it back, making the sale final..

Important details

The table below gives important information about how Union County sells homes and land at auction. This is when people can buy properties that they might get for a good price. The auction happens at a specific time and place that you can check out on their website.

Item	Details
Tax Sale Type	Tax Deed – winning bidder gets a limited-warranty deed; no redemption after sale
Typical Sale Date	Statewide auctions: July–Oct. Union County 2025 sale: Sept 30, 2025
Upcoming Sale	Sept 30, 2025 – 10:00 AM CT, Union County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Courtroom, 101 N Washington St, El Dorado
Auction Time	10:00 AM CT (registration opens 30 mins before, usually 9:00 AM for regional sales)
Registration	Required. In-person only, no fee. Driver’s license or U.S. ID needed. Online post-auction sales require account + ID verification
Auction Location	Union County Courthouse, 101 N Washington St, 3rd Floor Courtroom, El Dorado, AR
Redemption	Owners/lienholders can redeem until 4 PM the business day before the auction. No redemption after sale
Bidding	Oral bidding, parcels offered in order listed. Minimum bid = taxes + interest + penalty + costs. Highest bid wins
Payment	Cash not accepted. Pay by check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card. Full payment due immediately. Online sales: $100 deposit per parcel, balance due in 10 days
Deposit	No deposit required for live sales. Online post-auction sales require $100 per parcel
Contacts	COSL: 501-324-9422, [email protected], cosl.org. Union County Collector: 870-864-1930, [email protected]
Updates	Auction dates, parcel lists, and catalogs posted on cosl.org (Public Auction Catalog). Also check local news sources like Arkadelphian.

Arkansas tax‑deed investing explained

Tax sale type – tax deeds, not lien certificates

In Arkansas, when a property is sold at an auction, the new owner gets a special type of deed called a limited-warranty deed. This means the winner buys the property but there might still be some unpaid bills tied to it, like city fees or taxes owed to the IRS. 

The new owner cannot fully sell the property right away until they fix any title issues, but after July 1, 2023, once the auction ends, the deed is final. This means the previous owner can’t get their property back. Because there’s no time for the old owner to take back their property, people who buy at the auction can move in faster than in places where people can get their property back..

Sale Dates and How It Works

In the summer and fall, there are special sales for land and houses in different counties. In 2025, these sales start on July 10 in Pulaski County and finish on October 1 in other counties. Union County’s sale is on September 30, 2025, and will take place in El Dorado. You can sign up to join the auction starting around 9 a.m., and the bidding will start at 10 a.m. If any land or houses don’t sell, they will be available online 30 days later.

Rules About Paying and Challenges

If you own a property and want to keep it, you must pay all your taxes and fees before 4 p.m. on the last business day before the auction. After that time, you can’t change your mind. After the sale, there is a 90-day period where anyone can challenge or dispute the sale. This means you should wait to fix up the property until this time is over. If the sale doesn’t go through, the money you paid will be refunded, but any extra costs like credit card fees won’t be returned.

How to Bid and Pay

When you go to the live auction, it’s pretty simple. The items are sold in the order they are listed. The highest bidder wins, but you need to bid at least the amount of back taxes owed. You need to register to bid, but it doesn’t cost anything. Before the auction starts, you will get a special card with a number. You will raise your hand to bid, and when the auctioneer says, “going once, going twice, sold,” you agree to pay for it.

You must pay right away, and cash isn’t accepted anymore. Instead, you can use a personal check, a bank check, a money order, or a credit/debit card. If you buy something online after the auction, you need to make a $100 deposit with your credit card, and then you have to pay the rest within 10 days.

Union County & Arkansas: fun facts and economic highlights

Population and history

People in the county love spending time outside. They go fishing and boating on the Ouachita River, hike in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, and enjoy the many lakes and parks. There are fun music festivals, farmers’ markets, and cultural events in downtown El Dorado. South Arkansas Community College helps people learn new job skills, and there are good healthcare services. The area has affordable homes, lower taxes, and a warm climate, making it a nice place to live..

Unique natural features

People in the county love spending time outside. They go fishing and boating on the Ouachita River, hike in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, and enjoy the many lakes and parks. There are fun music festivals, farmers’ markets, and cultural events in downtown El Dorado. South Arkansas Community College helps people learn new job skills, and there are good healthcare services. The area has affordable homes, lower taxes, and a warm climate, making it a nice place to live.

Transportation and infrastructure

Union County is easy to get to because it has big roads. There are also state roads, like 7, 15, and 129. In the future, a new road called Interstate 69 will be built, which will help people travel east and west more easily. For flying, there is an airport called South Arkansas Regional Airport at Goodwin Field, where you can take small planes. There are also train tracks and boats on the Ouachita River that help local businesses.

Economic development

Union County has a strong economy. A long time ago, the oil boom helped start jobs in oil and making chemicals. Now, people in Union County also work with trees, farms, and light factories. There are special natural resources like bromine and gas that help make special chemicals. Some big companies, like Murphy Oil and LANXESS, have their work places in the area. Recently, more tourists have come to visit because of interesting history sites and the Murphy Arts District. There are also affordable homes and improvements to roads that make the area a good place for people to invest their money..

Community appeal

People in the county love spending time outside. They go fishing and boating on the Ouachita River, hike in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, and enjoy the many lakes and parks. There are fun music festivals, farmers’ markets, and cultural events in downtown El Dorado. South Arkansas Community College helps people learn new job skills, and there are good healthcare services. The area has affordable homes, lower taxes, and a warm climate, making it a nice place to live.

Why Union County is ideal for tax‑deed investors

Economic factors and real‑estate trends

Union County’s population has been getting smaller since 2010, so home prices are not very high compared to big cities. Homes there sell for less money than in many other places. People can buy houses at auctions for just the amount of back taxes owed, which is usually much lower than the house’s real value. After buying, they can fix the houses up and sell or rent them out. Buyers need to make sure they can prove they own the house before selling it..

High returns with low risk

When people win an auction for a piece of land, they pay the unpaid taxes and some fees. There isn’t a set interest rate like in some other places, but the chance to buy land for very low prices is good. For example, some properties in Union County can start with bids of just a few hundred dollars. If the land is worth more, the buyer can sell or rent it for money. The auctions are open to everyone in the U.S. with an ID..

Auction process step‑by‑step

1. Research: Prospective bidders should examine parcels listed in the auction catalog, noting legal descriptions, assessed values, and any known liens. County assessor and DataScout property cards provide maps and ownership information.
   
2. Register: Arrive at the sale location about 30 minutes early or at 9 a.m. for regional sale, present your driver’s licence, and obtain a bidder card. Online bidders must create an account at auction.cosl.org, upload ID and payment information, and verify identity.
   
3. Bid: Listen as parcels are called in sale order. The minimum bid equals the delinquent taxes, interest, penalty and costs. Bids increase in open increments until only one bidder remains.
   
4. Pay: Immediately after winning, tender full payment via check, money order or card; cash is not accepted. For online sales, the system charges $100 per parcel and requires certified funds for the balance within 10 days.
   
5. Receive deed: The COSL issues a limited‑warranty deed after payment and records it with the county. Buyers should wait until the 90‑day litigation period ends before making major improvements.
   

Maximum potential returns

When people buy land in tax sales, they can get it for much cheaper than what it usually costs. Some empty lots in the countryside can be sold for less than $500. If the land has a house or a store, there’s a chance to make a lot of money when selling or renting it. But before buying, it’s important to check the place, see how much fixing it needs, and know how much it’s worth.

Open to U.S. investors

Arkansas allows any U.S. resident to bid as long as they register and provide valid identification. Buyers whose home of record is outside the United States are barred from purchasing at tax auctions, so competition comes mainly from domestic investors. The online system provides access to post‑auction properties nationwide; investors need not attend live auctions.

Due diligence is critical

Buying tax‑delinquent property is not risk‑free. Investors should:

• Verify the parcel’s location and condition by visiting the property or reviewing maps. Some parcels may be landlocked, flood‑prone or have structures in poor condition.
  
• Check for surviving liens such as municipal improvement districts or IRS liens—these may remain after the sale
  
• Review zoning and restrictions to ensure the intended use is permitted.
  
• Estimate repair and holding costs; budget for quiet‑title actions to obtain marketable title.
  
• Understand that the COSL does not guarantee usability or clear title, and buyers take property as‑is
  

Skipping due diligence may lead to costly surprises, such as properties with title defects or environmental issues. Even though the entry price may be low, remediation costs can erase profits.

Over‑the‑counter (post‑auction) purchases

Parcels that fail to sell at the live auction are listed on the post‑auction sales site 30 days latera. Investors can register online, place bids during a 30‑day bidding window and pay a $100 earnest‑money deposit per parcel. The high bidder must remit the balance within 10 days. Post‑auction properties often include rural tracts, vacant lots and small homes. The benefit of OTC purchases is less competition; investors can research at their own pace and set a maximum bid. However, some parcels remain unsold because of access issues or liens, so due diligence is still essential.

Why Union County is a top choice for tax‑deed investors

Union County offers a combination of affordable property, diverse economy, and rich natural resources. Its historic downtown and arts district are undergoing revitalisation, while industries like oil, bromine and timber continue to provide employment. Major highways and an airport facilitate access, and the county’s position on the Louisiana border offers cross‑state economic links. The abundance of rural land means there are numerous parcels available at auction each year. For investors seeking to build a portfolio of rental properties or speculative land holdings, Union County’s tax‑deed sales provide an opportunity to acquire real estate at deep discounts with relatively quick possession.

Conclusion

Union County, Arkansas, has special sales where people can buy properties that haven’t been paid for. These sales happen every year from July to October, and once you buy a property, you own it right away! It’s important for buyers to check the properties carefully and know if they need to fix any problems. If done the right way, these sales can help people make money and also help the town by getting old, unused properties back to work.

Pro tips for buyers

• Arrive early: Registration opens about 30 minutes before the auctionb; arriving early ensures you have time to register and ask questions.
  
• Bring proper ID: A driver’s licence is required; only U.S. residents may bid.
  
• Bring acceptable payment methods: Checks or debit/credit cards are required—cash is not accepted
  
• Inspect the property: Drive by the parcel and check for structures, access and potential issues.
  
• Set a budget: Decide your maximum bid before the auction; avoid overbidding in the heat of the moment.
  
• Plan for quiet‑title action: Factor in legal costs to obtain clear title before reselling or financing the property.
  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When are Union County tax sales held?
Arkansas schedules county auctions between July and October each year. 

What time does the auction start and when should I register?
Live auctions generally begin at 10 a.m. Central Time. Registration opens at 9 a.m. or about 30 minutes before the sale

Do I need to register in advance?
Yes. All bidders must register at the sale site and show a valid driver’s licence or U.S. ID. There is no registration fee.

Is there a redemption period after the sale?
No. Parcels can be redeemed only until 4 p.m. the day before the auction. After the sale begins, the transaction is final.

What payment methods are accepted?
Cash is not accepted. Buyers must pay with personal or business checks, cashier’s checks, money orders or credit/debit cards.

How do I find upcoming tax sales?
Visit cosl.org for auction dates and catalogs. Local news sites such as Arkadelphian also announce regional auctions

Can investors outside the U.S. participate?
No. Arkansas law prohibits bidders whose home of record is outside the United States from purchasing tax‑delinquent parcels

Useful Links

• Union 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

Ready to explore investment opportunities in Union County? Our Auction Calendar gives you access to upcoming tax sales in the area. Start by browsing listings, use our free resources to guide your first steps, and if you need expert help, Book a free call to map out your next move.

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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