Got taxes on your mind and Dunn County land on your radar? Here’s the deal. Dunn County sometimes ends up owning homes and land because the past owners stopped paying property taxes. The county then sells that property to the public. This guide breaks down how it works, how to bid, and what to check first.

Dunn County does not sell “tax liens.” There is no certificate to buy and no interest to collect while you wait. The county takes full ownership of a property first, through a court process, then sells the property itself for fair value. That is why people call it a tax deed sale, not a lien sale.

Who Handles This?

Two offices split the work in Dunn County. The Treasurer’s Office collects delinquent taxes and starts the foreclosure. The Corporation Counsel Office takes over once the county owns the property, and runs the actual sale, including bid forms and closing paperwork. The Treasurer’s Office sits at 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Suite 102A, Menomonie, WI, and the phone number is (715) 232-3789. For sale questions, call the Corporation Counsel Office at 715-232-3996.

How A Property Becomes County-Owned

Step	What Happens
1. Taxes go unpaid	If either tax installment is late, the whole bill becomes delinquent
2. Interest builds	Interest and penalty add up at 1.5% per month, starting in February
3. Foreclosure starts	Dunn County uses “In Rem” foreclosure under Wisconsin Statute 75.521
4. County takes title	The court grants the case and Dunn County becomes the legal owner
5. First sale round	The property goes up for a sealed bid sale
6. Leftover properties	Parcels that did not sell move into the ongoing sale list

Two Ways Dunn County Sells These Properties

Dunn County runs its property sales in two rounds, and knowing the difference matters.

Round one, sealed bid sale. New tax-foreclosed properties get listed first through a sealed bid process. You fill out a bid form and turn it in by a set deadline. Nobody sees other bids until the county opens them all.

Round two, ongoing sale. If a property does not sell in round one, it moves to the “Ongoing Property Sales” list under Wisconsin Statute 75.69. These properties can get a bid any day, with no fixed deadline. A deposit of $50 or 10% of your bid, whichever is bigger, must go with every bid. The county only takes a cashier’s check or money order for this. No personal checks.

How To Bid On A Dunn County Property

1. Check the “Ongoing Property Sales” page on the Dunn County website, or ask about new sealed bid listings.
2. Call the Corporation Counsel Office to confirm which properties are open and get a bid form.
3. Research the parcel using the county’s Land Information and GIS tools before you commit anything.
4. Contact the Register of Deeds to check for old liens or claims still tied to the land.
5. Call the local town, village, or city office to confirm zoning rules for your planned use.
6. Fill out the bid form fully and attach your deposit by cashier’s check or money order.
7. Submit your bid to the Corporation Counsel Office, Dunn County Government Center, 3001 US Hwy 12 E, Suite 263, Menomonie, WI 54751.
8. If you win, pay the balance and cover the $30 deed recording fee. The county then issues a quit claim deed.

Why You Should Slow Down Before Bidding

Every Dunn County tax deed property sells “as is.” The county gives no title guarantee and does not survey the land, so listed acreage is often just an estimate. Before you bid, take these steps:

• Pull the parcel’s tax and ownership history through the Land Information Office.
• Search Register of Deeds records for liens the county does not clear.
• Check for special assessments with the local municipal clerk, since these stay attached to the property.
• Drive by the property if you can. Interior access is almost never offered.
• Set aside extra money for repairs, cleanup, or surprise costs.

Quick Facts

Item	Detail
County agency	Dunn County Treasurer and Corporation Counsel
Process type	In Rem foreclosure, Wisconsin Statute 75.521
Sale rounds	Sealed bid, then ongoing sale under Wis. Stat. 75.69
Deposit	$50 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater
Deed type	Quit claim deed, no title guarantee
Property condition	Sold “as is,” buyer does own research
Deed recording fee	$30
Treasurer phone	(715) 232-3789
Sale office phone	715-232-3996

FAQ

What is a Dunn County tax deed?
It is the ownership title the county gets after a property owner fails to pay real estate taxes long enough to trigger foreclosure. The county then resells the property to the public.

Does Dunn County sell tax liens?
No. Wisconsin counties do not sell lien certificates. Dunn County takes full title through the court first, then sells the property itself.

What is the difference between the sealed bid sale and the ongoing sale?
Sealed bid properties are newly listed and have a fixed deadline. Ongoing sale properties already went through a sealed bid round without selling, so they now take bids at any time.

Is there a minimum bid?
Every bid needs a deposit of $50 or 10% of the offer, whichever amount is bigger. Specific price terms depend on the listing.

Can I inspect a property before bidding?
Usually not on the inside. Properties sell as is, so plan on outside viewing and desk research.

Who do I contact with questions?
Call the Dunn County Treasurer’s Office at (715) 232-3789, or the Corporation Counsel Office at 715-232-3996 for sale-specific questions.

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Sources:
https://dunncountywi.gov/ongoingpropertysales
https://dunncountywi.gov/treasurer
https://dunncountywi.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B97C2FC1A-69D7-4F5C-BA23-79B5C833BED5%7D/uploads/Property_Sales_FAQ_-_No_Deposit_Required.pdf
https://dunncountywi.gov/landinfo
https://dunncountywi.gov/

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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!”

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