Author: Jessa May Bautista
Reviewed by: Josh Blanchard
Fact- Checked by: Jack Aldous

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Ever wonder how Monroe County ends up owning a house or a plot of land? It comes down to one thing: unpaid property taxes. Below is a plain Q&A that walks through how it works, who runs it, and how you can bid if you want to buy one of these properties.

What Is a Tax Deed?

When a property owner does not pay real estate taxes, the debt becomes delinquent. If the taxes stay unpaid long enough, the county can take legal title to the property. This is called a tax deed. The county then sells these properties to the public to recover the unpaid taxes.

Why does Monroe County, Wisconsin, end up owning property?

When someone stops paying real estate taxes and the debt sits unpaid too long, the county has the legal right to take the property. It uses a court process called “In Rem” foreclosure. Once a judge grants the case, the county holds full legal title. Only then can it sell the property to a new buyer.

Does Monroe County, Wisconsin sell tax liens like some other states do?

No. Wisconsin skips that step completely. There is no certificate to buy and no interest to collect while you wait. The county takes full ownership first, then sells the property outright. That full transfer is why this is called a tax deed, not a lien.

Who is in charge of this process?

The Monroe County Treasurer’s Office runs it. Brittany J. Herricks holds the Treasurer position. Her office collects delinquent real estate taxes, keeps records, and manages the foreclosure and sale steps under Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 59, 70, 74, and 75.

How does a property move from unpaid taxes to a Monroe County, Wisconsin public sale?

Here is the general path most Wisconsin counties, including Monroe County, follow for In Rem tax foreclosures.

Step	What Happens
1. Taxes go unpaid	First installment is due January 31 to the local municipal treasurer
2. Full balance due	If unpaid by January 31, the whole tax bill becomes delinquent right away
3. Interest builds	Interest is charged at 1% per month starting February 1
4. Certificate issued	County issues a tax certificate on unpaid parcels
5. Foreclosure begins	After about two years of nonpayment, the county starts the In Rem court process
6. County takes title	Once the court grants judgment, Monroe County becomes the legal owner
7. Property listed	The parcel is posted for public sale, and a deed is issued to the buyer

Where do I check for current listings in Monroe County, Wisconsin?

The county keeps a “Properties for Sale, Foreclosure” page on its website. This is the spot to bookmark, since Monroe County does not run sales on a fixed yearly calendar. A sale only opens once the county actually has foreclosed parcels ready to go.

What should I do before I place any bid?

Treat this like homework, not a shortcut. Here is a simple order to follow.

1. Check the county’s Properties for Sale, Foreclosure page for anything currently listed.
2. Call or email the Treasurer’s Office to ask about terms, deadlines, and how to submit an offer.
3. Look up the parcel using the county’s online Tax Parcel Search and GIS map tools.
4. Contact the Register of Deeds to search for old liens or claims still tied to the land.
5. Call the local town, village, or city office to confirm what the property can legally be used for.
6. Submit your bid or offer exactly the way the notice describes it.
7. Once payment clears, record your new deed with the Register of Deeds.

Can I walk through the house before I buy it?

Almost never. Every tax deed property sells “as is.” The county will not fix a roof, clear out junk, or settle a boundary problem before handing over the deed. Plan on outside viewing and desk research instead of a full walkthrough.

What is the biggest risk buyers overlook?

Old debts or claims that never got cleared up. A tax deed does not automatically wipe out every issue. Always check Register of Deeds records, and set aside extra money for repairs, cleanup, or surprises you cannot see from the street.

Quick Facts

Item	Detail
County agency	Monroe County Treasurer
Treasurer	Brittany J. Herricks
Process type	In Rem tax foreclosure, then tax deed sale
Governing law	Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 59, 70, 74, 75
Interest on delinquent taxes	1% per month, starting February 1
Property condition	Sold as is, buyer does own research
Office address	202 South K Street, Room 3, Sparta, WI 54656
Main phone	(608) 269-8710
Treasurer direct phone	(608) 269-8729
Office hours	Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time

FAQ

Sources:
Monroe County Wisconsin Treasurer
Monroe County Wisconsin Real Property Lister
Monroe County Wisconsin Website

Related Links:

• Monroe County AR – Tax Deed Auction
• Monroe County PA – Tax Deed Auction

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About Dustin Hahn

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!”

20+yrs

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