Want to buy land or a house in Pierce County, Wisconsin for less than market price? The county sometimes sells property it took over from owners who stopped paying real estate taxes. This is called a tax deed sale. Below are seven simple rules that explain how it works and how you can join in.

Rule 1: It’s a Deed, Not a Lien

Wisconsin does not sell tax lien certificates. Some states let investors buy a piece of debt and earn interest while they wait. Pierce County skips that step. The county takes full ownership of the property first, then sells the property itself. When you win a bid, you get the actual land or house, not a claim against it.

Rule 2: The County Clerk Runs the Sale

The Pierce County Clerk’s Office handles tax deed sales. Jamie R. Feuerhelm serves as County Clerk. Her office posts sale notices, collects bids, and works with the Finance & Personnel Committee to approve winners. This is different from the Treasurer’s Office, which only handles regular tax collection and delinquent tax notices.

Rule 3: Sale Notices Run for Three Weeks First

Before any sale happens, Pierce County prints a notice in The Pierce County Journal. This runs once a week for three weeks straight. The county also posts the same details online. There is no fixed yearly date. Sales happen whenever the county has property ready to sell.

Rule 4: Bidding Can Be Open or Sealed

Pierce County can pick either bidding style for a sale, and this can differ each time:

Bidding Type	How It Works
Open bidding	Bids are written and mailed or emailed in, then posted publicly on the county website as they come in
Sealed bidding	Bids stay hidden until the deadline, then all get opened at once

There is no set minimum or maximum bid amount under state law. The Finance & Personnel Committee still reviews and can accept or reject any offer.

Rule 5: Here’s How the Whole Process Moves

Stage	What Happens
1. Taxes go unpaid	Owner stops paying real estate taxes for several years
2. County starts foreclosure	Pierce County begins the legal steps to take title
3. County takes title	The county becomes the full legal owner of the parcel
4. Notice published	The sale notice runs in the local paper for three weeks
5. Bids submitted	Buyers send in written bids marked “Tax Deed Land”
6. Committee reviews	The Finance & Personnel Committee approves or rejects bids
7. Payment and deed	Winner pays by cashier’s check or money order, then gets a Quit Claim Deed

Rule 6: How to Actually Place a Bid

Follow these steps in order:

1. Check the Tax Deed Lands page on the county website for a current listing.
2. Download the Bid Form from the Clerk’s Office page, or write your own note with the property’s legal description and parcel number.
3. Fill in your name, address, and phone number clearly.
4. Mail or email your bid to the County Clerk’s Office. Mark it “Tax Deed Land.”
5. Wait for the Clerk to notify you if you win.
6. Pay the full bid amount by cashier’s check or money order within seven business days.
7. Pay a separate $30 recording fee, made payable to the Register of Deeds.
8. Record your Quit Claim Deed once payment clears.

Remember, once your deed is filed, you become responsible for that whole year’s property taxes. Taxes are not split up by month, so plan your budget around the full amount.

Rule 7: Check These Things Before You Send a Bid

Every property sells “as is.” Pierce County makes no promises about the roof, the land, or old debts tied to the parcel. Run through this list first:

• Look up the parcel’s tax and ownership history through the county’s Land Management office.
• Contact the Register of Deeds to search for old liens or claims.
• Drive by the property. Interior access is almost never offered.
• Call the local town, village, or city to confirm zoning rules.
• Set aside extra cash for repairs, cleanup, or unpaid utility bills.

Quick Facts

Item	Detail
County agency	Pierce County Clerk’s Office
Clerk	Jamie R. Feuerhelm
Sale type	Tax deed, full ownership transfer
Governing law	Wisconsin Statute 75.69(1)
Bid method	Open or sealed, decided per sale
Minimum bid	None set by law, subject to committee approval
Deed type	Quit Claim Deed
Recording fee	$30, paid to Register of Deeds
Payment deadline	Within 7 business days of bid approval
Clerk phone	715-273-6744
Clerk address	414 W. Main St, P.O. Box 119, Ellsworth, WI 54011

FAQ

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

Does Pierce County sell tax liens?
No. Like every Wisconsin county, Pierce County takes full ownership first, then sells the property itself.

Is there a minimum bid?
State law does not set one for Pierce County. The Finance & Personnel Committee still reviews every bid and can reject any offer, even a high one.

Can I see inside a property before bidding?
Almost never. Properties sell “as is,” so plan on outside viewing and your own research.

How do I know when a new sale opens?
Watch The Pierce County Journal and the county’s Tax Deed Lands webpage. The county does not keep a mailing list, so checking often is your best option.

What happens if I win but don’t pay in time?
You must pay the full bid

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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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