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

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Right now, Portage County has three properties up for grabs. All three came from unpaid property taxes, and all three go to the highest qualifying bidder through an online auction. If you have ever wondered how a county ends up selling a house or a lot, this is your walkthrough, using the county’s own live listings as the example.

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.

The Properties On Sale Right Now

Address	Municipality	Parcel Number	Minimum Bid
2214 County Road HH West	Town of Carson	012240709-01.04	$10,000
103 Main Street	Village of Almond	101210928-16.01	$10,000
1341 Elm Street	Village of Almond	101540904	$10,000

Bidding opened Wednesday, March 18, 2026, and closes Tuesday, April 7, 2026. All bidding happens through Wisconsin Surplus, an outside auction company the county partners with. Listings and dates change, so this snapshot may not match what you see when you check the county page today.

Why Does a County Own Property in the First Place?

Property taxes pay for schools, roads, and local services. In Portage County, a lien lands on a parcel every September 1 if that year’s taxes go unpaid. From there, the owner gets roughly two years to catch up before the county can move to take the property through the tax deed process.

One thing worth clearing up: Wisconsin does not run tax lien sales the way some other states do. Nobody buys a certificate and sits back collecting interest. Portage County takes the full property title itself, then sells the property outright. That is the entire difference between a “tax deed” and a “tax lien,” and it is why you will not find lien investing anywhere in this state.

Who Is Behind the Sale

Pamela R. Przybelski serves as Portage County Treasurer, and her office manages the whole process from the first missed tax payment to the final auction listing. When parcels are ready, the office publishes them on the county site and hands the bidding side over to Wisconsin Surplus.

From Missed Payment to Public Auction

Timeline	What Happens
September 1	A lien is placed on any parcel with unpaid real estate taxes
Next two years	Owner can pay off the debt and keep the property
After the grace period	County begins the legal steps to take the title
Title transfers	Portage County becomes the legal owner
Notice published	Parcel list and minimum bids appear in the local paper and county website
Auction runs	Wisconsin Surplus opens bidding for a set window, usually a few weeks
Deed recorded	Winning bidder pays, then records the deed

Before You Place a Bid

A tax deed sale is not like buying a house through a realtor. Here is what separates it from a normal purchase.

Factor	Tax Deed Property	Regular Home Sale
Condition	Sold as is, no repairs made	Seller may fix issues before closing
Interior access	Rarely offered	Usually included in a showing
Price	Set minimum bid, competitive auction	Negotiable between buyer and seller
Disclosures	None required	Seller must disclose known defects
Title check	Buyer’s own responsibility	Often handled by a title company

Because of that gap, do this homework before you bid on anything:

• Look up the parcel’s tax and ownership history using the county’s property search tools.
• Contact the Register of Deeds to check for old liens still tied to the land.
• Call the local town, village, or city office to confirm what the property can legally be used for.
• Drive by the property in person if you are able. Interior walkthroughs are almost never offered.
• Set aside extra money beyond your bid for repairs, cleanup, or unpaid fees.

How to Actually Get Your Bid In

Quick Reference

Item	Detail
County agency	Portage County Treasurer
Treasurer	Pamela R. Przybelski
Auction partner	Wisconsin Surplus
Sale type	Tax deed, full transfer of ownership
Current auction window	March 18 to April 7, 2026
Property condition	Sold as is
Phone	(715) 346-1348
Address	1516 Church Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481

Common Questions About Portage County Tax Deeds

Sources:
Portage County Wisconsin Tax Deed Land Sale
Portage County Wisconsin Treasurer
Portage County Wisconsin Website

Related Links:

• Portage County OH – Tax Deed Auction
• Portage County
• Washington County

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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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