Tax Forfeited Properties For Sale

A public auction of tax forfeited property was held on July 27, 2022.  The following parcels did not sell and are currently available for purchase “over the counter” at the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office in the Mower County Government Center, 201 1st Street NE, Austin, Minnesota.  

 

The basic sale price is the amount of the purchase price.   The basic sale price cannot be changed until the parcel is reappraised, republished, and offered for sale again at a later public sale.

 

Some properties are subject to special assessments by the city or township; so please contact the city or township for more details.  

 

As of 8/3/2022

LYLE TOWNSHIP

Parcel ID

Address

Legal Description

 

11.033.0101

N/A

.46AC NW COR NW1/4 NE1/4 S OF RR BK 253-266

Assessments Subject to Reassessment: 

$0.00

County Board Value:

$500.00

Basic Sale Price:

$500.00

CITY OF AUSTIN

Parcel ID

Address

Legal Description

 

34.235.0560

601 21st Ave NW

ELMHURST Lot 008 Block 004 

Assessments Subject to Reassessment: 

$2,730.64

County Board Value:

$20,000.00

Basic Sale Price:

$20,000.00

 

TERMS FOR THE SALE OF TAX-FORFEITED LAND IN MOWER COUNTY

CONDITIONS OF SALE

  • All property is sold in “AS IS” condition.  Prospective buyers should consult with the applicable zoning authority prior to the auction to be clear on allowable land use.
  • Subject to any existing leases, building restrictions, building codes and applicable zoning laws and to easements previously obtained by any governmental subdivision or agency thereof for any public purpose.
  • The purchaser understands and agrees that no representations have been made regarding the real property’s soil conditions, including but not limited to load bearing, compaction, contamination of any type, buildability, or any other conditions, by the Seller, Mower County, on behalf of the State of Minnesota, or the Seller’s employees or agents. A potential purchaser must obtain authorization from Mower County to perform soil testing, at their own expense, before purchasing a parcel by completing a Hold Harmless Agreement provided by the Auditor-Treasurer’s office. 
  • Mower County is not responsible for locating or determining property lines or boundaries.
  • The minimum sale price does not represent a basis for future taxes.

 

Liens:

  • Most mortgages and liens, except Federal and State tax liens, are cancelled and/or unenforceable after forfeiture. It is the responsibility of each potential bidder to thoroughly research this information and learn which mortgages and liens, if any, may remain in effect following the forfeiture.

 

Title:

  • The purchaser will receive a receipt at the time of the sale. The Commissioner of the Department of Revenue will issue a deed from the State of Minnesota after full payment is made. The law provides that this conveyance has the force and effect of a patent from the State. However, services of an attorney may be necessary to make the title marketable. In addition, all mineral rights are permanently reserved to the State of Minnesota.

 

Basic Sale Price:

  • All parcels are offered for sale and sold to the highest bidder. The minimum bid acceptable is the basic sale price which is shown on the list of tax forfeited land.   The basic sale price has been approved by the Mower County Board of Commissioners.  Extra fees and costs for special assessments levied after forfeiture as shown on the list of tax-forfeited land, in additional to the basic sale price, will be collected at the time of sale.  All sales are final, and no refunds or exchanges are permitted.

 

Special Assessments:

  • If a parcel has special assessments cancelled at forfeiture, as indicated on the list, the proceeds of the sale, less the administrative costs, will be first applied toward the cancelled assessment.  The municipality may reassess any remaining balance.

 

Resumption of Taxation:

  • Tax forfeited property purchased by a taxable party that is sold shall be placed on the assessment rolls for that year’s assessment and tax will be payable in the following calendar year.

 

Over the Counter Sales:

  • Parcels offered and not sold at the public auction may be purchased at the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office for the basic sale price plus the additional fees listed above, the following business day after the public sale.  These parcels cannot be sold for less than the basic sale price.  The basic sale price cannot be changed until the parcel is reappraised, republished, and offered for sale again at a later public sale.

 

Radon Warning Statement:

  • The Minnesota Department of Health strongly recommends that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy and recommends having the radon levels mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found.  Elevated radon concentrations can easily be reduced by a qualified, certified, or licensed, if applicable, radon mitigator.   Every buyer of an interest in residential real property is notified that the property may present exposure to dangerous levels of indoor radon gas that may place the occupants at risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer.  Radon, a Class A human carcinogen, is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers and the second leading cause overall.  The seller of any interest in residential property is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test results of the dwelling.
  • Mower County is not aware of any radon testing conducted on residential properties listed in this tax-forfeited land for public sale list.  Mower County is not aware of radon records, concentration levels or if a radon mitigation system is in place on any of the previously listed parcels for sale.

 

Prohibited Purchasers:

  • Minnesota Statutes, section 282.016, paragraph (a) prohibits the following persons, either as an agent or attorney for another person, from purchasing tax forfeited lands offered for public sale in the county for which the person performs duties: county auditor, county treasurer, county attorney, court administrator of the district court, county assessor, supervisor of assessments, deputy or clerk or an employee of such officer, a commissioner of tax forfeited lands or an assistant to such commissioner. A person prohibited from purchasing property under this section must not directly or indirectly have another person purchase it on their behalf for their own benefit or gain. 

 

Prior Owners:

  • Prior owners may not repurchase that same parcel of property at the sale.  Straw buyers or agents are also statutorily prohibited from purchasing at a public sale.
  • Possible redemption price for a prior owner to include:  Purchase price to include the sum of all taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs due at the time of forfeiture (as computed under Minnesota Statutes, section 282.251) and canceled as a result of forfeiture, plus any special assessments for improvements certified as of the date of sale. 
  • If a prior owner is interested in purchasing a property, please contact the Mower County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office for details before or after the sale.

 

Payment Terms: Cash, Cashier’s Check or Certified Check Only:

  • Sale of $1,000.00 or less – Full payment at sale to “Mower County”;
  • Sale of over $1,000.00 – minimum 20% down with balance due within 10 business days. 

 

Extra Fees and Costs: In Addition to the Basic Sale Price:

                The following extra fees will be collected when the basic sale price is paid in full:

  • State Surcharge............................... 3% of the basic sale price
  • State Deed Fee................................ $25.00
  • State Deed Tax................................ $0.0033 x purchase price or $1.65 when purchase price is

                                                                          $3,000.00 or less

  • Recording Fee................................. $46.00

 

Requirements to Complete Purchase:

  • Provide proof of identification – Driver’s License, State Identification Card, or US Passport.
  • Signature Requirements:
    1. Individuals:   If the property is purchased in more than one name, all parties must be present at the time of sale to sign all documents if power of attorney is not provided.
    2. Power of Attorney:  Any individual, business entity, or non-profit organization buying property from the County for another individual or group of individuals will not be allowed to sign the required documents unless proof of power of attorney is provided.
    3. Corporations:   If the property is purchased in the name of a corporation, an officer or officers of the corporation must be present to provide proof of signatory authority and to sign on behalf of the corporation.

 

The Mower County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office reserves the right to withhold or remove any parcels from the public auction prior to sale date.

 

If you have any questions about the process, you may contact Scott Felten, Mower County Auditor-Treasurer, at 507-437-9457; or Amanda Kiefer, Deputy Auditor-Treasurer at 507-437-9535.