Tax Deed Sale Checklist
What to do when your Cook County property is facing a tax deed sale - know your rights and your timeline.
What to do when your Cook County property is facing a tax deed sale - know your rights and your timeline.
In Cook County, delinquent property taxes are sold at the Annual Tax Sale. A tax buyer purchases the tax lien - not the property itself. You retain ownership during the redemption period.
Illinois law provides a redemption period (typically 2-3 years for residential property) to pay back delinquent taxes plus penalties and interest.
Contact the Cook County Clerk's Office or search online at cookcountytreasurer.com to find your property's tax sale status and any outstanding amounts.
The redemption amount includes: original delinquent taxes, penalties (up to 12% every 6 months), plus the tax buyer's costs. Contact the County Clerk for exact figures.
When the redemption period is about to expire, the tax buyer must serve a "Take Notice" - formal legal notification. This is your final warning that a Tax Deed petition is coming.
Tax deed proceedings are complex. An attorney can verify proper notice was given, check for procedural defects, and explore your options.
You can redeem by paying the full amount, sell the property to a cash buyer before the deed issues, or negotiate with the tax buyer.
Cash buyers like Sell Chicago Properties can close in days. We handle tax arrears at closing, and you keep any remaining equity.
Collect property tax bills, any correspondence from the Cook County Clerk, notices from the tax buyer, and your property deed.
Once a tax deed is issued by the court, you lose all ownership rights. The time to act is NOW - before the petition hearing date.
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Facing a tax deed sale? We can buy your property for cash before the deadline - and handle the delinquent taxes at closing.
Learn About Our Tax Delinquency SolutionsDelinquent taxes do not have to cost you your property. Sell for cash and keep your equity before the tax deed hearing.