Behind on Property Taxes in Michigan?

Unpaid property taxes don't just add up, in Michigan they eventually hand your house to the county. The good news: if you act before foreclosure, the equity is still yours to keep.

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How Michigan tax foreclosure actually works

Michigan runs on a roughly three-year clock. Taxes that go unpaid become delinquent and get turned over to the county treasurer. About a year later the property is forfeited (not lost yet, but the clock speeds up and fees mount). If it's still unpaid, the county gets a judgment of foreclosure around March 31 of the third year, and at that point ownership transfers to the county. After the judgment, you generally lose the house.

The key date is that March 31 foreclosure judgment. Sell before it and you walk away with your equity. Let it pass and the county takes the property. Recent Michigan law lets former owners claim some surplus proceeds from a tax-foreclosure sale, but that process is slow and uncertain, selling first keeps you in control.

Selling wipes the tax debt and preserves your equity

When we buy the house, the delinquent taxes get paid off directly out of the closing, you don't write a check, and the lien is cleared as part of the sale. Whatever equity is left after the taxes and any mortgage is yours. For most owners that's far better than losing the whole property to a foreclosure judgment and fighting later for a piece of it.

We can move fast when the clock is short

If you're close to a forfeiture or foreclosure date, timing matters. We buy as-is and can close quickly, often in a couple of weeks, so a looming county deadline doesn't turn into a lost house. No repairs, no listing, no waiting on a buyer's mortgage approval.

Common questions

How much time do I really have?

It depends where you are in the three-year cycle. The safe move is to check with your county treasurer and get an offer now, before the March 31 judgment date.

Do I have to pay the back taxes first?

No. The delinquent taxes are paid out of the sale proceeds at closing, you don't need cash up front.

Will I get anything if there's a mortgage too?

Often yes. After the taxes and mortgage are paid, any remaining equity goes to you.

Beat the foreclosure clock

See an estimated cash offer in about a minute, we handle the back taxes at closing and you keep your equity. Free and no obligation.

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