ANOKA COUNTY TAX-FORFEITED LAND
TERMS OF SALE – ONLINE
(Inventory Sale-M.S. 282.01 and Settlement-Sale Sec. 10.
Laws 2024, chapter 113, section 1, subdivision 2)
Effective 10/1/2024
Information about the sale of tax-forfeited land in Anoka County can be obtained from the Property Records and Taxation Department located at 2100 3rd Ave, Suite 119, Anoka, MN 55303. Sale information is also available from our website anokacountymn.gov or call 763-323-5400.
SALE PRICE/BIDS
Parcels included in this sale are appraised and offered for purchase and sold to the highest bidder. The minimum bid/appraised value listed is the lowest acceptable base sale price. The highest bid amount becomes the final base sale price. Bids must be submitted prior to the deadline. Once the sale closes, bids will be verified. Both the successful and unsuccessful bidders will be notified.
PAYMENT TERMS
All bids must be paid in full in the office of the County Auditor. Installment plans are not available. The successful bidder shall have 10 business days from the date of the notification to fulfill payment including the additional costs and fees listed below. Cashier’s checks, Money Orders, certified checks and personal checks made payable to Anoka County are all accepted.
ADDITIONAL COSTS AND FEES EXAMPLE (not included in the Base Sale Price):
The additional costs and fees listed below must be paid in two separate transactions.
Check 1
State Assurance Fee 3% of the base sale price (pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 284.28, Subd. 8)
State Deed Cost $25.00
Check 2
Recording Fee $46.00
Conservation Fee $5.00
State Deed Tax
Sales $3,000 or less $1.65
Sales $3,001 or more 0.0033 x base sale price
BUYER PREMIUM
A Buyer Premium of 5% will be added to the final base sale price with a $1 minimum charge per auction to collect payment. The premium will be visible during the bidding process and will be included in the payment required.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
All property is sold “AS IS”
Sales are subject to existing leases, building restrictions appearing of record at the time of forfeiture and to easements obtained by any governmental subdivision or agency thereof for any public purpose.
The county makes no warranty that the land is buildable and it may not conform to local details of building codes or zoning laws.
Anoka County is not responsible for determining property lines or boundaries.
The appraised value does not represent a basis for future taxes.
The tax-forfeit parcel acquired will be combined with the purchaser’s adjoining property.
All sales are final and no refunds or exchanges are permitted.
The County reserves its right, under Minnesota Statutes Section 282.01, Subd. 7, to withdraw from sale any or all parcels identified in the sale.
TITLE
The successful bidder will receive an Auditor’s Certificate of Purchase for the parcel. The Commissioner of Revenue will issue a deed from the State of Minnesota. The law provides that this conveyance has the force and effect of a patent from the State. However, tax forfeiture creates a break in the chain of title, and services of an attorney may be necessary to make the title marketable.
Deeds for unplatted parcels will contain a restrictive covenant which will prohibit enrollment of the land in a state funded program providing compensation for conservation of marginal land or wetlands.
PROHIBITED PURCHASERS
In accordance with Minnesota Statutes Section 282.01, Subd. 7, any person who could have repurchased a parcel of property under Minnesota Statutes Sections 282.012 or 282.241, shall not be allowed to purchase that same parcel of property at the sale. Additional prohibited purchasers, not eligible to participate in tax-forfeit land sales, can be found in M.S. 282.016.
TAXES AND SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
Tax-forfeited property that is sold at auction on or before December 31st of any given year, shall have property taxes become payable in the following year.
If municipal special assessments were cancelled at forfeiture, the assessments may be reassessed by the municipality. Local improvements not yet assessed and special assessments levied after forfeiture must be assumed by the purchaser. All bidders are encouraged to contact the city/township to determine what if any special assessments may be charged.
PARCELS REMAINING UNSOLD
Any parcel not sold at a public sale may be purchased over-the-counter after the sale by paying the minimum bid and all other costs and fees. The minimum bid cannot be changed until the parcel is reappraised, republished, and approved/offered at another sale.
LEAD STATEMENT
Some properties may present exposure to lead from lead-based paint that may place young children at risk of developing lead poisoning. If you are interested in purchasing a single-family dwelling built prior to 1978, you have the right to conduct a risk assessment or inspection for lead-based paint hazards at your expense at least ten (10) days before the sale date. Please contact our office for more information.
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 concentrations are found. 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 real property is required to provide the buyer with any information on radon test results of the dwelling. Anoka County has not performed and is not aware of any radon testing on properties offered for sale, unless otherwise noted. The county will provide a copy of the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Radon in Real Estate Transactions” publication to any buyer of residential tax-forfeited property.
OBLIGATION OF BIDDER
Your bid is the same as a contract - only bid on land you are serious about buying. A winning bid constitutes a legally binding contract. The failure or omission of any bidder to inspect the site or examine any form, instrument or document shall in no way relieve any bidder from any obligation in respect to their bid.
ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
By submitting a bid, the bidder agrees that the bidder has read, fully understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions of Online Sales, and agrees to pay for, if the bid is accepted, by the dates and times specified.
NOTICE OF AWARD
Successful bidders will receive an automated email notification from Public Surplus. A second email notification will be sent by Anoka County with instructions for the required paperwork and payments.
DEFAULT
Default shall include (1) failure to observe these terms and conditions; or (2) failure to make good and timely payment; Default may result in termination of the bid contract and suspension from participation in all future sales. If the Buyer fails in the performance of their obligations, Anoka County may exercise such rights and pursue such remedies as are provided by law.