2025 Fall Land Sale (TS48)
On-line registration starts October 8, 2025 at PublicSurplus.com
Online bidding will begin October 20, 2025, and continue until noon (12:00 pm Alaska Standard Time) on November 5, 2025.
An interactive map of sale properties and this brochure are available online at: Matanuska-Susitna Borough - Land Sales (matsu.gov)
For information regarding online registration or bidding please visit Public Surplus at Publicsurplus.com
A tax foreclosure sale is being held by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough (Borough) for real properties deeded to the Borough by Clerk's Deed as a result of delinquent real property taxes.
These parcels have been offered in prior competitive or over-the counter tax and LID foreclosure sales and did not sell. The legal procedures for the Borough to hold a tax and LID foreclosure sale are provided in Alaska Statute and Borough Code. The Borough reserves the right to withdraw any parcel from this sale for any reason.
The minimum bid price for TS48-01 & TS48-02 is the total resulting from delinquent taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs associated with the tax foreclosure and sale. Pursuant to Alaska Statute (AS 29.45.470(a)), these properties may be repurchased by the former record owner(s) at any time before sale or contract of sale of the property. The right of repurchase by the owner of record at the time of the foreclosure or assigns of that record owner, ceases upon sale or contract of sale of the property.
The minimum bid price for TS48-03 thru TS48-10 is a percentage of the estimated market value as assessed by the Borough's Assessments Division.
Bidder registration will be available through Public Surplus (auction contractor) beginning October 8, 2025.
A buyer's premium of 5% will be added to the winning bid to pay for the online auction services.
The Borough is not obligated to sell the properties identified for sale through this program or pay any costs incurred by parties participating in the submission or preparation of bids. Per MSB 23.10.190, MSB 23.10.090, and Land and Resource Management's PPMs, the Borough reserves the right to: 1) review and reject any and all bids, 2) reject any and all parties whom it has determined do not meet the qualification requirements; 3) waive or accept any informality in the offers received; 4) withdraw any property from this sale at any time for any reason; and 5) reserves the right to postpone, adjourn, or annul the auction in part or in whole.
Bidders are responsible for completing and submitting all documentation required during the auction registration. It is the bidder's responsibility to check with the Land & Resource Management Division for any changes or corrections prior to registering to bid. Land & Resource Management staff will only offer general assistance in answering questions relating to the bid process.
These are "all cash" sales. There is no financing offered by the Borough for these properties.
By registering to bid, you agree to abide by the rules set forth by the Borough and by the auction contractor; and you agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the Borough, its elected and appointed officials, agents and employees, harmless from liability of any nature or kind regarding economic loss, damages or any other kind of loss sustained arising from participation in or acquiring property through TS48.
Borough staff are not allowed to give you legal advice. You are urged to consult various professionals such as architects, engineers, surveyors, title examiners, and real estate attorneys before deciding to bid.
For the most up-to-date information, contact Jill Irsik, Land & Resource Management Division, 907-861-7866.
Online Registration
Registration will open October 8, 2025. All bidders must register on the Public Surplus website (www.publicsurplus.com). It will be the responsibility of the applicant to submit bids online for one or more properties and perform under the Terms and Conditions of Public Surplus and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Registration to participate in the online auction via the online platform will be facilitated by Public Surplus. All interested online bidders will need to complete the online vetting process established by the auction contractor prior to participating in the auction. This may include submission of notarized documents. As a result, the auction contractor will establish a set deadline to complete online bidder registration.
Bid Deposits
The Borough requires bid deposits to ensure fairness to all bidders. The bid deposit amount will be specified in the general description of the subject property. Bid deposit(s) are requested via credit card upon submitting a bid. Follow the instructions on the Public Surplus website (www.publicsurplus.com). A credit card hold will be placed on each deposit. If you are not a winning bidder, Public Surplus will reverse your deposit.
Deposit Forfeiture
In the event the winning bidder does not follow through to properly complete the sales transaction, the bid deposit may be retained by Public Surplus as a deposit forfeiture. The applicant, in any event, shall remain responsible for any costs incurred as a result of participation in the sale. The Borough shall not be responsible to pay any expenses for any reason resulting from agreements to which the Borough was not a party. Winning bidders that do not complete the transaction may be banned from future sales the Borough conducts, and/or banned by the company the Borough uses to conduct the auction.
Bidding
A bid is an irrevocable offer to purchase property. The Borough reserves the right to pursue all available legal remedies against a non-paying bidder. A bidder is legally and financially responsible for all properties bid upon whether acting as oneself or acting as an agent. All bidders must be 18 years of age or older. Contact Public Surplus for instructions and questions pertaining to the registration process for this auction.
Online bidding will begin starting October 20, 2025, and continue until noon (12:00 Alaska Standard Time) on November 5, 2025.
You must be a qualified bidder to participate in the auction.
Any bidder who: (1) is a legally competent person under the laws of Alaska; and (2) has not failed to pay a deposit or payment due the Borough in relation to Borough-owned real property in the previous five years; and (3) is not currently in breach or default on any contract or lease for real property transactions in which the Borough has an interest; and (4) has not failed to perform under a contract or lease involving Borough-owned real property in the previous five years and the Borough has not acted to terminate the contract or lease or to initiate legal action; and (5) has not failed to perform under or is not in default of a contract with the Borough and is not delinquent in any payment to the Borough, may participate in this sale.
A buyer's premium of 5% will be added to the winning bid to pay for the online auction services. A buyer's premium is an additional amount added to the winning bid amount. For example: if the winning bid amount is $1,000.00, the buyer's premium will be $50.00, making the total amount due $1,050.00. Please take this additional amount into consideration when bidding on properties in this sale.
The Borough is not liable for the failure of any device which prevents a person from participating in any sale. "Device" includes but is not limited to: computers and other equipment to access the internet, hardware, networks, software applications, and web sites.
If any party is the successful Bidder on multiple properties in a single sale, only payment for all properties will be accepted. Selective payments will not be allowed, and all transactions will be deemed in default, resulting in the properties being offered to the next highest bidder.
The Borough may retain backup submittals on any property. In the event the first submittal fails to properly complete, sign and return all required forms and funds under the terms and conditions required in this brochure, fails to follow through with closing the transaction, or is not qualified to purchase a property under the terms and conditions of this brochure, the acceptance of that submittal will be cancelled by the Borough. Subsequent submittals for the same property, if any, will be notified based on the next highest bid. This process will continue until the Borough has obtained a qualified Purchaser under Borough code, or when no backup submittals remain.
Bid Packet
The bid packet can be found online at www.matsu.gov and at www.publicsurplus.com.
The bidder is responsible for reading the Borough's 2025 Fall Land Sale Bid Packet and the Terms and Conditions for online bidding.
Comments concerning this packet must be made in writing. Comments based on omissions, errors, or content of this document, may be disallowed if not made in writing and received at the Borough address given below no later than October 31, 2025. Address all comments to: Land & Resource Management, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, 350 East Dahlia, Palmer, Alaska 99645.
Closing
Within 24 hours of the close of the auction, the winning bidders will be contacted using the contact information provided in the bidder's registration information. It is the bidders' responsibility to be available to confirm all required information for the sale. Upon verification of identity, the winning bidder will be emailed a Bidder Qualification Form for electronic signature, as well as a Sale Deed Information Form. Once the bidder(s) have been deemed qualified bidders, a Promissory Note for electronic signature will be sent (see attached draft promissory note for review). Only the name of the winning bidder AND those parties named as buyer(s) on the Bidder Qualification Form and Sale Deed Information Form will be included on the Promissory Note and the Tax and Foreclosure Deed as the grantee(s). All named buyers or their agent must execute the Bidder Qualification Form and promissory note.
If a winning bidder is represented by another individual, a Special Power of Attorney must be recorded in the recording district of the property being bought and a copy submitted to the Borough.
Applicants wishing to purchase a property under a business/corporation name shall comply with the following:
A business applicant shall only be acceptable as a legally formed LLC or Corporation in good standing with the state of origin and State of Alaska.
No property will be conveyed under the title of "doing business as" (dba).
Authority to sign on behalf of an LLC/Corporation shall be submitted to the Borough along with copies of current Alaska business license.
The total purchase price, to include the 5% buyer's premium, must be paid in full no later than 5:00 p.m., November 18, 2025. Payment can be made in person or mailed. Payment must be made in the form of certified funds only (money order or a certified cashier's check). Personal checks or two-party checks will not be accepted. Certified funds must be made payable to Matanuska-Susitna Borough (MSB). In the event the total is not paid in full by the deadline provided above, the property may be offered to a backup bidder, or the property may be added to the Borough's property inventory for potential disposal at a later date.
Results of the auction will be made available on the Land Management website at www.matsu.gov when all of the Sale Deeds have been recorded.
Title
The Borough's interest to all properties shall be conveyed without any warranty by quitclaim deed. The quitclaim deed is issued for anyone purchasing a Borough tax foreclosed and deeded property. The quitclaim deed only transfers whatever interest the Borough has in the property to the successful bidder at the time of sale.
The name(s) and address of the successful bidder(s) on the Sale Deed Information Form shall carry forward to the Sale Deed. No name(s) will be added or removed before these documents are executed. It is the responsibility of the bidder to accurately complete the Bidder Qualification Form and Sale Deed Information Form including the name(s), type of entity (corporation, or association, etc.), and address of the party(s) as it is to appear on the deed. The recorded sale deed will be mailed to the successful bidder.
The Borough does not guarantee title to the properties and makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, nor assumes any liability whatsoever, regarding but not limited to the social, economic, or environmental aspects of any property, to include without limitations, the soil conditions, water drainage, practical or feasible physical access, availability of personal use wood supplies now or in the future, natural or artificial hazards, merchantability, suitability or profitability of the property for any use or purpose.
Pursuant to Alaska Statute and Federal law, property in the sale may be subject to prior recorded tax liens of the United States and the State that are not extinguished by the Borough's foreclosure. If you wish to negotiate with the IRS or State of Alaska regarding possible discharge of their liens, you must contact those organizations directly. Also, properties may be affected by one or more existing or pending Borough or city LID special assessments. It is the bidder's responsibility to determine and assume the costs.
If you need to have the title to the property insured, you should consult a title company prior to bidding to determine if title insurance will be available, under what terms and conditions, and at what cost. The Borough is not responsible for clearing title or determining the adequacy of any documents or information needed to do so. Buyers should be aware that having the ability to obtain a title insurance policy does not necessarily mean the title will be clear of liens and encumbrances. It is important to read and understand all exceptions and limitations of such a commitment and policy. Additionally, the Borough does not guarantee the suitability for any particular use or purpose whatsoever on any of these properties.
Property Location
Properties to be sold are located throughout the Borough. The Borough assumes no liability for matters concerning the property regardless of whether they would have been disclosed by a physical inspection of the property and by reviewing property information.
A brief property description is provided for informational and identification purposes only. It should not be construed as a complete legal description. The Borough reserves the right to accurately describe the property by a complete legal description in the Sale Deed.
Perspective bidders are strongly encouraged to personally inspect each property and review the property information available online at www.matsu.gov.
ALL PROPERTIES IN THIS SALE WILL BE SOLD "AS IS -WHERE IS". All property inspections are done at your own risk. Some properties may be occupied or may have previously been occupied by private parties. Never enter an occupied dwelling without the occupant's permission. Do not use force or other means of entry if the doors are locked. Do not enter a dwelling or structure that may appear unsafe. The Borough has not done any site assessments to determine the presence of any hazardous material, hazardous waste or above ground or underground tanks or containers on any of these properties.
USE EXTREME CAUTION - ANY SALE PROPERTY MAY BE UNSAFE,
MAY CONTAIN HARMFUL MATERIALS, OR MAY BE OR MAY HAVE BEEN OCCUPIED, ESPECIALLY:
TS48-01 and TS48-02
The Borough obtained ownership by foreclosure for non-payment of taxes and has no information regarding any well or septic system that may be installed on the property. It is the responsibility of the bidder to contact the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, Wasilla Office, for well or septic records relating to any of the properties.
It is the responsibility of the bidder to determine the cost and feasibility of extending and connecting to any utility facilities, including electric, natural gas, and telephone, or if public sewer or water systems serve any of the properties.
It is the responsibility of the bidder to, among other things, investigate and determine the actual size of the property and property boundaries, regulations, restrictions and potential defects, including those created by prior use, which would affect the use of any property offered in this sale. The feasibility and costs to remedy defects, such as obtaining permits, variances, engineered septic systems and the like, should be determined prior to submitting a bid on a property. All such costs shall be borne by the buyer. No adjustments to a bid price or reimbursement to a bidder will be made by the Borough.
The Borough does not guarantee that the 11" X 17" sale notice posting signs will remain on the properties posted throughout the sale period.
Maps, Access, and Land Use
Parcel, plat, and vicinity maps, and property profiles provided on the Borough and auction contractor's websites, are a visual representation of data compiled from various sources and are not intended to replace on-ground inspections or actual surveys of the property boundaries. Any physical or geographic features, rights-of-way or road locations, acreage and boundaries depicted on maps are estimates only. These items are provided for informational reference only and should not be construed as a factual representation of matters such as physical location, access, property size, boundaries, soil conditions or capabilities, and other matters contained thereon. The Borough has no responsibility for completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty, nor assumes any liability whatsoever for the information included, or that monumentation indicated on surveys or plats are currently in place.
Access may be shown on maps and plats. Bidder is responsible for determining if access is legal, constructed, or maintained. It is the responsibility of the buyer to determine, acquire, locate, construct, maintain and defend the right to use any access route selected for use by the buyer.
The Borough Planning & Land Use Department Development Services Division (907-861-7822) can assist you in determining whether any Borough regulations will apply to activity on the respective property. If the property is located within a city, the buyer is also responsible for meeting city land use and building regulations, and permit requirements, and those of other federal, state, and local agencies.
It is the responsibility of the bidder to determine if there are any covenants or if a homeowner's association is active and if any fees are assessed by the association.
Taxes and Special Assessments
You are responsible for payment of future taxes and any outstanding or future special assessments on any property that you purchase. Contact the Borough Assessment Division, 907-861-8642, and/or the Collections Division, 907-861-8610, for information regarding property taxes, exemptions, and to verify the payment due date of any outstanding or future special assessment. If the property is located within a city boundary, you will also need to contact the city to determine any special assessment(s) pending or due to the city.