Bid Process

The Bid Process
Please ensure you have read through the process thoroughly and have taken a look at our FAQ page before placing your bid!

Before you bid…

Please satisfy yourself as to the validity of the legal description, the physical address, actual boundaries, and any easements or covenants tied to the property. The property you purchase is sold “as is, where is, and without warranty, express or implied, as to the condition of the property, title, or use to which the property may be put and restricted to the property described in the legal description obtained by the entities through foreclosure.” Addresses and pictures are provided for your information in determining the location of the property and are not binding of of any sale.

How do you place a bid?

This is a sealed bidding process. After clicking the Bid Now button, review and agree to the terms of purchase. Then you may fill out all the necessary information and your chosen bid amount. Please identify all individuals or companies you want to be named as an owner in your bid. That owner information will be used in the preparation of the deed. Once the deed is prepared and recorded, no further changes will be made on the part of the participating governmental entities.

How much can you bid?

The minimum bid that will be considered is $50.00 unless otherwise specified, plus any additional deed and recording fees. The current appraisal value is listed for your information, but that is not the “minimum” bid. Bid what you think will win the property based on its importance to you. Just be prepared to pay that figure, in full, should your bid be accepted!

Why would your bid not be accepted?

The highest bidder will win the property and the bid must be considered and approved by all taxing entities in the corresponding County that the property resides in. A bid will not be accepted if the bidder or the designated purchaser: owes delinquent taxes on other property in the county; owes any unpaid fines or fees to the municipality/county where the property is located; or owns other property in the municipality/county that is subject to existing penalties for codes enforcement. The participating governmental entities reserve the right to reject or accept any bids for any reason.

How do you know if you won?

The winning bidder will be notified via email or phone, using the information provided when the bid was placed. We do ask that payment is sent within two weeks of receiving the winning notification. Upon receipt of payment and the applicable deed/recording fees, a Tax Deed will be prepared and sent to all local taxing entities for consideration. Please allow up to 3 months for your bid to be considered. If all of the appropriate entities approve your bid, we will then send the deed to be recorded and filed. The recorded deed will then be forwarded to the purchaser at the address that accompanied the successful bid.

The Bid Process
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Trust Property?

A Trust Property is a property that has gone through the tax foreclosure process and did not sell at a tax sale. Since it did not sell at a tax sale it is struck off to the taxing entities in trust. Texas Communities Group is contracted to manage and resell these properties in an effort to improve the state of the community and make use of both abandoned and foreclosed property.

Where do I go to find out more information about the property?

The local appraisal district has maps and plats, in addition to legal descriptions and physical location information which is open to the public. The local County Clerk’s office has all deed information and these records are also open to the public. You may also want to seek legal counsel on your behalf, if you so choose.

What is a Property ID/ Parcel ID/ R number?

A property ID/ parcel ID/ R number is a number that is assigned to the property by the local tax office. This number is used to identify the property for various tax, deed, and title purposes. You can use this parcel number to search for more information about the property, by visiting your local county appraisal district’s website and entering the number into their Property Search engine.

Why is the legal description included in the listing?

The property you are purchasing is what is stated in the legal description. The property addresses and pictures are provided for your information in determining the location of the property, but may not be what is actually conveyed by the legal description. The address and photo of the property are for use as an aid only and are not binding of any sale. The pictures may contain property which is not included in the purchase. It is your responsibility to satisfy yourself as to the validity of the legal description, the physical address, actual boundaries, and any easements or covenants tied to the property.

How many times can I bid on a property?

You can bid above the minimum as many times as you wish, on any property. A bid may be denied if the amount is deemed an insufficient dollar amount for the property. Please be advised that should you win a property you placed multiple bids on, the highest of all your bids will be the winning bid. A separate bid will need to be placed for each property you wish to purchase. If your bid is approved by all appropriate entities, the information provided when the bid was placed will be used to prepare the deed, so please ensure each time you make a bid that it is entered exactly how you would want it on the deed. A bid may also be denied if the information submitted does not properly identify the bidder or purchaser.

Am I required to pay a deposit when placing my bid?

You are not required to pay a deposit when placing your bid. Payment will only be required should your bid win the property. We do ask that payment is sent within two weeks of receiving the winning notification. If we do not receive payment or have not made contact with you in those two weeks, only two additional attempts will be made to get in contact before processing your bid for cancellation.

If I win a property, who do I pay?

If you win a property, you will be contacted as soon as possible. Next steps as far as sending in payment will be provided to you at the time of notification. The collection process for each county may vary.

Since these are primarily tax foreclosure properties, do I have to pay all the delinquent taxes due?

No. Winning bidders are responsible for paying any current year taxes due on the property, only once the deed is recorded into your name.

What is a recording/deed fee?

A recording fee is the fee that the local County Clerk charges to get the deed recorded and filed. The amount for the recording fee can vary, however it typically ranges from $40.00 – $80.00. The deed fee is $100.00 and is to cover the resources used for property research and deed preparation. Should you win a property, you pay the amount of your bid + deed fee ($100.00 ) + recording fee ($varies).

Can I pay online?

Unfortunately, no. At this point in time we are not set up to take online payment. We ask that payment is sent via mail with either a cashier’s check or money order. We do not accept personal checks. All payments should be sent to us at: Texas Communities Group, P.O. Box 792, Lubbock, TX 79408

Could it really take 3 months to get my deed approved?

Yes. Purchasing trust property is not for everyone. The frequency of when the taxing entities meet varies depending on the location and the entity. Some meet monthly, while others only meet quarterly. We ask that you allow up to 3 months for the deed to be added to the appropriate agendas and considered by the necessary entities.

Do I get my money back if my bid is denied? Will you tell me why it got denied?

Yes. Should your bid get denied by one, or all, of the local taxing entities, you will be notified as soon as possible. 100% of your payment and recording/deed fee will be mailed back to you at the provided address. The reason for denial provided by the entity will be relayed to you.

Is Texas Communities Group a law firm?

No. Texas Communities Group does not provide legal services. TCG is an affiliate of the Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott, LLP law firm.

What is Perdue Brandon?

Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins and Mott, LLP is a law firm and the parent company of TCG. The firm provides legal services related to the collection of government payments, including tax foreclosure sales of real property.

Is Texas Communities Group affiliated with Reboot Texas?

Yes. Reboot Texas is the 501(c()3)tax-exempt/charitable affiliate of TCG, dedicated to revitalizing small Texas communities and funding community cleanup projects throughout the state. To find out more about Reboot Texas, or get information on how you can make a donation, click here.