Why does the Butte County sell tax-defaulted property?

The primary purpose of a tax sale is to collect taxes that have not been paid by the property owner for at least five years. Offering property at public auction achieves this by either selling the property or by forcing payment of the property taxes. During those five years, the taxpayer has repeatedly been offered payment plans and still has the ability to remove the parcel from the sale by paying the taxes in full by 5 pm the day before the auction. If the property is sold, lienholders and the former owner may claim proceeds in excess of the taxes and costs of the sale.

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1. Why does the Butte County sell tax-defaulted property?
2. Can I obtain title to a property on the tax sale list by paying the delinquent taxes prior to the tax sale date? Does the county sell tax lien certificates?
3. Who is notified of the sale?
4. Is a tax sale publicly advertised?
5. When does the right to redeem a tax-defaulted property on the auction list cease?
6. How is the minimum bid on a tax sale property determined?
7. Does Butte County guarantee the property?
8. Do liens or encumbrances on a tax-defaulted property transfer to the new owner after purchase of the property at a tax sale?
9. How do I find a property I’d like to bid on at the tax sale?
10. How can I determine what use I can make of a tax sale property before I purchase it?
11. How can I find out if a property I am interested in has been withdrawn from the sale (for payment of taxes or any other reason)?
12. How can I register as a bidder?
13. How does the bidding process work?
14. How can a successful bidder pay for a property at the tax sale?
15. If I am the successful bidder, how can I hold title (vesting)?
16. How soon can I take possession of a property after purchase at the tax sale?
17. What steps should I take if there are occupants living on the property or personal property left on the premises?
18. Is property purchased in a tax sale eligible for title insurance?
19. What happens to property that does not sell at the tax sale? Can the property be purchased directly from the county?
20. How can I get more information?
21. What happens if I am the successful bidder but decide that I don’t want the property after all?
22. How can I determine whether there are outstanding assessments or liens against an auction property?
23. Under what circumstances can the former owner challenge the validity of the auction?