Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Calling all real estate investors: Here's a chance to buy some property in Erie County at a deep discount.
All you have to do is pay the back taxes and out bid others.
Sounds simple, but that is the case when it comes to Erie County's annual In Rem auction, which will be held by early fall, says Scott Bylewski, Erie County director of Real Property Tax Services.
The Erie County Legislature's Finance & Management Committee signed off on prepping and setting a date for the annual auction.
Bylewski said there are, potentially, as many as 1,600 properties that may be auctioned off this fall.
All listed property owners are, at least, three years behind in county taxes.
Although, once the county sends out, many pay the back taxes, Bylewski said.
"By the time we get to auction, there may only be 400 or so properties available," Bylewski said.
Last year, 2025, Erie County netted slightly more than $8 million in back taxes plus another $4 million from auction proceeds. In all, $12.2 million was received because of the In Rem proceedure.
"It's money we might not have otherwise seen," Bylewski said.
The available properties run the real estate gamut.
There's vacant parcels and commercial properties. There is also apartment buildings and single family homes.
Some owe less than $2,000 in back taxes. Others considerably more.
Once the auction gets underway, it is a cross section of bidders from local investors to out-of-town interests.
"It definitely draws attention," Bylewski said.