PONTIAC (WWJ) -- Over 300 foreclosed properties in Oakland County will be available to bid on next month in a virtual auction.
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg said this first virtual auction will give more people access to view the 374 properties available for purchase on August 12.
Wittenberg added that virtual sales will provide increased transparency and operational efficiencies.
"We're excited to introduce the Virtual Tax Foreclosed Property Auction in Oakland County and provide greater public access, increased transparency and operational efficiencies at no cost to taxpayers," said Wittenberg. "When foreclosed properties are reimagined or developed into housing, public spaces and community gardens, they strengthen and revitalize our communities."
Previously, the auction was known as the Oakland County Land Sale Auction.
The Oakland County Treasurer's Office has engaged Title Check at no cost to taxpayers -- as bidders pay a buyer's premium on their purchase -- to manage the virtual tax foreclosure auction.
"We are pleased to be working with the Oakland County Treasurer's office to bring their tax sale online," said Marty Spaulding, general manager of Tax-Sale.Info. "Tax property auctions across the state return tax delinquent property ... often habitually delinquent ... to productive use and reduce the burden on local operating budgets. They also bring new vision and energies to properties often ignored for years. We make efforts to educate prospective buyers, and ensure the bidding process is accessible and transparent."
Interested bidders may view the properties, create an account and set their preferred bid amounts before the auction closes here.
To participate in the virtual tax foreclosure property auction, new bidders must register for a free user account and submit a credit card pre-authorization before bidding. The credit card pre-authorization is valid for 30 days.
• Advance bidding allows bids to be placed, modified and deleted. This will begins 30 days before the posted auction start time and will end at 10 a.m. on the posted auction date.
• Active bidding begins at 10 a.m. on the posted auction date and continues until 7 p.m. that evening. During active bidding, new bids and increased bids may be placed but bids may not be deleted or decreased. Winning bidders will receive an email notification after bidding closes along with payment and document requirements.
• For interested bidders without internet access, a phone bidding system is available by calling (800) 259-7470. The Oakland County Treasurer's Office is also providing in-person public access to computers during business hours on Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Residency proof or an appointment is not required.
For more information, visit tax-sale.info or call the Oakland County Treasurer's Office at (248) 858-0611 or send an email to treasurer@oakgov.com.
