Wayne County Tax Sale Research & Auction Data

Wayne County's tax foreclosure auction is one of the largest municipal property sales in the United States, driven primarily by Detroit's ongoing inventory of tax-reverted properties. The county operates under Michigan's tax foreclosure system, which transfers properties to county ownership after three years of delinquency before offering them at public auction. The auction runs in multiple rounds: the first round offers properties at minimum bids equal to total taxes owed plus fees, often resulting in opening bids under $1,000 for vacant lots. Unsold properties move to subsequent rounds with reduced minimums. The sheer volume—often 10,000+ parcels annually—creates both opportunity and risk. Many properties carry title complications, demolition liens, or neighborhood conditions that explain their low prices. Research before bidding is not optional here; it's survival.