Real property that is offered for sale at a tax deed auction, but does not sell, may be placed on the List of Lands Available for purchase by the public. Properties remain on the list for up to three years, on a first come, first served basis. If no one purchases the property after three years, it automatically transfers ownership to Sarasota County through an escheatment process.

Purchase Property from List of Lands Available

Contact the Clerk and Comptroller's Tax Deed department to ask about the current cost of purchasing property on the List of Lands Available. The total cost will include:

• Opening bid at the time of the auction (past due taxes, plus the costs required to bring the property to sale and one-half of the assessed value, pursuant to F.S. 197.502(6)(c), if homestead exempt;
• All taxes incurred since the auction; and
• Costs to issue and record the Tax Deed, including documentary stamps.

Learn what forms of payment are accepted when purchasing property off the List of Lands Available.

Upon receipt of full payment and deeding information, the Clerk and Comptroller will:

• Issue a Tax Deed, indicating the change in property ownership.
• Record the Tax Deed into Sarasota County’s Official Records.
• Notify the county Property Appraiser and Tax Collector of the change in property ownership; and
• Mail the original Tax Deed to you after the document has been recorded. Additional copies can be obtained by searching Sarasota County Official Records by the new owner’s name or by contacting the Public Access department.

List of Lands Available 

To view properties available for purchase from the Sarasota County List of Lands Available, access the online Tax Deed records. Select a Case Status of “List of Lands – Available for Public”.

Contact the Clerk and Comptroller's Tax Deed department to ask about the current cost of purchasing property on the List of Lands Available.