State statute
Madera: Auction General Information
California foreclosure, tax-defaulted, court-ordered and probate-sale law and official procedures — verbatim and citable.
- Edition
- 2026-09-27
- Last updated
- 2026-09-27
- Jurisdiction
- Madera County
Madera: Auction General Information¶
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Auction General Information
Public Online Auction . . . How It Works
When secured real property remains tax-defaulted for five years, it becomes subject to the Tax Collector's Power to Sell. The county tax collector may offer the property for sale at public auction, a sealed bid sale, or a negotiated sale to a public agency or qualified non-profit organization. Public auctions are the most common way of selling tax-defaulted property. The purpose of offering tax-defaulted property at auction is to collect the unpaid taxes and to convey the title of the property to a responsible owner. The auction is conducted by the county tax collector, and the property is sold to the highest bidder. The State Controller's website offers information about upcoming auctions throughout California.
The Madera County Tax Collector partners with Bid4Assets to provide Website Advertising and Auction Services for the annual defaulted property tax sale.
Did you know
If you want to participate in the County Tax Sale you must pre-register. Anyone wishing to participate as a bidder in our tax sale must be registered to bid.
Registration is not permitted through the mail. Refund of the bid deposit shall be made to unsuccessful bidders within ten business days after the close of the internet tax auction. Bid4assets shall transfer the deposit of the successful bidders to the County of Madera where the deposit shall be credited toward their purchases. Research the property prior to bidding. Due diligence research is incumbent on the bidder. The winning bidder is legally obligated to purchase the property.
To purchase a property through the online auction, you must be 18 years of age or older, be a valid registered bidder and submit the required deposit, and have sufficient payment in the proper form to complete your purchases.
Research Before You Invest
You should inspect the property before investing. The burden is on the purchaser to thoroughly research, before the sale, any matters relevant to the decision to purchase. The County's sole interest in the sale is the recovery of back taxes. Tax Collector cannot guarantee the current, future, or potential use and/or condition of the property nor assume responsibility for conformance to codes, permits or zoning ordinances. Tax-defaulted property will be sold on an as-is basis. Many title companies may not insure title on properties sold at public auction for at least one to five years after the tax deed has been recorded.