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Every month, Bexar County auctions off properties whose owners have fallen behind on their property taxes. For investors in the San Antonio area, these auctions can be a steady source of below-market deals. They also come with rules, deadlines, and risks that are easy to miss the first time through.
This guide walks through how the process works from start to finish. By the end, you'll know how to register, what to bring on sale day, how redemption rights affect your purchase, and how to find motivated owners before a property ever reaches the courthouse steps.
How the Tax Foreclosure Process Works
When a property owner stops paying taxes, the taxing units (the county, city, school district, and others) can file a lawsuit to collect. If the court rules in their favor and the debt still isn't paid, the property is ordered sold at a public auction. The proceeds go toward the unpaid taxes, penalties, interest, and court costs.
The most important thing to understand is that Texas sells the property itself, not a lien on it. The Bexar County Tax Office states plainly that selling property tax liens is prohibited in the state of Texas. The winning bidder receives a deed, although that deed is subject to the former owner's right to redeem (more on that below).
If you're new to auctions in general, our beginner's guide to tax sale auctions covers the basics that apply in most states.
Is There a Bexar County Tax Lien Sale?
No. Many investors search for lien sales because that's how the process works in states like Arizona or Florida. In Texas, what you're buying at the auction is a Bexar County tax deed sale property, with a redemption period attached. Some industry sites call Texas a "redeemable deed" state for this reason.
This matters because the way you earn a return is different. With a lien, you collect interest. With a redeemable deed, you either keep the property once the redemption period ends, or you're paid back your bid plus a premium if the owner redeems.
When and Where the Sale Happens
The auction is held on the first Tuesday of every month, between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. If that Tuesday falls on January 1 or July 4, the sale moves to Wednesday. It takes place on the west side of the Bexar County Courthouse, between the courthouse and the Paul Elizondo Tower.
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office runs the auction, and bidding is in person. Texas law allows counties to approve online auctions, but Bexar County has kept its sale at the courthouse. Before your first sale, it's worth calling the Sheriff's Civil Division to confirm nothing has changed.
How to Bid, Step by Step
The process is manageable once you know the order. Each step has its own deadline, so it helps to plan backward from the sale date.
| Step | What You Do | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Review the list | Check the properties and minimum bids posted by Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson | Around the 15th of the month before |
| 2. Get your tax statement | Request the notarized statement showing you owe no delinquent taxes ($10 fee) | Up to 10 business days to process; valid 90 days |
| 3. Register with the Sheriff | Register in person at the Sheriff's Civil Division | The week before, through the Monday before the sale |
| 4. Bid and pay | Pay your exact bid by cashier's check or money order to the Bexar County Sheriff | Within 2 hours after the sale |
| 5. Receive your deed | The Sheriff's Deed is issued with no title warranty | About 8 weeks after the sale |
A few details are easy to overlook. You can't register on sale day, you need to register again for every sale, and personal checks aren't accepted. Property lists are posted at taxsales.lgbs.com.
Understanding Redemption Rights
Under Texas Tax Code §34.21, the former owner can buy the property back after the sale. How long they have depends on the property type.
| Property Type | Redemption Period | Premium Owed to You |
|---|---|---|
| Homestead, agricultural land, or mineral interest | 2 years from when the deed is recorded | 25% in year one, 50% in year two |
| All other property | 180 days | Up to 25% |
Here's how that plays out. Say you win a homestead property with a $40,000 bid. If the owner redeems in the first year, they owe you $40,000 plus a $10,000 premium, plus your recording fees and any taxes you paid. If they redeem in the second year, the premium rises to $20,000.
That's a solid return, but it also means you shouldn't start a major renovation until the redemption period has passed.
What Happens to Properties That Don't Sell
If no one bids at least the minimum, the property is "struck off" to Bexar County, which holds it in trust for the taxing units. The county later resells these properties, either privately or at resale auctions approved by Commissioners Court. Struck-off buyers receive a quitclaim deed, and the same redemption rules apply.
These resales tend to draw fewer bidders, so they're worth watching if the monthly auction feels crowded.
Due Diligence Before You Bid
A Sheriff's Deed comes with no guarantees about the property's condition or title. Before bidding, work through a short checklist:
- Drive by the property and note its condition and whether it's occupied.
- Run a title search for IRS liens, code compliance liens, and other debts that may survive the sale.
- Confirm whether it's a homestead, since that determines the redemption period.
- Check how much is owed with our guide on how to find out if a property owes back taxes.
- Set a maximum bid that accounts for repairs, holding costs, and the redemption wait.
Finding Deals Before the Auction
Because the property list is public, everyone at the courthouse is looking at the same addresses. A quieter approach is to reach out to tax-delinquent owners months earlier, while they still have options. Many would rather sell for a fair price than lose the property at auction.
From here, you can pull a list of tax-delinquent properties in Texas, filter it down to Bexar County, and use DealMachine's skip tracing to find owner phone numbers and emails. If you'd also like to track mortgage foreclosures in the area, this walkthrough on finding Bexar County foreclosure sales with DealMachine covers the same workflow.
Bexar County tax sales reward investors who prepare early. Once your paperwork and research are in place, you're ready to bid with confidence, or to reach the owner first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bid online at the Bexar County tax auction?
Not at this time. Bexar County holds its monthly auction in person at the courthouse. Texas law allows online auctions if a county approves them, so confirm the current format with the Sheriff's Civil Division before each sale.
Where can I find the list of properties for the monthly auction?
Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson posts the list at taxsales.lgbs.com, usually around the 15th of the month before the sale. Minimum bids are posted around the same time.
Do I get clear title after buying at a Texas tax auction?
Not necessarily. The Sheriff's Deed has no title warranty, and some liens can survive the sale. Many investors wait out the redemption period and then work with a title company or attorney to clear title.
What are excess proceeds from a tax foreclosure sale?
If a property sells for more than what's owed, the extra money is held for lien-holders and the former owner. Under Texas Tax Code §34.04, claims must be filed with the court that ordered the sale within two years.
How much money do I need to bid?
You need the full amount of your winning bid, paid by cashier's check or money order within two hours of the sale. There's no partial deposit option, so bring certified funds that cover your maximum bid.