Free lien-landmine check
Know what could sink a tax deed — before you bid.
The auction doesn't wipe every claim. IRS liens, unpaid HOA dues, and municipal liens can ride along with the deed. Pick your state to see what survives, the redemption window, and a pre-bid checklist.
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Illinois — what survives a tax sale
Illinois is a tax-lien state with ~24-month redemption window. These claims commonly survive the sale and become the buyer's problem:
- Federal / IRS tax liens — a properly-noticed sale extinguishes them, but the IRS keeps a 120-day right of redemption, so treat any IRS-lien parcel as elevated risk.
- Governmental & municipal liens — special assessments, CDD/POA, water/sewer, and demolition liens can survive in many states.
- Code-enforcement liens — often survive and can be large.
- Easements & deed restrictions of record.
- City of Chicago water liens
- Building code violation fines
HOA / condo dues: in most states (e.g. Florida, per Fla. Stat. 197.552) a properly-noticed tax deed extinguishes prior private HOA assessments — but treatment varies by state, and governmental CDD/POA assessments can survive. Verify with the association and county.
What the sale usually clears
- Private mortgages & deeds of trust — extinguished if the lender was properly noticed.
- Most junior judgment liens — wiped if the lienholder was noticed.
- The prior owner's interest — subject to their redemption right until it expires.
24,308
Illinois parcels DeedFlex tracks & scores
4,209
carrying a lien flag worth verifying
Your 6-point pre-bid checklist
- Pull the parcel record from the county appraiser.
- Order a pre-sale title search or abstract ($50–$200).
- Check for a Notice of Federal Tax Lien at the county clerk (IRS liens survive).
- Call the HOA directly — don't trust the title report alone.
- Check the city for code-enforcement / municipal liens.
- Confirm the redemption window and what it pays.
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Educational use only — not legal, tax, or investment advice. DeedFlex surfaces data and flags we find from public records; lien and redemption rules vary by state and county and change over time. Always verify liens, title, and auction rules directly with the county and a qualified title professional or attorney before bidding. DeedFlex makes no guarantee of accuracy, completeness, or investment outcome.