Behind on property taxes in Lake City? Sell before a tax deed sale.
A local Florida buyer for houses with back taxes in Lake City. Two minutes to request an offer, and you choose the closing date.
- Written cash offer within 24 hours
- No obligation to accept
- You pick the closing date
Can I sell a house with back taxes in Lake City?
Yes. Back taxes are paid from the sale proceeds at closing, which redeems any tax certificate and stops a tax deed. In Florida you can redeem up until the tax deed is issued, so selling early protects your equity.
In Lake City, that means working with the Columbia County Clerk of Court's records and a Florida title company we close with regularly.
How tax lien works in Columbia County
Every tax lien situation in Columbia County, which includes Lake City follows Florida law. These are the stages and the local offices involved.
Taxes due
Florida property taxes are mailed in November and become delinquent if unpaid by April 1.
Tax certificate sale
The Columbia County Tax Collector sells a tax certificate on the unpaid taxes by June 1. The buyer earns interest; you still own the home.
Two-year clock
Two years after April 1 of the year the certificate was issued, the holder can apply for a tax deed (s. 197.502).
Tax deed auction
The Columbia County Clerk of Court schedules a public auction. For homestead property the opening bid includes half of the assessed value.
Redemption
You can redeem by paying the full amount owed any time before the tax deed is issued.
What's different about Lake City
Lake City is the Columbia County seat, at the junction of I-75 and I-10. Columbia County sits at the I-75/I-10 crossroads, with many rural homes, mobile homes on land, and acreage.
We buy houses with back taxes in Downtown Lake City, Fort White, Five Points, Watertown and Columbia City, and anywhere else in Lake City and the rest of Columbia County.
| County | Columbia County, North Florida |
|---|---|
| County seat | Lake City |
| Court for tax lien cases | Columbia County Circuit Court (3rd Judicial Circuit) |
| Official records & court sales | Columbia County Clerk of Court |
| Property taxes | Columbia County Tax Collector |
| Where we buy | Downtown Lake City, Fort White, Five Points, Watertown, Columbia City |
Before you sell in Lake City
A cash sale isn't the only path. Lake City homeowners in this spot usually weigh pay in full, installment plan, refinance and sell for cash. If keeping the house or listing it makes more sense, we'll say so.
Compare every option in the Florida guide →- Several years of taxes are unpaid
- A tax certificate was sold on the property
- You received a tax deed application notice
- The house needs work you can't afford
Three steps. Your schedule.
No listing, no staging, and no strangers walking through your Lake City house. Here's the whole process.
Tell us about the house
Share the address and a few details online or by phone. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Get a written cash offer
We review the property and recent nearby sales and send a no-obligation cash offer, usually within 24 hours.
Pick your closing date
Close in as little as 7 days through a Florida title company, or pick a later date. We cover normal closing costs.
What Lake City homeowners ask about tax lien
Can I still sell after a tax certificate is sold?
Yes. You still own the property. The certificate is paid off from your sale proceeds at closing.
When does a Florida tax certificate turn into a tax deed?
The certificate holder can apply for a tax deed two years after April 1 of the year the certificate was issued (s. 197.502). The Clerk then schedules an auction.
Who runs tax certificate and tax deed sales in Columbia County?
The Columbia County Tax Collector sells tax certificates each spring. Tax deed auctions are run by the Columbia County Clerk of Court.
Do you buy houses in Lake City?
Yes. We buy in Downtown Lake City, Fort White, Five Points and Watertown and every other part of Lake City, as well as the rest of Columbia County. Submit the address and we'll confirm within a day.
How fast can you close in Lake City?
As little as 7 days after you accept, using a Florida title company. If you need more time, we'll set the date that works for you.
Related help
Delinquent Taxes & Tax Liens help nearby
Get your no-obligation cash offer on your Lake City property.
Two minutes to submit, a written offer within 24 hours, and the closing date you choose. Nothing to fix, nothing to list.