NEXT TAX FORECLOSURE SALE IS JUNE 17, 2026

PROPERTIES CURRENTLY IN TAX FORECLOSURE:
Upset bidding in progress on PARCEL 0006704

Upset bids must be made through the Clerk of Court's Office.
Call 919-545-3500 for the most current upset bid information
or visit the ZLS website.

Sign up for E-Notifications receive email notifications for upcoming tax sales and a list of properties that will be included in the tax sale, if any. 

FAQ: Tax Foreclosure Sales**
(read the website for detailed information)

• Is there a list of properties available for the upcoming sale?
  The list of properties will be posted on our website once our attorney sends us the Notices of Tax Foreclosure, which is usually 5-10 days before the sale. The list can not be provided before that time since a parcel could be removed from the sale for various reasons.
  
  
• How do I receive notifications of upcoming sales?
  Sign up for E-Notifications. An email that includes the Notices of Tax Foreclosure is sent 5-10 days before the sale.
  
  
• Do I need to attend the tax sale to bid on a property?
  No. There is a 10 day upset bid period that allows someone to upset the highest bid from the tax sale. The 10 day upset bid period starts over with each upset bid and continues until 10 days lapses without an upset bid. Upset bids can be placed by contacting the Chatham County Clerk of Court's Office 919-545-3500.
  
  
• Can I place a bid online? 
  No -that option is not available at this time. Any bids placed outside of the tax sale are upset bids. Contact the Chatham County Clerk of Court's Office for information on how to upset a bid. 
  
  
• Can the owner pay the taxes and remove the property from Tax Foreclosure?
  Yes. The owner may redeem the property up until the time a judge signs the Confirmation of Sale.
  
  
• What happens to properties that are not sold during the tax sale?
  Chatham County purchases the property and it becomes Surplus property. There is a hold on selling Surplus properties at this time.
  
  
• How can I purchase Tax Lien Certificates on delinquent properties?
  North Carolina does not allow purchases of Tax Lien Certificates
  
  
• How do I obtain a Tax Deed on delinquent property?
  A Commissioner's Deed is conveyed to the highest bidder from the tax sale once the judge signs a Confirmation of Sale. The Tax Foreclosure Sale is the only way to purchase delinquent properties in Chatham County.
  
  
• Do I own the property if I pay the delinquent tax? No 

**Information on our website is not legal advice so contact your attorney if you have any questions regarding the purchase of properties through Tax Foreclosure Sales.

 

• SALE NOTICES:  Properties that are scheduled for public sale will be posted on this website in addition to the usual means of advertising foreclosure sales. Sale notices are posted on the bulletin board at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office located on the ground level of the Justice Center on Chatham Street in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Sale notices are also posted in the entrances of the Tax Appraisal office, the Tax Collector's office and the GIS/Tax Mapping office. Sale notices are published in classified legal ads of the Chatham News and the Chatham Record for two consecutive weeks prior to the sale. Notices of sale will indicate the time and date of sale. Tax sales are held in the lobby of the Justice Center.
  
  
• FORECLOSURE BIDS:  Our tax sales are auction style and move very quickly.  A deposit of 20% of the highest bid is required immediately upon conclusion of the sale at the courthouse. Only cash or a certified check, made to Zacchaeus Legal Services, will be accepted. The sale is subject to a 10-day period in which upset bids will be accepted at the Clerk of Superior Court’s office pursuant to NCGS §1-339.25.  The successful bidder will be required to pay the balance of the purchase price, as well as the recording fees and revenue stamps assessed by the County Register of Deeds, before the sale is confirmed.

• UPSET BIDS: Contact the Clerk of Court's Office @ 919-545-3500 in order to upset a bid or for questions regarding the upset bid process.  

• HIGHEST BID:  The highest bidder does not own the property until the sale has been confirmed by a Judge and the deed is recorded at the Register of Deeds.  Therefore, the taxpayer has the right to redeem real property up until the sale has been confirmed per NCGS §1-339.28.  The highest bidder may hire an attorney to assist with speeding up the purchase and confirmation.

• FINANCES:  Financing is not available. Funding must be in place prior to the sale so DO NOT bid on property unless you are able to pay the purchase price in full within the statutory time period.  All sales must be paid with certified funds.  Read the NOTICE TO BIDDERS to understand the importance of following through with the sale if you are the highest bidder.

• SALE CONDITIONS:  Unless otherwise stated in the Notice of Sale, the sale will be held free and clear of all other liens with the exception of taxes not included in the tax judgment.  All sales are held subject to tax years not included in the judgment and the purchaser will be responsible for paying those subsequent taxes once the deed is recorded.  Chatham County makes no warranties in connection with properties sold in the tax foreclosure sales and specifically disclaims any warranties as to title and habitability.  Properties in the tax sale are sold AS IS without opinion as to title or any other matter.

• TAX COLLECTION: The good news is that every year, approximately 92% of the taxes levied on real estate in Chatham County are paid by the due date, January 5th. This high degree of compliance by our taxpayers is appreciated and is helpful in holding our tax rates at a reasonable level. By June 30th, the close of the fiscal year, the Tax Collector’s Office will have collected over 98% of the taxes levied on real estate. A high collection rate has a positive impact on our county's bond rating, future budgets and future tax rates. 

• LAST RESORT:  Foreclosure is a collection tool that is used as a last resort. All other avenues of collection have been exhausted or deemed unsuitable for the parcel under consideration. Foreclosures by the Chatham County Tax Collector’s office are performed by Zacchaeus Legal Services pursuant to NC General Statutes 105-374.  Despite the initiation of foreclosure proceedings, the property owner will be given every opportunity to pay the taxes, legal fees and interest to avoid the loss of ownership.

• E-Notices Signup - Receive email notifications for upcoming tax sales

•  Visit the Property Tax Relief for more information on Property Tax Assistance.  Find out if you might qualify for one or more of the tax assistance programs for Elderly and/or Disabled, Disabled Veteran and Present Use Value for farmland.
  NOTE:  The Exclusion and/or Deferment programs, if qualified, will take effect the next billing period so qualifying does not change the amount you owe for prior years nor will it remove the property from delinquent status.

• Notice to Bidders - Important information for bidders 

• ZLS - Properties For Sale (upcoming tax sales & bid updates)

• §1-339.25 - Public Sale & Upset Bid Period

•  §1-339.28 - Confirmation of Sale

• § 105-355 - Creation of tax lien; date as of which lien attaches

• § 105-374 - Foreclosure of tax lien by action in nature of action to foreclose a mortgage

• § 105-375 In rem method of foreclosure

• §105-376 - Taxing Unit as Purchaser at Sale

• Machinery Act

 

 

Surplus properties are properties purchased by Chatham County through the Tax Foreclosure Sale. Chatham County becomes the highest bidder in a Tax Foreclosure Sale if no one upsets the bid within the 10 day upset bid period.

BIDDING ON SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY IS ON HOLD UNTIL
FURTHER REVIEW FOR POSSIBLE COUNTY USE

 For information on Excess Funds contact the Chatham County Clerk of Court's Office  @ 919-545-3500 to obtain more information.

The Clerk of Court's office holds, and disburses, all overages, funds, etc. from tax foreclosure sales.  The Chatham County Tax Office is not involved in the distribution of excess funds nor do we receive information, documentation or a breakdown of monies held by their office. 

Zacchaeus Legal Services

Fax: (252) 448-1962
310 West Jones Street
P.O. Box 25
Trenton, NC 28585

The Chatham County Tax Office is not associated with any of the resources below so please contact the agency directly since they will be able to answer questions and offer assistance. 

• The Salvation Army of Chatham County
• DSS - Emergency Assistance Program
• North Carolina Housing Finance Agency 

Angela McMahon
Tax Paralegal
919-542-8224
angela.mcmahon@chathamcountync.gov

Laretha Clark
Tax Paralegal
919-545-8586
laretha.clark@chathamcountync.gov