After a tax sale auction, the original property owner typically has a redemption period or waiting period where they still have the right to redeem the property. In Maryland, the waiting period is six months.

60 days after the date of the auction, the tax collector will inform the property owner about the sale and their right to buy it back within the redemption period. To redeem their property, they generally have to pay the following:

• The total amount (including taxes, penalties, and interest) of the winning bid

• Any extra expenses that the winning bidder took responsibility for (including title search fees, fees for a
Maryland tax sale attorney, fees for sending notices to the property owner, etc.)

• Interest accumulated since the tax sale

• Penalties (if any) levied after the tax sale

If the property owner fails to pay off these debts before the redemption period is up, the winning bidder now has the right to foreclose and assume ownership of the property. However, the bidder is still required to send two notices regarding the foreclosure process (spaced 30 days apart) to the property owner and conduct a lengthy foreclosure process. If the property owner manages to pay off their debts after receiving the notice, they may still be able to redeem the property.

Regardless of whether you are the winning bidder or the original property owner, you can smooth over the process with the help of an experienced Maryland tax lien attorney.

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