JACKSON - The Mississippi Secretary of State's Office is excited to kick off our online auction of 300 tax-forfeited properties in Washington County. The 300 parcels are valued at an estimated $1.8 million. 

"I was excited to visit with Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons yesterday launching Washington County’s tax-forfeited property auction," said Secretary of State Michael Watson. "The auction serves as a great example of a local and state partnership which provides businesses and individuals an opportunity to purchase property at a great value to start a business or simply add a football field to their yard for the neighborhood! 

Once these lots are purchased, they are placed back onto the local tax rolls providing funding for local schools, municipalities and the county. Additionally, they provide a savings to the cities and counties which no longer have to cut and clean up as many blighted lots and return a sense of momentum to the community as they see progress."

Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons (left), and Secretary of State Michael Watson (right) discuss the importance of local and state partnership at Greenville City Hall on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

The auction kicked off today, August 5, 2020, at 8 a.m., and all bids must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Interested parties must register online at sos.ms.gov before placing a bid. 

Bids may only be submitted through the Secretary of State’s online auction portal. The portal grants access to property details, such as market value and parcel locations.

Once bids are placed, successful bidders will be notified as soon as possible via e-mail. Payment of the bid amount must be made within 5 to 7 business days of the e-mail notification.

Buyers are also permitted to pay a “Buy It Now” price on any parcel, which allows them to purchase a property immediately instead of waiting until the end of the auction.

To learn more about tax-forfeited properties, visit the Secretary of State’s website or call the Public Lands Division at 601-359-5156.