SBcounty.MyTaxSale - Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tax deed sale?
What is an online tax deed sale?
What equipment or software do I need to be able to participate?
Will it cost me anything to participate?
Who do I contact if I have a question about how to use the website?
If I have questions about a specific property, who do I contact?
Does a tax deed sale eliminate all other liens on a property?
How do I get started?
When can I place my bids?
What is proxy bidding?
What is the "Two Minute Rule"?
How do I submit my deposit?
What is an ACH debit?
When do bidders have to pay the amount due for their purchases?
What form of payment is required for the final payment?
What happens if I fail to pay the balance within the period indicated?
What happens to my deposit if I don't win any property?
Where can I find additional information on the County's website?
When are the tax deed sales conducted?
Where can I get a list of properties scheduled for upcoming tax deed sales?
How can I download the sale list?
How can I search the list of properties?
What are the required fees?
What does "Withdrawn" mean on the bid page?
How soon will I receive the tax deed?

What is a tax deed sale?

Property that has tax bill(s) remaining unpaid for a period of greater than five years becomes subject to a tax sale. The property(s) will be offered for sale at a public auction for a minimum bid. The minimum bid is the amount of taxes owed plus all penalties and costs that have been applied to the property(s).

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What is an online tax deed sale?

An online tax deed sale is an auction where bids are transmitted and received electronically through the Internet using a computer and a web browser.

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What equipment or software do I need to be able to participate?
A bidder must have internet access and a web browser with the following versions:
- Mozilla Firefox - latest version
- Google Chrome - latest version
- Microsoft Edge - latest version
The auction site will not support older browsers.

There is free computer access at public libraries located throughout the County.
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Will it cost me anything to participate?

Registration on the website is free. However, you will need to abide by the County's deposit rules. See below on how to submit a deposit.

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Who do I contact if I have a question about how to use the website?

Representatives of Grant Street Group are available via email (DeedAuction@GrantStreet.com) or via phone at (877) 274-9320 between 5:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on business days to provide instruction and answer questions regarding use of the website.

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If I have questions about a specific property, who do I contact?

Please contact the County at (909) 387-8308 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time (Monday through Friday, excluding Official County Holidays).

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Does a tax deed sale eliminate all other liens on a property?

Some liens may be dischargeable and others may not. Tax and property laws are complicated and bidders should thoroughly research outstanding or potential liens, mortgages, encumbrances or title defects prior to placing a bid on a property in a tax deed sale. It is best to seek legal advice of an attorney who can provide you with information about liens on a given property. Be advised that you are solely responsible for researching tax deed properties and you assume sole responsibility for making any bid at the online tax deed sale. The County does not make any representations or warranties as to the status of the title or liens on property auctioned at a tax deed sale.

For more information please refer to the County Tax Sale Terms and Conditions.

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How do I get started?
- Read all information and view the "Help Documentation" under Tax Sale Instructions
- Register on the web site
- Add Affiliates for the name(s) you want to have the deed issued to
- Thoroughly research any properties you may be interested in
- Make sure you have funds available to pay for any properties you may win
- Submit the required deposit on the website before the deadline
- Enter your bids
- Enter vesting information as you want it to appear on the Tax Deed
- Pay for your purchases
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When can I place my bids?

All bidders with a valid deposit may begin placing bids on the opening day of the sale. See the Auction Calendar for the exact dates of upcoming sales. Please note when bidding that all properties are grouped in Batches and each Batch has a unique close time (listed on the Bid Page), after which bids will no longer be accepted unless the 'Two Minute Rule' is invoked. See FAQ below on the 'Two Minute Rule'.

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What is proxy bidding?

Proxy bidding is a form of competitive sale in which bidders input the maximum bid they are willing to pay for a property they would like to purchase. The system will then automatically enter bids on their behalf, as necessary, up to their maximum bid.

If you enter a maximum bid that is the same as another lead bid, the first bidder to submit that amount would be deemed the leader. The trailing bidder would be notified with a message on the screen that "your bid was submitted successfully, but you trail an earlier bidder at the same price". The non leader would have to increase their maximum bid to become the leader.

All bids submitted on this site are submitted as proxy bids. The bid you enter after you click the Enter Max Bid link will be executed using the proxy bid system.

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What is the "Two Minute Rule"?

If a bidder becomes a leading bidder (as displayed by "leader" in the bid status column) in the last two minutes of the sale, the Auction Clock will change to reflect a new Auction Close Time and the sale will be extended two (2) minutes to allow additional bidding. This will continue until that bidder remains leader for two (2) minutes (at which time the auction closes and the leading bid becomes the Winning Bid). Be aware that submitting a bid higher than the "best bid" may not trigger overtime due to the automatic proxy bid. The bid you submit must make you the "leader" in order to trigger overtime. When you submit your bid you will get a message on your screen that indicates your bid has been accepted and your status is now leading or you are now trailing.

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How do I submit my deposit?
An advance deposit of $5000 and a non-refundable $40 bid deposit processing fee must be made online through the electronic auction website via eCheck (ACH / Electronic Debit). Your deposit must be submitted at least five (5) full business days before the auction opens for bidding.

To submit your deposit online:
1. Log in with your user name and password
2. Click the "My Payments" link on the left hand tool bar *Click "Submit Deposit"
3. Enter your banking information as instructed on the screen and click "Submit".
You will receive an email confirmation of your payment submission.

NOTE: Once a deposit is submitted it will not be refunded until the sale is reconciled (approximately two weeks after the last sale closes). There will be no early refunds for any reason.
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What is an ACH debit?

An ACH debit is an electronic funds transfer from your bank account, initiated by the County with your prior authorization. For more information on ACH, please visit the NACHA, the Electronic Payments Association, at www.nacha.org.

Funds must be drawn from a US financial institution. Some types of money market, brokerage, and/or trust accounts cannot accept ACH debits. Please check with your financial institution prior to initiating payment on the website.

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When do bidders have to pay the amount due for their purchases?

Winning bidders are required to make final payment in full within five (5) business days from the close of each auction day.

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What form of payment is required for the final payment?
Only the following forms of payment shall be accepted:
1. Certified or cashier's check (made payable to the SBC Tax Collector should be delivered to the Tax Collector's Office, 268 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor, San Bernardino CA 92415)
2. Cash (paid at the Tax Collector's Office, 268 West Hospitality Lane, First Floor, San Bernardino CA 92415)
3. Wire transfer.
Please note:
- ACH OR DIRECT DEPOSITS are not accepted
- Payment by personal check or traveler's check are not accepted
- Payment by credit card are not be accepted
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What happens if I fail to pay the balance within the period indicated?

The properties offered at each auction of this tax sale shall be sold to the highest bidder. The highest bidder for each property auction of this tax sale shall pay in full within five (5) business days from the close of each auction day. In the event the highest bidder on an auction fails to comply with these Settlement Requirements, then that bidder's deposit shall be forfeited to the County. Winning bidders who do not perform on all auctions won will forfeit their deposit to the County and may be banned from future sales.

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What happens to my deposit if I don't win any property?

Refund of the bid deposit shall be made to unsuccessful bidders within ten (10) business days after the close of all property auctions for this tax sale.

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Where can I find additional information on the County's website?

Tax Sale Information

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When are the tax deed sales conducted?

See the Auction Calendar for the exact dates of upcoming sales.

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Where can I get a list of properties scheduled for upcoming tax deed sales?

You can view the list of items for sale by visiting www.mytaxcollector.com/trTaxSale_CSI.aspx or by clicking on the sale date in the auction calendar.

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How can I download the sale list?

After you have logged in you can download a list of each day's sale items by selecting the sale date from the Auction Calendar, and then clicking View Auction on the left side navigation bar.

You will find the Download icon at the bottom of the page; clicking it will create an excel file with the available details for each item in the sale.

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How can I search the list of properties?

After you have logged in you can filter each day's auction list by Opening Bid, City, Tax Rate Area, Improvements, Land Value, Total Assessed Value and Exemptions.

The search tools appear on the right side of the Bid Page, which you can access by selecting the sale date from the Auction Calendar and then clicking View Auction on the left side navigation bar.

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What are the required fees?

There is a $40 non-refundable bid deposit processing fee required when submitting your deposit. If you are the winning bidder, a documentary transfer tax of $0.55 (fifty-five cents) shall be added for each $500.00, or fractional portion thereof, of the final sales price.

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What does "Withdrawn" mean on the bid page?

This means that a property has been withdrawn from the sale and is not available for bidding. Properties may be withdrawn from the sale from time to time and the auction site will be updated daily to reflect any such changes.

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How soon will I receive the tax deed?

The successful bidder will receive the tax deed after making payment in full and after the tax deed has been recorded. Tax deeds will be recorded within 90 days after the close of the sale.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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