Travis County tax deed sales investing guide. 25% statutory redemption premium, 180-day base redemption. Auction details and due diligence checklist.
Travis County, TX sells redeemable tax deeds via RealAuction (travis.realforeclose.com), with a 180 days (2 years for homestead/agricultural) redemption window and a statutory redemption premium of 25% (50% in year two on homestead/agricultural) (a flat premium, not annualized interest). Auctions run on a monthly (first tuesday) cadence.
Constable tax sales first Tuesday monthly.
Aggregated from live Travis County listings on LienScout Pro. Snapshot refreshes weekly.
Tax-sale data on this page is sourced from and reconciled against Travis County Tax Office publications for Travis County, Texas.
Each statement below is tied to the source it came from and the date that source was last read. Statutory rules are verified against Texas law; auction logistics are verified against the county office that runs the sale.
| Fact | What applies | Source | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Redeemable tax deed The successful bidder receives a sheriff's or constable's deed subject to the owner's redemption right. | Tex. Tax Code § 34.01 State statute | September 4, 2026 |
| Investor return | Flat 25% statutory redemption premium on the amount paid (50% if redeemed in the second year on homestead, agricultural, or mineral-interest property) A flat premium, not annualized interest — it is not prorated for early redemption and does not accrue over time. | Tex. Tax Code § 34.21(a)–(e) State statute | September 4, 2026 |
| Redemption | 180 days from the date the purchaser's deed is filed for record on non-homestead, non-agricultural property | Tex. Tax Code § 34.21(e) State statute | September 4, 2026 |
| Extended redemption | 2 years for residence homestead, agricultural-use, and mineral-interest property | Tex. Tax Code § 34.21(a) State statute | September 4, 2026 |
| Auction authority | Travis County Tax Office | Travis County Tax Office County office | September 4, 2026 |
| Where it happens | Online — travis.realforeclose.com (RealAuction), first Tuesday | Travis County Tax Office Auction platform | September 4, 2026 |
| Sale cadence | Monthly — first Tuesday of the month (first Wednesday where the county has adopted that option) | Tex. Tax Code § 34.01(a) / Tex. Prop. Code § 51.002 State statute | September 4, 2026 |
Tax-sale rules last verified September 4, 2026. Rule verification is separate from auction data freshness — always confirm bidding terms with the county before the sale.
Travis County's tax sales run on the first Tuesday of each month and, unlike most Texas counties, are administered online through the RealAuction platform at travis.realforeclose.com. That online format is a genuine differentiator — bidders can register and participate remotely without physically appearing on the courthouse steps, and the platform enforces bid increments and deposit rules automatically. The sale list itself is published roughly 15 days before the sale date, which is a tighter window than the Harris or Tarrant cadence and requires faster underwriting.
Travis was previously handled through Linebarger's LGBS site, and the migration to RealAuction changed both the publication timeline and the deposit-and-bidding mechanics — make sure any workflow built on the old LGBS cadence has been updated. The Austin-metro parcel mix skews toward higher assessed values than most Texas counties, so redemption rates are correspondingly high; underwrite for the redemption yield first and only secondarily for deed-acquisition scenarios.
Texas tax sales in Travis County are hybrid redeemable deed sales held on the first Tuesday of the month, either at the courthouse steps (Harris, Tarrant) or online via GovEase / RealAuction depending on the county. The taxing entity's law firm (usually Linebarger, Perdue Brandon, or PBFCM) publishes the sale list 21 days ahead. Bidders register in advance with a bidder certificate, show up with cashier's checks, and bid premium-only above an opening bid set at the judgment amount or adjudged value (whichever is less). Winners take a Sheriff's Deed on the spot in exchange for full payment. Texas issues an immediate deed with a right of redemption — 2 years on homestead / agricultural parcels, 180 days on everything else — and the statutory redemption premium is 25% in year one and 50% in year two.
For a Travis County parcel, pull the Central Appraisal District (CAD) record for owner, exemptions (homestead / ag flags drive the 2-year redemption period), land + improvement value, and legal description. Pull the county Clerk's Real Property records for the last warranty deed, deeds of trust, and any liens. Get the underlying tax-suit judgment from the District Clerk — it tells you exactly which taxing entities are being satisfied and whether any junior liens got named. Check the county GIS for zoning and flood zone, and cross-reference the address against the county's abandoned / dangerous building list. Two Texas-specific gotchas: (1) homestead / ag-exempt parcels carry a 2-year redemption at 25% year one + 50% year two — plan capital accordingly, and (2) HOA liens and municipal weed/demo liens can survive if not named in the suit.
You receive the Sheriff's Deed at the Travis County sale itself and record it with the County Clerk the same week. You now hold defeasible title subject to redemption — 180 days for non-homestead / non-ag, 2 years for homestead or ag-exempt parcels. The former owner redeems by tendering the winning bid amount plus a 25% premium in year one (or 50% in year two on qualifying parcels) through the Sheriff or Tax Assessor-Collector. Redemption rates in Texas are lower than most states because the 25%/50% premium is steep — most non-homestead parcels don't redeem, and once the redemption window closes the deed converts to indefeasible fee simple. Quiet title actions are common but not always required; some title insurers will insure Texas tax deeds after 4 years of undisturbed possession.
Travis County (Austin) moved its tax deed sale off Linebarger's in-person format and onto the RealAuction online platform in 2024, with sales held roughly monthly. The list typically publishes about 15 days before the sale. Austin metro demand is extreme — premium bids on any Central Austin, East Austin, or South Austin residential parcel routinely clear at 85–100% of market value, so pure yield plays via statutory redemption premium are the realistic thesis. Entry points for acquisition-oriented investors sit in eastern rural Travis (Elgin fringe, Manor outskirts) vacant land and small commercial. Texas's 180-day (or 2-year homestead / ag) redemption with flat 25% / 50% statutory redemption premium on the amount paid at the sale applies.
Tax sales in Travis County are conducted via online auctions. Properties are sold to the highest bidder, and the auction process is managed by the county.
Investors can expect a statutorily defined redemption premium of 25% on their investment, provided the property is redeemed. The actual return depends on whether the property is redeemed by the previous owner.
The primary risks include the property not being redeemed, leading to the investor owning the property and being responsible for its upkeep and taxes. There's also the risk that the property may have existing liens or encumbrances not cleared by the sale, and potential legal challenges.
To get started, research upcoming tax sales in Travis County, understand the Texas Tax Code regarding tax sales, and ensure you have the necessary funds. It's also advisable to consult with legal counsel experienced in tax sales.