County Investing Guide · Texas Tax Deed

Collin County, Texas Tax Deed Investing Guide

Collin County is one of the wealthiest and fastest-growing counties in the United States, encompassing Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen, and dozens of master-planned communities. Tax deed sales here are less frequent than in Dallas or Harris — but the properties that do hit the constable's sale can represent significant value in some of the most desirable zip codes in North Texas.

2 yrs

Homestead Redemption

25%

Year-1 Penalty

50%

Year-2 Penalty

6 mo

Non-Homestead Redemption

Quick Answer

Collin County holds constable tax deed sales on the first Tuesday of each month at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. Texas's redeemable deed rules apply: homesteads have a two-year redemption period; all other property types have six months. The defining due diligence challenge in Collin County is the density of master-planned HOA communities — homeowner association liens and deed restrictions can survive the tax sale and significantly affect what you can do with a property after purchase.

The Collin County Market: Affluence, Growth, and Opportunity

Collin County's median household income consistently ranks among the highest of any large county in Texas, and population growth over the past decade has been explosive. Cities like Frisco and McKinney have repeatedly landed on national "best places to live" lists. This creates an interesting dynamic for tax deed investors: properties that reach the constable's sale here tend to be fewer in number but higher in baseline value than in urban core counties.

The types of properties you'll encounter range from suburban single-family homes in planned subdivisions to commercial properties along the US-75 and Dallas North Tollway corridors, vacant lots in developing areas, and occasional rural parcels on the county's eastern edge. Given the high property values, even distressed properties can carry meaningful equity above the tax judgment amount — which is exactly the opportunity tax deed investors are looking for.

Competition Note

Collin County attracts sophisticated investors who know the market well. Properties with obvious equity — a clearly undervalued home in a sought-after Frisco subdivision, for example — will draw competitive bidding. Success here rewards investors who research thoroughly and know their maximum bid before they arrive at the courthouse steps.

How the Constable Sale Works in Collin County

Tax Judgment Obtained

After taxes go delinquent (February 1), the taxing unit sues the owner in district court. A judgment authorizing sale is entered. This process typically takes one to three years from the initial delinquency date.

Sale Notice Published

The constable publishes notice in a Collin County newspaper for at least three consecutive weeks. The list is also posted at the Collin County Courthouse (2100 Bloomdale Rd, McKinney) and through the county's delinquent tax attorney.

Sale Day — First Tuesday

Sales are conducted on the first Tuesday of each month at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. Bring certified funds (cashier's check payable to the Collin County Constable). No advance registration is typically required, but bring a valid photo ID.

Bidding Opens at Judgment Amount

The opening bid covers all taxes, penalties, interest, court costs, and attorney fees. Competitive bidding is open to anyone present. The highest bidder wins. Payment is due in full the same day.

Constable's Deed Issued

Upon payment, the constable issues a deed that is recorded with the Collin County Clerk. Title transfers to the investor, subject to the redemption period.

Redemption Period

Homesteads: two years with 25%/50% penalties. Non-homesteads: six months with 25% penalty. Once expired without redemption, your title is final and you can pursue any occupants through normal eviction proceedings if needed.

Collin County's Top Due Diligence Issue: HOAs

More than almost any other county in Texas, Collin County is defined by planned communities with active homeowner associations. The vast majority of single-family residential properties in cities like Frisco, Allen, Murphy, Wylie, and Sachse exist within HOA jurisdictions. This creates a specific due diligence challenge for tax deed investors.

⚠ HOA Liens and Dues in Collin County — HOA assessment liens do not automatically extinguish in a Texas tax deed sale. Unpaid HOA dues and associated fees can survive and become the new owner's responsibility. In Collin County's higher-end communities, these can accumulate to significant amounts. Always contact the HOA directly before bidding to understand outstanding balances.

Beyond financial exposure, HOA deed restrictions — which are separate from zoning — govern what you can do with the property. In master-planned communities, restrictions may limit rental use, short-term rentals (Airbnb), exterior modifications, or even how long a property can sit vacant. These restrictions run with the land and survive the tax sale.

Due Diligence Checklist for Collin County Properties

Ownership & Title

Search Collin County Clerk records for all liens
Check for IRS tax liens (do not extinguish at sale)
Verify bankruptcy filings in federal court
Confirm property boundaries match legal description
Check for deed restrictions filed in county records

HOA Research

Identify HOA by subdivision name / property address
Contact HOA management company for outstanding balance
Request copy of CC&Rs (deed restrictions)
Confirm rental policy (short-term and long-term)
Ask about pending special assessments

Property Condition

Drive the property — occupied vs. vacant vs. damaged
Check city code enforcement (McKinney, Frisco, Plano, etc.)
Verify no demolition orders outstanding
Review FEMA flood map (Rowlett Creek, Cottonwood Creek areas)
Check for permits pulled but not finaled (unauthorized additions)

Value Assessment

Pull comps from Collin Central Appraisal District (collincad.org)
Confirm zoning with the specific city (multiple cities in county)
Review MLS sales data for the subdivision
Calculate maximum bid based on ARV minus all costs
Factor in 2-year redemption holding period on homesteads

Key Contacts and Resources

Resource	Details
Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector	collincountytx.gov/tax · (972) 547-5020
Collin Central Appraisal District	collincad.org · (469) 742-9200
Collin County Clerk	collincountytx.gov/clerk
Collin County Constable	collincountytx.gov/constable
City of McKinney Code Enforcement	mckinneytexas.org
City of Frisco	friscotexas.gov
City of Plano	plano.gov

Frequently Asked Questions — Collin County Tax Deeds

How often does Collin County hold tax deed sales and where?

Collin County holds constable tax deed sales on the first Tuesday of each month at the Collin County Courthouse in McKinney. Texas redeemable deed rules apply to all properties sold: homesteads and agricultural properties carry a 2-year redemption period with 25% (year 1) and 50% (year 2) penalties; all other property types have a 180-day redemption period with a 25% penalty. Sale volume in Collin County is lower than in Dallas or Harris — the county's high property values and strong economy mean fewer properties reach the distress threshold that leads to a tax sale. But the properties that do come up for sale tend to carry significant baseline value relative to the tax judgment amount.

What is the biggest due diligence risk unique to Collin County?

The defining due diligence challenge in Collin County is HOA density. The county is dominated by master-planned communities where virtually every subdivision has a homeowner association with its own CC&Rs, deed restrictions, and assessment authority. HOA liens and deed restrictions can survive a Texas tax deed sale and significantly affect what you can do with a property after purchase — including restrictions on rentals, alterations, and resale. Before bidding on any Collin County residential property, research the HOA's governing documents and outstanding assessment balances. Some HOAs in high-end Collin County communities carry substantial unpaid assessment debt that will transfer to the new owner regardless of the tax sale.

What types of properties reach the constable sale in Collin County?

Given the county's wealth and growth, properties that reach the Collin County constable sale tend to fall into a few categories: suburban single-family homes in planned subdivisions where the owner experienced a financial disruption (job loss, divorce, illness) rather than structural property distress; commercial properties along the US-75 and Dallas North Tollway corridors; vacant lots in developing areas where a speculative purchase went unmaintained; and occasional rural or semi-rural parcels on the county's eastern edge that are less desirable than the metro-area properties. The affluent character of the county means even distressed properties often carry meaningful equity above the tax judgment amount — but competition for that equity is intense among investors who know the market.

Do I need a Written Statement to bid at Collin County?

Yes. To bid at any Texas Sheriff's or Constable's Sale, including Collin County, you must obtain a Written Statement from the county tax office certifying that you have no delinquent property taxes in Collin County. The Written Statement is typically valid for 90 days, costs around $10, and must be presented to the constable on sale day. It must be obtained separately for each Texas county where you intend to bid — a Written Statement from Dallas County does not satisfy Collin County's requirement. Struck-off properties (parcels where no one bids at the constable sale) may be purchasable through a private process with county approval — confirm current procedures with the Collin County Tax Assessor-Collector.

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