Washington County, Maryland

Tax Lien157,228 residents

County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.

Sale typestate default

Tax Lien

Redemption periodstate default

6 months minimum before foreclosure action can start; up to 1 year+

Investor returnstate default

6–24% per annum, varies by county

Governing statutestate default

Maryland Tax-Property Code Title 14

Notes

Maryland tax-lien certificate county. Washington County Treasurer conducts an annual in-person tax sale the first Tuesday in June at 9:00 a.m. at 35 W. Washington St., Hagerstown (rear of County Office Building) — not Bid4Assets despite some third-party sites. High-bid auction of liens; redemption interest 6% per annum. Foreclosure of right of redemption may start after 6 months + 1 day; certificate void if action not filed within 2 years. High-bid premium refunded without interest on redemption or on deed delivery per TP Art. rules.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person

Frequency

Annually, first Tuesday in June, 9:00 a.m. Eastern

Platform

Washington County Treasurer — Annual Tax Sale (County Office Building) ↗

Deposit rules

Pre-register at Treasurer’s Office with Tax Sale Bidder Registration Application + W-9; registration closes 3:00 p.m. Friday before sale (forms available ~April 23 each year). Pay full amount due for all winning bids by specified sale-day deadline or be excluded and re-award to next bidder. Buyer assumes risk of void sales (bankruptcy, pre-sale payment, assessment errors) — exclusive remedy is refund of purchase price/premium without interest.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Certificate is a lien priority vehicle; foreclosure of redemption required for deed. Federal liens and certain municipal charges can survive or complicate foreclosure. No warranty of marketable title or acreage.

Quiet title

After decree and tax deed, title companies often require additional curative/quiet-title work before free-and-clear insurance.

Offices and records

Tax collector

Washington County Treasurer’s Office — Tax Sale Information ↗

240-313-2110

Clerk of court

Washington County Circuit Court Clerk / Land Records ↗

Property appraiser

Maryland SDAT / Washington County assessments ↗

GIS / parcel map

Washington County MD GIS / parcel resources ↗

Areas trending up

Directional read from dated market analysis — not a guarantee, and not a substitute for your own comps.

Hagerstown / downtown & medical corridor

County seat employment and I-81 logistics supporting rental demand

Robinwood / east Hagerstown suburbs

Medical and retail anchors with steadier SF absorption

Smithsburg / Boonsboro fringe

Commuter and lifestyle demand toward Frederick with limited inventory