Essex County, Massachusetts
County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.
Sale typestate default
Redemption periodstate default
Investor returnstate default
Governing statutestate default
Notes
Massachusetts tax titles are MUNICIPAL, not county-run. Essex County cities/towns (Lynn, Lawrence, Haverhill, Salem, Peabody, etc.) each run their own tax taking/sale under M.G.L. c. 60. Land Court foreclosure of the right of redemption is the standard path to clear title. City of Lynn Treasurer/Collector shown as one large-city example only.
Auction logistics
Format
Frequency
Deposit rules
Title risk
Deal maths for Massachusetts
- Assessment ratio
- 1× of market value
- Typical quiet title
- $3,000–$7,000 · 12 mo
- Recording and transfer
- $250
M.G.L. c. 59, § 38 requires assessment at full and fair cash valuation, with no classification ratio applied to the assessed value. The Department of Revenue certifies each municipality's values on a five-year cycle, with interim-year adjustments between certifications.
Offices and records
Areas trending up
Directional read from dated market analysis — not a guarantee, and not a substitute for your own comps.
Relative affordability on the North Shore with transit access to Boston jobs
Tourism, institutional, and suburban employment supporting steadier demand into 2026
I-495 job access and value-oriented inventory versus core Boston prices