Knox County, Ohio

Hybrid63,848 residents

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

Sale typestate default

Hybrid

Redemption periodstate default

1 year from lien certificate sale (varies); forfeiture-to-deed track has no redemption once complete

Investor returnstate default

Lien: up to 18% per annum, county-set

Governing statutestate default

Ohio Revised Code Ch. 5721

Notes

Ohio hybrid county — Knox County (Mount Vernon / Apple Valley / Kenyon College area). Both foreclosure and tax-delinquent properties list on the same RealAuction Official Public Sheriff's Sale Website (knox.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov). Sales Fridays 10:00 AM ET; proxy bidding opens ≥7 days prior; unsold properties get second auction 7–30 days later without minimum-bid floor. Starting bid generally two-thirds of appraised value on first sale. Advertised in Mount Vernon News three consecutive weeks. Tax sale deposits equal delinquent taxes, assessments, and court costs and must be on the site before bidding. Balance within 30 days after confirmation by check/money order to Knox County Sheriff's Office. Buyer beware; no keys; defendant may remain until deed recorded/writ of possession.

Auction logistics

Format

Online (RealAuction — foreclosure and tax-delinquent combined)

Frequency

Fridays 10:00 AM as scheduled; second sale 7–30 days later if unsold

Platform

Knox County Sheriff Sale Auction (RealAuction) ↗

Deposit rules

Appraised ≤$10k: $2,000 deposit; $10k–$200k: $5,000; >$200k: $10,000. Wire by 5:00 PM two business days before Friday auction; ACH initiate by 4:00 PM five business days before. Tax sale deposits = delinquent taxes + assessments + court costs, posted on site before bidding. Balance due within 30 days after confirmation (check/money order to Knox County Sheriff's Office).

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Proper judicial/sheriff sale with named parties generally cuts off junior liens; federal tax liens and omitted parties create residual risk. Purchaser may be responsible for costs taxes do not cover. Full title search mandatory.

Quiet title

Sheriff deed after confirmation often supports marketable title; quiet title still common if notice defects or occupied property.

Deal maths for Ohio

Assessment ratio: 0.35× of market value
Typical quiet title: $1,800–$5,000 · 5 mo
Recording and transfer: $150

R.C. 5715.01: taxable value is the percentage of true value the tax commissioner sets by rule, capped at 35%. The rule has been at the 35% ceiling for decades and applies uniformly statewide, with no classification by property type and no county overrides.

Offices and records

Tax collector

Knox County Sheriff — Sheriff Sales ↗

Clerk of court

Knox County Clerk of Courts ↗

Property appraiser

Knox County Auditor ↗

GIS / parcel map

Knox County Auditor GIS / parcel resources ↗

Areas trending up

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

Mount Vernon / downtown–hospital edge

County-seat medical and retail employment with most liquid SF inventory

Apple Valley / Howard lake community

Recreational lake lots and second-home demand — HOA and access diligence required

Gambier / Kenyon College fringe

Institutional employment and relative inventory tightness near campus