Snohomish County, Washington

Tax Deed864,113 residents

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

Sale typestate default

Tax Deed

Redemption periodstate default

None once the county treasurer's deed issues (3-year delinquency threshold before that)

Investor returnstate default

N/A — outright deed transfer

Governing statutestate default

Revised Code of Washington Ch. 84.64

Notes

Washington tax-deed foreclosure under RCW 84.64. Snohomish Treasurer holds one annual Tax Lien Foreclosure Auction of parcels with taxes at least 3 years delinquent (e.g. full 2023+ unpaid as of June 1, 2026 → eligible for mid-November 2026 sale). Online via Bid4Assets historically (2025 cycle Dec 2025–Jan 2026). Unsold after re-offer become Tax Title held for taxing districts. Separate from Friday courthouse trustee/mortgage sales.

Auction logistics

Format

Online

Frequency

Once per year (typically mid-November; 2025 ran into early 2026)

Platform

Bid4Assets — Snohomish County Tax Foreclosure (confirm storefront each year) ↗

Deposit rules

Bid4Assets registration; recent cycles used ~$2,000 deposit + $35 processing fee by deadline about one week before open (confirm current storefront). Full settlement per Bid4Assets/county terms after win.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Treasurer’s deed generally extinguishes most private liens; federal tax liens can survive. LID/special assessments need separate review.

Quiet title

Practically often required for title insurance on WA tax-deed/tax-title property.

Deal maths for Washington

Assessment ratio: 1× of market value
Typical quiet title: $1,800–$5,000 · 5 mo
Recording and transfer: $250

RCW 84.40.030: "All property must be valued at one hundred percent of its true and fair value in money and assessed on the same basis unless specifically provided otherwise by law." RCW 84.41.030 requires annual revaluation of all taxable real property, with physical inspection at least once every six years.

Offices and records

Tax collector

Snohomish County Treasurer — Tax Foreclosures ↗

Clerk of court

Snohomish County Auditor (records) / Superior Court Clerk (surplus on trustee sales) ↗

Property appraiser

Snohomish County Assessor — Property Search ↗

GIS / parcel map

Snohomish County PDS Map Portal ↗

Areas trending up

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

Everett / waterfront industrial edge

Aerospace and port employment supporting renter demand

Lynnwood / light-rail station areas

Transit expansion driving multifamily and owner demand into 2026

Marysville / north county growth edge

Relative affordability and housing pipeline vs. south county price points