The Prince George’s County tax sale just wrapped up. If your home was on the list and the lien was sold to an investor, please breathe. You have not lost your home. Not yet. Maryland law gives you the right to redeem your property and stop the process. But the clock is ticking, and the longer you wait, the more it costs.
Here is exactly what just happened, what you can do about it, and how to choose the right move for your situation.
What Just Happened at the Tax Sale
PG County did not sell your house. They sold a tax lien certificate on your house. An investor paid the county the back taxes you owed. In return, the investor now has a legal claim against your property. They are betting on one of two things: that you pay them back with steep interest, or that you do not and they get to take your home.
You are still the legal owner. You can still live there. You can still sell. But the certificate holder has rights, and the law sets a clear path that ends with you losing the property if you do nothing.
Your Right to Redeem (And How It Works)
Maryland gives you a redemption period after the tax sale. During this time, you have the legal right to pay off the lien and clear the certificate. The certificate holder cannot take your home until this window closes.
In Prince George’s County, the redemption period is typically at least 6 months from the date of the sale. After 6 months, the certificate holder can file a foreclosure complaint in court to take your home. That court process adds more time, so most homeowners have closer to 9 to 12 months total before they actually lose the house. But the cost of redeeming goes up every single day.
To redeem your property, you have to pay:
The original back taxes the investor paid the county
Interest, which in Maryland can be 12 to 20 percent per year (PG County is often at the high end)
Any taxes that have come due since the sale (yes, you have to stay current too)
The certificate holder’s legal fees and costs once they hire an attorney
The longer you wait, the more interest stacks up. Acting in the first few months can save you thousands.
How to Actually Redeem – Step by Step
Step 1: Get the exact redemption amount. Call the PG County Tax Sale department or look up your property online. They will tell you what you owe today.
Step 2: Get current on this year’s taxes too. The county will not accept a redemption if you are still behind on other taxes.
Step 3: Pay the full amount to the county. Once paid, the county handles unwinding the certificate. You get a Certificate of Redemption proving the lien is gone.
Step 4: If the certificate holder has already started a court case against you, you also have to pay their legal fees. Get those numbers in writing before paying.
Step 5: Keep your paperwork forever. This proves the lien was cleared.
What If You Cannot Afford to Redeem?
Most people who lose their property to a tax sale could not pay the original taxes. Adding 20 percent interest does not make it easier. If you cannot pull together the cash, here are your real options:
Option 1: Borrow against your equity. If your home is worth more than what you owe, a home equity loan or refinance can pay the redemption and put you on a regular payment plan. Hard to get approved with a tax issue, but worth asking.
Option 2: Family help. A relative who lends or gifts you the money saves the house. Get any loan agreement in writing.
Option 3: Sell the house. This is where we come in at NexGen Home Solutions. We buy houses with tax sale certificates against them. We pay the redemption out of the sale, give you any remaining equity in cash, and the lien is gone. You walk away with money and your credit is protected from a foreclosure.
Option 4: Hardship programs. Maryland has some help for seniors, the disabled, and low-income owners. Call the county or a HUD-approved housing counselor.
Option 5: Bankruptcy. As a last resort, filing Chapter 13 can stop foreclosure and let you pay back the lien over time. Talk to a bankruptcy attorney before going this route.
Why Selling to a Cash Buyer Often Makes Sense
If you do not have the cash to redeem and cannot get a loan, selling is usually the best way to walk away with money instead of losing everything. Here is why a cash buyer like us is faster than the regular market:
No bank financing means no loan delays.
We buy as-is. No repairs. No clean-up. Take what you want and leave the rest.
We pay the redemption directly out of the closing. You do not have to come up with cash up front.
We can close in 7 to 14 days, well inside your redemption window.
You get whatever equity is left after the redemption is paid. Cash in hand.
You save your credit from a foreclosure mark.
Common Questions
How do I know if my house was sold at the tax sale? Check the PG County tax sale results, or just call the county tax office.
Can the certificate holder come to my house? They can send mail and serve you with court papers. They cannot kick you out until they win in court and get a deed.
What if I pay the original tax but not the certificate holder’s fees? You have to pay everything. Partial payment does not redeem the property.
Can I rent the house out while I figure this out? Yes, you are still the owner during the redemption period. Just keep paying taxes.
What if I think the tax sale was wrong? You can dispute it through the county. Talk to a tax attorney. Some sales do get reversed when there is an error.
The Most Important Thing: Do Not Wait
The redemption period in PG County feels like a long time, but it goes fast. Interest stacks up every day. Once the certificate holder files in court, lawyer fees get added. Once a court date is set, you are running on fumes.
The homeowners who keep their house or walk away with money are the ones who acted in the first 30 to 60 days after the sale. The ones who do nothing usually lose everything.
If your property was at the PG County tax sale, call us at 301-982-1002 today or fill out the form on our Sell Your House page. We will look at your situation for free. Even if selling is not the right move, we will tell you straight what your options are. No pressure. No fees. Just answers from people who have helped your neighbors through the same thing.