Tax-Forfeited Properties to be Auctioned in Hennepin County | Business

Hennepin County plans two public auctions over the next month.  On the auction block: properties in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, Hopkins, Rogers, St. Bonifacius, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Dayton, and Eden Prairie.

"Many of the properties are vacant lots, but several include buildings and substantial acreage," said a county spokesperson Carol Allis.

The properties up for auction were all forfeited to the county because taxes had not been paid.  Taxpayer Services Department Director Mark Chapin says the county has seen a significant increase in tax-forfeited properties recently.  He says the increase, as well as its cause, is similar to that of foreclosed properties.

"The reason for both mortgage foreclosure and tax forfeiture can be the same, people fall into financial trouble, the loss of a job, a sudden and expensive medical crisis, and other reasons," said Chapin.

But, said Chapin, the increase in tax-forfeitures arrived later than the increase in foreclosures.  He said foreclosures often happen relatively quickly.  But, when it comes to unpaid property taxes, he said the county takes longer to seize a property, trying to work with the owner to get up to date on payments.

"The county doesn't want to own or manage these properties," said Chapin.  "It's expensive.  The county, and therefore the taxpayers, ends up having to keep these properties maintained.  And unoccupied properties aren't good for neighborhoods, they affect property values and encourage unwanted criminal activity and vandalism."

Properties in Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Crystal, and Hopkins will be auctioned April 27.  Properties from Minneapolis, Rogers, St. Bonifacius, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Dayton, and Eden Prairie will be auctioned May 4.

For details on the properties and the auction, click here.