FILE: In an aerial photo, housing is seen on Oct. 7, 2025, in San Diego, Calif.

Hundreds of California properties are headed to public auction next month, allowing anyone with at least $1,035 to bid on parcels that start as low as $100.

The properties are part of San Diego County’s annual auction to attempt to offload addresses that have been in default on property taxes for at least five years. As of publication, there were 667 properties available for sale this year, ranging from vacant land to beach cottages to churches.

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“This year we have hundreds of properties that might be the perfect opportunity for a hopeful buyer,” San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen said in a statement announcing the auction. “Our online system makes it simple to research and bid on a variety of properties across San Diego County.” 

The list of properties includes what the county deems as improved properties, unimproved properties and timeshares. The bulk of the listings are timeshares, with more than 500 included. Starting bids for many of those start as low as $100 and as high as $2,800. Some are in luxury communities such as in the Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara in Carlsbad.

The highest opening bid listed is for a commercial property in San Diego, with a starting bid of $1.1 million. 

Don't let Google decide who you trust.

The bidding period lasts from March 13 to 18 and interested parties must pay a refundable $1,000 deposit and a nonrefundable $35 fee to register. 

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Registration is required by March 5 on the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector’s tax auction website.

These public property auctions generate a significant amount of revenue for the county every year — this year’s properties could net at least $18 million for San Diego County if all the properties hit at least the minimum bid. 

While this seems like a great way to obtain a home below market value in California, potential buyers are encouraged to thoroughly research the process and the property and make note that all sales are final. 

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Some offered properties could be withdrawn before the auction starts. If the current owner pays all taxes and fees owed by March 12 at 5 p.m., they can avoid their property going up for sale. 

Running a public auction for properties in default is common across the state. Just last month, Riverside County announced its 2026 auction, which would include nearly 1,000 properties with one starting bid as high as $4.5 million for a commercial property. The country could earn $28,928,041 if all properties meet the minimum bid for the auction, which is scheduled to take place April 23 through 28.

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