Essex County, Massachusetts Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Key Takeaways

• Essex County, Massachusetts has 1 tax-delinquent property on record in Goliath Data's county records from public records.
• The same records show 12 probate, 12 preprobate, 5 divorce, 3 lien, 3 permit filing and 2 state lien properties, so estate and title activity outweighs tax delinquency.
• The official delinquent list for Essex County is kept at the city or town level, so start with the Collector-Treasurer in the municipality where the property sits and confirm the process with that office.
• Timing and procedures can differ between towns such as Salem, Lynn, Lawrence and Haverhill, so confirm them with the local Collector-Treasurer rather than assuming one municipality's process carries over to another.

Essex County, Massachusetts currently has 1 tax-delinquent property on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Essex County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the current count, how to pull the official list from the Town or City Collector-Treasurer, how Massachusetts's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

• 1 tax-delinquent property are currently on record in Essex County, MA from public records.
• Plus additional distressed properties (preforeclosure, liens, probate) shown in the breakdown below.
• How to pull the official Essex County tax-delinquent list, and how Massachusetts's tax-sale + redemption process works, so you act on real, current numbers, not a generic explainer.

Goliath Data currently tracks 1 tax-delinquent property in Essex County, MA, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of July 13, 2026 from public records:

Source: GoliathData county records.

What do the Essex County numbers mean for buyers and investors?

Essex County, Massachusetts is showing a tax delinquency count of 1 property as of July 13, 2026. While this is a modest number in isolation, it exists within a broader context of distressed property activity that signals real opportunity for informed buyers.

The county's distressed landscape includes 12 probate cases and 12 preprobate filings, 5 divorce proceedings, 3 liens, and 2 state liens. These numbers paint a picture of estates in transition, marital dissolutions, and title encumbrances that often precede or accompany tax delinquency. Additionally, the table lists 1 preforeclosure and 1 notice of default in the county, indicating that the traditional distressed-property pipeline remains active.

What matters most to a buyer or investor: a single tax-delinquent property may seem limited, but Essex County's probate and preprobate volume, combined with ongoing foreclosure and lien activity, suggests sustained churn in the property market. Competition for tax delinquencies will be lighter than in counties with dozens or hundreds of delinquent parcels, but the surrounding distressed inventory means that if you are ready to move quickly with due diligence and capital, opportunities exist. The presence of 3 liens, 1 mechanic lien, and 2 state liens underscores that buyers must perform thorough title and encumbrance searches before bidding.

How do you get the official Essex County tax-delinquent list?

In Massachusetts, delinquent property taxes are generally handled by the municipality rather than by Essex County. This means you should contact the Town or City Collector-Treasurer in the specific municipality within Essex County where you wish to search for tax-delinquent properties.

Essex County includes municipalities such as Salem, Lynn, Lawrence, Haverhill, Peabody, Marblehead, Saugus, Nahant, Swampscott, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, Rockport, Amesbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury, Groveland, Boxford, Topsfield, Wenham, Hamilton, Danvers, Middleton, North Andover, Andover, Methuen, Lynnfield, Wakefield, and Reading.

To obtain the tax-delinquent list, follow these steps:

• Contact the Town or City Collector-Treasurer in your target municipality. You can find contact information through the town or city website, typically under the Tax Collector or Treasurer department.
• Request the list of properties that are tax-delinquent or in danger of tax sale. Specify whether you want current-year or multi-year delinquencies.
• Ask when the municipality publishes its tax sale list and what notice period is given before the sale takes place.
• Inquire how the list is maintained and updated, whether it is posted online, and if a subscription or notification service is available.
• Confirm the specific terms of any upcoming tax sale in that municipality, including the sale date, redemption period, and method of sale (sealed bid, auction, etc.).

Because the process is handled by each municipality, timing, procedures, and redemption rights can vary between towns within Essex County. Do not assume one municipality's process applies to another.

How does Massachusetts' tax sale and redemption process work?

Sale type, redemption rights and interest are set by Massachusetts law and each municipality's own procedures; confirm them with the Collector-Treasurer of the city or town where the property sits before bidding.

In general, the Collector-Treasurer's office handles delinquent property taxes, and the notices, timelines and any sale method (such as sealed bid or auction) vary by municipality; you must confirm them with the specific Collector-Treasurer.

Redemption rights matter to any buyer of tax-delinquent property: an owner, or a party with an interest such as a lienholder or mortgagee, may be able to redeem by paying the taxes, interest, costs, and expenses owed. The exact length and terms of that right must be confirmed with the Collector-Treasurer in your municipality.

Whether a purchaser receives clear title, and which liens or mortgages survive a tax sale, depends on Massachusetts law and the type of proceeding; get a title search and an attorney's opinion before assuming that earlier liens are wiped out. The redemption right can cut both ways for a buyer: you may win the sale, but the property may be redeemed before you take title.

It is critical that you contact the specific Town or City Collector-Treasurer for the municipality where the property is located to learn the exact notice period, sale date, redemption timeline, sale procedure, and any local requirements that may apply.

What due diligence and risks apply to Essex County tax sales?

Tax-delinquent properties in Essex County often carry multiple risks that a buyer must investigate thoroughly before bidding or purchasing.

Title encumbrances are the first concern. Essex County's current data shows 3 liens, 2 state liens, and 1 mechanic lien active in the same period as the tax delinquency. Whether a tax sale extinguishes prior liens depends on Massachusetts law and the type of sale; federal tax liens, judgment liens, and certain other claims may survive the sale or be owed by the new owner. Always conduct a title search and lien search at the Essex County Registry of Deeds before bidding.

Property condition is another critical risk. Tax-delinquent properties are often vacant, abandoned, or deferred-maintenance cases. You may not be able to inspect the property thoroughly before purchase, and costs to remediate, repair, or demolish can quickly exceed the purchase price. Request as much information as possible from the Collector-Treasurer about the property's occupancy and condition.

Occupancy rights matter legally and practically. Some tax-delinquent properties have tenants or adverse possessors with legal claims to occupy them. Eviction proceedings can be costly and protracted. Confirm who, if anyone, is living in or using the property before you bid.

Probate and divorce complications are present in Essex County (12 probate, 12 preprobate, 5 divorce cases noted). If a tax-delinquent property is part of an estate or divorce settlement, the Collector-Treasurer may be constrained in timing or authority to sell until those proceedings close. Ask the Collector-Treasurer whether the delinquent property is involved in any such proceeding.

Redemption risk remains critical. Even if you win the tax sale, the prior owner or a lienholder may redeem the property during the redemption period. Only after that period expires do you have secure title. Confirm the redemption period with the Collector-Treasurer and plan your capital and timeline accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the official list of tax-delinquent properties in Essex County?

Contact the Town or City Collector-Treasurer in the specific municipality where you are searching. Tax delinquency is generally handled at the municipal level here, not the county level. The Collector-Treasurer will provide you with the delinquent tax list, notice of any upcoming tax sale, and the redemption timeline. A list of Essex County municipalities is available from the Essex County government website.

When is the next tax sale in Essex County?

The timing of tax sales varies by municipality within Essex County. Each town or city sets its own sale schedule based on state law and local policy. You must contact the Town or City Collector-Treasurer for your target municipality to learn the date of the next tax sale, the notice period, and the list of properties to be sold. Some municipalities hold sales annually, while others may sell less frequently.

How long is the redemption period after a tax sale in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts grants the property owner and other parties a statutory right to redeem the property after a tax sale by paying the taxes, interest, and costs owed. The exact length of this redemption period is set by Massachusetts law and municipal practice, and it varies. You must confirm the specific redemption period with the Town or City Collector-Treasurer in the municipality where the property is located. Do not assume the period is the same across all of Essex County.

Is buying a tax-delinquent property in Essex County worth the risk?

It depends on your capital, timeline, and risk tolerance. The current count of 1 tax-delinquent property in Essex County is modest, so competition is likely lower than in counties with dozens of delinquent parcels. However, you must account for the redemption period, the cost of title and lien searches, potential title defects, property condition, occupancy complications, and the possibility that the owner redeems before you take title. Many successful investors profit from tax sales, but only after thorough due diligence and a realistic budget for repairs, holding costs, and legal fees. Always consult with a local real estate attorney and title company before bidding.

More Massachusetts Tax Delinquent Property Lists

Browse the full Massachusetts tax delinquent properties for sale list for every county, or jump straight to a nearby list:

• Hampden County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list
• Hampshire County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list
• Middlesex County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list
• Plymouth County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list
• Suffolk County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list
• Worcester County, MA tax delinquent properties for sale list

Sources

• Town or City Collector-Treasurer, the official delinquent-property list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption details for Essex County. Contact the office directly for current specifics.
• U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts, population, housing, and ownership context for Essex County, Massachusetts.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, guidance on buying foreclosed and distressed homes.
• GoliathData county records, the distressed-property signal counts above, compiled from public records.