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Russell County, Alabama Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Russell County, Alabama Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List — practical guide covering setup, examples, and common mistakes.

Austin Beveridge

Austin Beveridge

Tennessee, Goliath Teammate

Russell County, Alabama currently has 29 tax-delinquent properties on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Russell County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the County Revenue Commissioner (Tax Collector in some counties), how Alabama's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

  • 29 tax-delinquent properties are currently on record in Russell County, AL, refreshed weekly from public records.
  • Plus additional distressed properties (foreclosures, liens, probate) shown in the live breakdown below.
  • How to pull the official Russell County tax-delinquent list, and how Alabama's tax-sale + redemption process works, so you act on real, current numbers, not a generic explainer.

GoliathData currently tracks 29 tax-delinquent properties in Russell County, AL, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of June 29, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

Tax Delinquency

29

Jun 29

Sheriff Sale

2

Apr 27

Lien

2

Jun 8

Trustee Sale

2

Jun 22

Divorce

2

May 11

Probate

1

Jun 22

State Lien

1

Apr 13

Code Violation

1

Jun 22

Vacant

1

Mar 16

Foreclosure

1

Jun 22

Source: GoliathData real-time county records. Refreshed weekly.

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Russell County, Alabama currently has 29 tax-delinquent properties on record as of late June 2026. That moderate count signals a meaningful but not saturated opportunity pool for investors and owner-occupants. The presence of additional distressed properties across other categories amplifies the landscape: 2 sheriff sales, 2 liens, 2 trustee sales, 2 divorces, 1 foreclosure, 1 probate case, and 1 code violation property. Together, these 41 properties in various stages of legal or financial distress indicate a county where motivated sellers and distressed asset situations exist, but competition from institutional buyers and other investors is likely manageable rather than cutthroat.

The 29 tax-delinquent properties are the primary focus for tax sale bidders in Russell County. These represent owners who have fallen behind on property taxes, triggering the county's legal process to recover unpaid taxes through eventual sale. The smaller number of other lien types (2 state liens, 1 judgment lien, 1 medical lien) and the single foreclosure mean that while overlapping claims and title complications do exist, they are not dominant. A buyer entering this market should expect a mix of properties with different risk profiles: some may be owner-occupied homes where redemption is likely, others may be vacant or abandoned parcels where the owner has walked away.

The presence of 2 probate cases and 1 preprobate filing suggests that estate settlements are underway in Russell County, and heirs or administrators may be motivated to clear tax debts quickly. Similarly, the 2 divorce cases indicate that property division and the resulting need to liquidate or refinance is creating distressed sales. These circumstances often lead to reduced bidding competition and faster closings once a property moves to tax sale.

For investors, the 29 tax-delinquent count is sufficient to justify building a disciplined acquisition strategy. The low foreclosure count (1) compared to tax delinquencies suggests that Russell County homeowners are more likely to be caught off-guard by tax bills than to face mortgage defaults, which can mean better title clarity and fewer competing liens in many cases. However, each property must still be individually vetted before bidding.

How to get the official Russell County tax-delinquent list

The Russell County Revenue Commissioner is the authoritative office responsible for publishing, maintaining, and updating the tax-delinquent property list. This is the county official who collects property taxes and manages the process of identifying and selling properties for unpaid taxes.

To obtain the current list of tax-delinquent properties in Russell County, contact the County Revenue Commissioner directly. Request a copy of the delinquent tax roll or delinquent property list. Ask for the list in digital format if possible, including property identification numbers (PINs), owner names, parcel descriptions, and the amount of back taxes owed.

The Russell County Revenue Commissioner typically publishes notices of tax sales in a local newspaper as required by Alabama law. Ask the office which newspaper carries these notices and how far in advance notices are published. Many counties now post delinquent lists and sale schedules on their official websites or via the county clerk's office; confirm whether Russell County does so and bookmark that page for regular updates.

You can also request to be notified when the next tax sale is scheduled. The Revenue Commissioner's office maintains the official auction schedule. Call, email, or visit in person to request that information and to clarify whether bidding is conducted in person, online, by phone, or by sealed bid.

How Alabama's tax sale and redemption process works

Alabama's tax sale process begins when a property owner falls behind on real property taxes for a statutory period (typically the tax year plus additional delinquency thresholds set by state law). The Russell County Revenue Commissioner then initiates collection proceedings and, if taxes remain unpaid, schedules the property for public sale.

Notice of the pending sale is published in a newspaper of record in Russell County for a legally mandated period before the sale date. This notice includes the property's legal description, the amount of taxes owed, and the date, time, and location of the sale. Interested buyers and the current owner (who may redeem) have notice and opportunity to act.

The actual tax sale in Alabama is typically conducted as an open auction held by the county sheriff or tax collector. Bidders compete on the opening bid amount, which is set at or near the unpaid tax amount plus costs and interest. The property goes to the highest bidder. In Russell County, confirm with the Revenue Commissioner whether sales are held in person at the courthouse, online, or by another method.

Alabama law grants a redemption period after the sale. During this window, the original owner (or certain lien holders) may pay off the full sale price plus costs and interest to reclaim the property from the buyer. The length of this redemption period and the exact calculation of redemption amounts are set by Alabama statute and Russell County ordinance; confirm these details with the Revenue Commissioner before bidding, as they directly affect your return on investment and when you can take possession.

Once the redemption period expires without redemption, the purchaser receives a tax deed granting full ownership. At that point, you own the property free and clear of the tax lien, though other liens (judgment, code enforcement, etc.) may survive the tax sale and attach to your title. This is why title research before bidding is essential.

Due diligence and risks

Before bidding on any tax-delinquent property in Russell County, conduct thorough due diligence. Start with a title search at the Russell County courthouse or through a title company. Identify all liens, judgments, code violations, and other encumbrances that will affect the property post-purchase.

Check whether the property is occupied. Visit the site or hire a local investigator to confirm if a tenant, owner, or squatter is living on or using the land. Occupancy affects redemption likelihood, your timeline to possession, and potential tenant-related legal obligations.

Inspect the physical condition of the structure, if any. Tax-delinquent properties are often neglected, and repairs can be expensive. Factor remediation costs into your bid ceiling. Some properties may have code violations (Russell County has 1 on record); confirm any municipal citations and the cost to cure them.

Verify that the property has no environmental liens, hazardous history, or compliance orders that would surprise you after purchase. Contact the Russell County Health Department, Environmental Management, and Building/Planning departments to clear the property.

Understand that you are bidding on the property as-is. The county does not warrant title or condition. Winning a tax sale bid does not guarantee a clean deed; it grants you the right to the tax sale proceeds and, after redemption expires, a tax deed subject to any surviving liens.

Finally, clarify whether the redemption period in Russell County allows the original owner to reclaim the property after you win the bid. If the owner redeems, you receive your money back plus interest, but you lose the property. Budget for this possibility in your financial projections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the Russell County tax-delinquent property list?

Contact the Russell County Revenue Commissioner directly. Request the delinquent tax roll in digital or printed format. The office should provide property descriptions, tax amounts owed, and the schedule for upcoming sales. You can also ask to be added to mailing lists for sale notices and check whether Russell County posts the list online through the county website or clerk's office.

When is the next Russell County tax sale?

The exact date and time of the next tax sale is determined by the Russell County Revenue Commissioner and published in local newspapers and official notices well in advance. Contact the Revenue Commissioner's office directly to obtain the current auction schedule. Dates typically vary by year depending on the delinquency cycle and state law requirements, so do not assume a fixed schedule.

What is the redemption period in Russell County, and how does it work?

Alabama law provides a redemption period after the tax sale during which the original owner can reclaim the property by paying the purchaser the sale price plus costs and interest. The exact length of this period and the calculation of redemption amounts are set by state statute and Russell County ordinance. Contact the County Revenue Commissioner to confirm the specific redemption timeline and amount for your property before bidding, as this directly affects your investment timeline and return.

Is investing in Russell County tax-delinquent properties worth it?

That depends on your goals, capital, and risk tolerance. Russell County has 29 tax-delinquent properties, a manageable pool for disciplined investors. The low foreclosure count and presence of probate and divorce cases suggest motivated sellers and lower bidding competition than in larger markets. However, not all 29 properties will be profitable. Some will be redeemed by owners, some will carry hidden liens or code violations, and some may be in poor condition. Success requires detailed due diligence on each property, clear financial projections, and patience through the redemption period. For investors willing to do the homework, tax sales can yield good returns; for passive buyers, they may underperform. Start by reviewing 3 to 5 specific Russell County properties before committing capital.

More Alabama Tax Delinquent Property Lists

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

Sources

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