Florida vs Georgia
Same underlying data as the individual state pages, side by side. Statutory rates and redemption windows only — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.
| | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Sale type | Tax lien certificate | Redeemable deed |
| Rate / penalty | Up to 18%, bid down to 0.25% | 20% premium in year one, +10% each later year |
| Redemption | 2 years | 12 months, then until barment notice |
These aren't the same kind of sale: Florida runs a tax lien certificate, while Georgia runs a redeemable deed. That changes what you actually hold after the sale — a claim against the debt in one case, the property itself (or a right to it) in the other.
Redemption windows differ: Florida gives owners 2 years, Georgia gives 12 months, then until barment notice — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Florida sells tax lien certificates at auction with bidding conducted by bid-down — investors compete by accepting a lower interest rate, down from the statutory maximum of 18%. Property owners have two years to redeem before the certificate holder can apply for a tax deed.
Full Florida page →Georgia sells the property itself at a sheriff's or tax commissioner's sale (O.C.G.A. § 48-4-1), and the buyer receives a tax deed that stays defeasible while the right of redemption lasts. The owner or anyone with an interest can redeem within 12 months, and afterwards until the buyer forecloses the right with a barment notice under § 48-4-45, by paying the full bid plus taxes the buyer paid and a premium of 20% for the first year or fraction of a year and 10% for each year after (§ 48-4-42). Overbids become excess funds payable to the owner and lienholders (§ 48-4-5).
Full Georgia page →Property & tax market
| | Florida | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $359,000 | $303,300 |
| Median property tax / year | $2,730 | $2,341 |
| Tax / home value | 0.8% | 0.8% |
| Tax / household income | 3.7% | 3.0% |
| Homes owned outright | 43.7% | 36.6% |
| “Other vacant” homes | 2.8% | 4.6% |
| Median year built | 1988 | 1992 |
A typical home in Florida pays 1.2× the property tax of one in Georgia ($2,730 against $2,341 a year). That is the scale of what a typical home owes per unpaid year in each state, and of the money a certificate or a deed sale's opening bid is built from.
Homes owned outright — where no lender has a reason to pay the delinquent bill for the owner — are 43.7% of owner-occupied homes in Florida and 36.6% in Georgia. The Census “other vacant” share (foreclosures, homes in legal limbo or needing repairs, abandoned homes) is 2.8% against 4.6%: Georgia has more of the empty properties that tend to go unredeemed — and to need work if the deed ends up yours.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25077, B25103, B25081, B25002, B25004, B25035, B19013). Medians of what owners report paying, not statutory rates. County-level figures are on each state page.
Quick answers
Is Florida or Georgia a tax lien state?+
Florida is a tax lien certificate state. Georgia is a redeemable deed state.
Which has the higher rate, Florida or Georgia?+
Florida: Up to 18%, bid down to 0.25%. Georgia: 20% premium in year one, +10% each later year. Compare the actual statutory ceiling, not just the headline number — most "up to" rates get bid down at auction.
Which redeems faster, Florida or Georgia?+
Redemption windows differ: Florida gives owners 2 years, Georgia gives 12 months, then until barment notice — the state with the shorter window resolves faster, for better or worse depending on what you're optimizing for.
Are property taxes higher in Florida or Georgia?+
The median homeowner pays $2,730 a year in Florida and $2,341 in Georgia (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates). A typical home in Florida pays 1.2× the property tax of one in Georgia ($2,730 against $2,341 a year). That is the scale of what a typical home owes per unpaid year in each state, and of the money a certificate or a deed sale's opening bid is built from.
Want to line up more than two states, or swap in different ones? Use the interactive comparison tool — up to four states at once.
See where these two rank against all 50 states: full rankings.
This page is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates and redemption periods are set by state statute and can change by county or legislative session — always confirm against the county's own auction notice before bidding.