Delaware
Delaware sells at sheriff's sale rather than running a lien auction, and the 'return' is a fixed redemption premium rather than a bid-down rate. Most sales use the 'monition' method, run in all three counties: a 60-day redemption window where, if the owner buys back the property, the winning bidder gets their purchase price back plus a flat 15%. Kent and Sussex counties also offer a 'direct sale' alternative with a full 1-year redemption window and a 20% premium instead. Procedure genuinely changes at the county line — New Castle only runs monition sales — so a 15% return in 60 days and a 20% return over a year can both be 'Delaware' depending which county and method you're bidding under.
Quick answers
Is Delaware a tax lien or tax deed state?+
Delaware is a redeemable deed (sheriff sale) state.
What's the interest rate or penalty in Delaware?+
In Delaware, the rate is: Fixed premium, not an annual rate — 15% or 20%.
How long is the redemption period in Delaware?+
The redemption period in Delaware is 60 days (monition, 15% premium) or 1 year (direct sale, Kent/Sussex only, 20%).
Not sure how Delaware's system compares to a state you already know? Read Tax Lien vs. Tax Deed: What's the Difference? for the full breakdown.
Planning to resell or finance a Delaware tax deed? Read You Won a Tax Deed. Why Can't You Sell It Yet? before you assume the deed alone is enough.
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.