The Monday morning vestibule of the Blaine County Courthouse was a crowded place. Hopeful bidders gathered to see if they could pick up a bargain at the delinquent tax sale at the treasurer’s office. More than 30 folks milled about, probably glad to be in out of the rain.
Treasurer Donna Hoskins, in her last sale before her Friday retirement, handed out lists of the properties and issued instructions. She reminded bidders the properties were sold as and must be paid for in cash – that means green folding money, not check, not card, real greenbacks. Bidders had to have the cash in hand, because after purchase they are not allowed to leave the premises to go even to the bank. There is an ATM in the office, though. Winning bidders were also advised to seek a quiet title on the properties to ensure unknown liens were voided. That can cost about $3,500 on top of the purchase price, although every attorney sets his or her own prices.
There were seven properties to be sold, one in Okeene and the remainder inside the city limits of Watonga. They included two empty lots and four houses.
Some of the properties faced brisk bidding, but it was not the fast-paced chatter of an auctioneer. Bidders could and did often ask what the current bid was and mulled over their next bid before issuing it.
The top selling property was a house on north Leach Avenue, that the new owner said would be cleaned up and used as a rental. There was a single no-sale, a derelict house on north Wikoff that is in the process of demolition.
Each property was announced in the vestibule and the interested parties – including the City of Watonga, represented by the city manager – would step into the treasurer’s office. Some properties gathered a lot of interest and others had only a single bidder.
The no sale will revert to the county commissioners who will later attempt to sell it and recoup the delinquent tax dollars attached to it.