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Officials review procedures for selling tax-acquired properties and note title complications
Summary
The board reviewed Maine sale procedures for tax-acquired property (90-day notice, 12-month listing with a licensed broker, possible auction or sealed bids if unsold) and flagged two parcels with probate or cloudy titles that could complicate resale.
Town officials reviewed the statutory process for selling tax-acquired property and discussed steps to clear and market two specific problem parcels.
Staff summarized the required pre-sale steps: provide a 90-day certified notice, list the property with a Maine-licensed real-estate broker at the highest agreeable price and allow at least 12 months for the listing, and, if a broker is unavailable or the broker cannot sell within 12 months, return to the municipality's other authorized sale methods (for example, auction or sealed bids). "Municipality must allow at least 12 months at the listing," the staff member said.
Members noted that the town usually only recovers expenses from such sales and that liens (mechanic's liens or other claims) and bank interests complicate clear title. Two properties were identified for follow-up: one apparently in probate and another on 22 Bliss Road with long-standing unclear ownership, meaning buyers would assume title risk. The group agreed to ask the Maine Municipal Association for guidance about accepting offers below list price and to investigate title and lien status before listing.
Next steps: staff will seek advice from MMA, research liens and probate status for the identified parcels, and identify a licensed broker to list the properties if appropriate.
