Applicants must put the full bid amount in the Land Bank Authority’s escrow account prior to the initiation of the foreclosure process. The money is due in full prior to the commencement of the Foreclosure and the applicant will be given no less than 10 days notice.

All property is sold with a Security Deed attached detailing the applicants plan of improving the property. If the plan has not been fulfilled within the deadline, the property is subject to the Land Bank Authority’s right of reversion.

For questions regarding the process, please email the Land Bank Authority at landbankauthority@columbusga.gov.

Phase 1

Opportunity Zone Phase 1 - Phase 1 Beallwood

Property List

Phase 2

Opportunity Zone Phase 2 - Phase 2 E Wynnton

Property List

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why does the LBA seek foreclosures on properties?
• Vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties impose significant costs on Georgia’s communities by lowering property values, increasing fire and police protection costs, decreasing tax revenues, and undermining community cohesion. The LBA is designed to return these properties to productive use by acquiring these properties, eliminating the liabilities, and transferring the properties to responsible owners in alignment with community goals and priorities.
  The top 3 goals for intended use are:
  • Conveyance to local government entities for public use;
  • Neighborhood nonprofit entities seeking to obtain the land for low-income housing; and
  • Other individuals and entities intending to produce low-income or moderate-income housing.
• Does the LBA have the authority to foreclose properties?
• No, the Tax Commissioner holds the lien(s) and therefore must foreclose. However, the LBA has a long-standing relationship with the Tax Commissioner that the LBA will present a written request of board approved properties to the Tax Commissioner who will then begin the foreclosure process.
• What authority does the LBA have?
• When a property is acquired by the LBA, the LBA shall have the power to extinguish all county and city taxes and other liens of the city, other than school district taxes, at the time it sells or otherwise disposes of the property.
• How long does it take to acquire a property with clear and marketable title through the Judicial In-Rem Judicial Foreclose process?
• From the time a completed proposal is submitted and approved by the LBA Board, the process takes approximately 8-12 months.
• What is the process for acquiring a property that qualifies for foreclosure?
• 1. A completed application is submitted to the LBA on a rolling basis.
  2. On the second Wednesday of each month, the Board reviews and approves applications. Approved properties are sent to the Tax Commissioner.
  3. The Tax Commissioner notifies the LBA of the start date for the Judicial In Rem Foreclosure.
  4. The applicant is contacted by the LBA and has 2 weeks to deposit the full purchase price into escrow.
  5. At the end of the 2 weeks, a final list is sent to the Tax Commissioner with approved properties that have met the payment deadline.
  6. The properties are run through the Judicial In Rem Foreclosure which takes approximately 4 months.
  7. The properties go to tax sale where the LBA will place the opening bid.
  8. The LBA holds the property for the 60 day right of redemption period.
  9. The LBA extinguishes the City or County lien(s) on the property.
  10. The LBA and applicant close on the property.
• Is an applicant selected by the LBA Board to acquire a property guaranteed to receive the property?
• No, there are several ways an applicant may not receive the property after a Board approves their application.
  1. The applicant fails to meet deadlines.
  2. The owner of the property pays all liens at any time prior to the end of the 60 day right of redemption period.
  3. The LBA is out bid at the tax sale. The LBA only makes the opening bid, therefore any third-party bidder can cause the LBA not to acquire the property.
• Can an applicant be responsible for fees, even if they do not close on the property?
• Depending on the reason the applicant did not close on the property, they may be responsible for some fees.
  1. If an applicant backs out of the sale, the applicant may lose all the funds placed in escrow.
  2. An applicant requesting a property not advertised on the LBA website may be required to pay legal fees if the property liens are paid by the owner after the initiation of the foreclosure.
  3. All the applicant’s funds will be returned to the applicant if the LBA is out bid at the tax sale.
• When is the deadline for applications?
• Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. Only completed and accurate applications turned in 7 days prior to the next Land Bank Board Meeting will be considered. Please check the Land Bank Board Meeting tab to find out when the next scheduled Board Meeting will take place. Meetings are open to the public and held at 420 10th St. Columbus, Georgia 31901 in the first floor conference room.
• Are the properties listed on the Qualified for Foreclosure list owned by the Land Bank Authority?
• These properties are not owned by the Land Bank Authority but qualify for a Judicial-In-Rem Foreclosure. The properties listed by the LBA have long outstanding liens, no less than 5 years, and efforts have been made to contact property owners by the Tax Commissioner and/or LBA.