State guides / Michigan / Washtenaw County

Washtenaw County property data

Where Washtenaw County's property records live, how its tax and foreclosure sales work, and what Deedplat puts on one map, including Ann Arbor.

8Cities and towns

Hover a town to see its name

Where the records are

The county offices an investor deals with in Washtenaw County, and what each one puts online.

Deeds and mortgages

Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds. The Register of Deeds' self-service site lets you search the recorded document index and view and buy document copies online; a free Fraud Guard alert emails owners when their name is recorded.

Owners and values

Washtenaw County Property/Parcel Lookup (Treasurer and Equalization). The free Property/Parcel Lookup searches by parcel number, owner name or street address and combines Treasurer and Equalization data; delinquent tax searches are on BS&A AccessMyGov.

Tax sales

Washtenaw County Treasurer. Tax-foreclosed properties are sold in online auctions on Auction.com, and terms of sale and updates are posted on the Treasurer's Property Auctions page.

Foreclosure sales

Washtenaw County Sheriff (sales at the Circuit Court). Mortgage foreclosure sale notices are published in the Washtenaw County Legal News, which posts them online with the sale date and time.

Parcel maps

Washtenaw County GIS. Free maps include MapWashtenaw, WashCoGIS maps and the MapStore.

How property is sold here

Washtenaw County follows Michigan's rules, with its own calendar and offices. Read the Michigan guide for how the state works.

Tax sales

Michigan does not sell tax liens; after taxes go unpaid, the county Treasurer forecloses in Circuit Court, takes title, and auctions the property itself. The Washtenaw County Treasurer sells tax-foreclosed properties in online auctions on Auction.com; in 2026 the auctions ran July 27, August 31 and September 28 under a foreclosure order entered February 24, 2026. Bidders register on Auction.com with a $2,000 credit card hold per property, and the minimum bid includes the 2026 summer taxes.

Foreclosure sales

Most Michigan mortgage foreclosures are by advertisement, and the property is sold at a sheriff's sale at the place where the Washtenaw County Circuit Court is held, usually starting at 10:00 a.m. on the date in the notice. Notices are published in the Washtenaw County Legal News, and owners usually have a redemption period after the sale.

Assessed values

Michigan assesses property every year at 50% of market value, with taxable value increases capped at inflation or 5%, whichever is less, until the property sells; local city and township assessors set values and the county Equalization department reviews them.

Transfer tax

Michigan charges a state real estate transfer tax of $7.50 per $1,000 plus a county transfer tax of $1.10 per $1,000, for a total of $8.60 per $1,000 in Ann Arbor and the rest of Washtenaw County.

Worth knowing

Buyers at the Treasurer's auction get title free of most prior liens and mortgages, because the Circuit Court's foreclosure order wipes them out, but they owe all 2026 taxes.

Worth knowing

Former owners whose property sold at a tax auction may claim leftover proceeds after a Michigan Supreme Court ruling, so check the Treasurer's Claiming Remaining Proceeds page.

Worth knowing

Property values are set by each city and township assessor, not by one county office.

Every town in Washtenaw County

The cities, towns and townships inside the county line.

Ann Arbor city
Barton Hills village
Chelsea city
Dexter city
Manchester city
Milan city
Saline city
Ypsilanti city

Questions

Where are deeds recorded in Washtenaw County?

Deeds are recorded by the Washtenaw County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Ann Arbor (phone 734-222-6710). The document index can be searched online and copies bought through the self-service site.

When is the Washtenaw County tax sale?

The Treasurer holds online auctions of tax-foreclosed property on Auction.com in the summer and fall. In 2026 they ran July 27, August 31 and September 28.

How do I find who owns a property in Washtenaw County?

Use the county's free Property/Parcel Lookup, which searches by owner name, address or parcel number, or search deeds on the Register of Deeds' site.

Are Washtenaw County property records online?

Yes. Owner and parcel data, GIS maps and auction terms are free online, and recorded documents can be searched and bought online from the Register of Deeds.

Sources for this guide

Office hours, fees and sale dates change. We checked these sources in October 2026; confirm with the county before you act.

Every parcel in Washtenaw County, on one map

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