There are many opportunities to purchase real property (real estate) from state and federal government agencies. For example, many cities, towns, and counties have sheriff’s sales or auctions—many of which a buyer can participate in online. You can locate more information about these sales in your city, town, or county by searching online for sheriff’s sales, tax foreclosure sales, and delinquent property tax sales.

State and federal government agencies sell real property assets for several reasons:

• Law enforcement agencies sell real property seized from or forfeited by criminals.

• The U.S. Treasury Department and state departments of revenue sell items forfeited for violations of Treasury laws or state tax laws—including failure to pay income taxes and property taxes.

• Agencies sell items they no longer need.

United States General Services Administration (GSA)

The United States General Services Administration (GSA) is a federal governmental agency that is responsible for promoting effective use of federal real property assets—as well as the disposal of real property that is no longer mission-critical to federal agencies.

With thousands of properties in the federal portfolio, disposing of underused federal property is a considerable task. GSA—while working together with partner federal agencies, state and local governments, non-profit organizations, business groups, and citizens—leaves a lasting positive impact on communities by making valuable government real estate available for numerous public purposes.

Unneeded or underutilized federal property can vary widely in type and value, and may include:

• Undeveloped land;

• Office buildings;

• Warehouses;

• Commercial and industrial facilities;

• Military holdings; and

• Single- and multi-family residences.

These former federal properties can contribute to a community’s vitality by providing benefits such as:

• Expanded employment opportunities;

• Housing for the homeless; and

• Establishment of educational centers, parks, and open spaces.

Real property available for purchase from the U.S. government may be located in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories.

• The Office of Real Property Utilization & Disposal Resource Center provides information about the handling of excess real property and information on properties being offered for sale to the general public. https://disposal.gsa.gov/s/

• GSA’s Real Property auction website allows the public to bid on property 24 hours a day/365 days a year. https://realestatesales.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/

Additional information is available specifically for:

Federal agencies disposing of real property:

• https://disposal.gsa.gov/FAA

Federal agencies looking for real property:

• https://disposal.gsa.gov/FederalExcessNotices

State agencies and public organizations looking for real property:

• https://disposal.gsa.gov/SurplusNotices

Citizens looking for real property:

• https://realestatesales.gov

You can bid on real estate for sale through the following federal agencies’ websites:

• Fannie Mae

• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

In Florida, individuals have the opportunity to purchase real estate from state and federal government agencies through various sales and auctions, including sheriff's sales, tax foreclosure sales, and delinquent property tax sales. These sales can often be accessed online. Law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Treasury Department, and state departments of revenue may sell real property seized from criminals or forfeited due to violations of laws, including tax delinquencies. The General Services Administration (GSA) is responsible for the disposal of federal real property that is no longer needed for federal purposes, which can range from undeveloped land to residential properties. These properties can be used for community benefits such as employment, housing, and educational centers. The GSA and other federal agencies, including Fannie Mae, FDIC, USDA, HUD, and the VA, offer real estate for sale to the public through auctions and sales, which can be found on their respective websites. Florida residents interested in these opportunities can find more information and participate in the bidding process through the provided federal websites and by searching for local sales in their area.