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 Virginia, as in other states, there are various opportunities to purchase real estate from state and federal government agencies. These sales often occur due to property seizure from criminals, forfeiture for tax violations, or because the property is no longer needed by the agency. The General Services Administration (GSA) is the federal agency responsible for the disposal of federal real property. The GSA and other agencies list properties for sale that can range from undeveloped land to residential and commercial buildings. These properties can be found across the United States, including Virginia, and can be used for purposes that benefit the community, such as housing, employment, or public spaces. Interested buyers can find information and participate in auctions through the GSA's Real Property Utilization & Disposal Resource Center and auction website. Additionally, other federal agencies like Fannie Mae, FDIC, USDA, HUD, and the Department of Veterans Affairs also offer real estate for sale through their respective websites. Local sheriff's sales, tax foreclosure sales, and delinquent property tax sales are also avenues through which the public can purchase government-owned real estate in Virginia.