Yes, you can sell land with back taxes in McLennan County. Watch out for Ag Exemption rollback taxes, 2026 deadlines, and why land sits longer on the market than houses.
We understand this might be a difficult time. Get a compassionate consultation and fair cash offer.
Can you sell a vacant lot or acreage in Waco if you owe delinquent property taxes?
Yes. Just like with a house, you can sell land with back taxes. The overdue amount is deducted from the final sale price at closing and sent to the McLennan County Tax Office. You walk away with the remaining profit.
Land is much harder to sell quickly than a house. While a house in Woodway or Hewitt might sell in 60 days, raw land in McLennan County can sit on the market for 6 to 12 months if priced incorrectly. If you are racing against a tax foreclosure or a penalty deadline, you do not have the luxury of time.
The tax clock ticks the same for land as it does for homes.
You owe the base tax amount.
Delinquency hits. 7% penalty + interest.
"Attorney Collection Fee" (15–20%) kicks in.
The Land Owner's Trap: Because land takes longer to sell, many owners list their property in January, thinking they have time. But if it takes 5 months to find a buyer, you will be paying those escalating penalties at closing—eating up thousands of dollars of your profit.
This is the #1 surprise that ruins land deals in Texas. If your land currently has an Agricultural (Ag) Exemption (for grazing, hay, etc.) and you sell it to someone who changes the use (like a developer or someone building a home), you could trigger Rollback Taxes.
Worried about Rollback Taxes?
Don't let complex tax rules stop you from selling. We buy land directly and can help you navigate the Ag Exemption rules.
Get a cash offer for your land here »It's not just property taxes. If your lot is inside city limits (Waco, Robinson, Bellmead), you are likely paying for:
If you have plans to build later, pay the taxes before Feb 1st to avoid the 7% fee.
You can hire a land specialist to list the property.
If you inherited land you don't use, or if the taxes are piling up, a cash sale is the fastest exit.
Skip the generic online estimators. We know the local Waco market.
Get your land value assessmentDon't let a vacant piece of dirt ruin your credit or drain your bank account. Dabney Real Estate Group specializes in Texas land. We can stop the tax penalties and put a check in your hand.
If selling fast is your priority, request a no-obligation offer and we can typically respond within 24 hours.
We've helped dozens of Texas families through difficult property situations with compassion and fairness.
