Step 1 · Where are you buying?
Step 2 · Six questions land banks ask
Do you currently owe delinquent property taxes on anything you own?
Have you lost a property to tax foreclosure in the last five years?
Do you have open code-violation or blight cases on property you own?
Would you struggle to show proof of funds for the purchase plus renovation?
Would a deadline-bound renovation or occupancy commitment be a problem for you?
Are you buying from out of state, or through a company or LLC?
6 questions left
Eligibility questions, answered
- Who can buy from a land bank?
- Almost anyone without disqualifying history: the screens land banks apply most often are delinquent property taxes, a recent tax foreclosure, and open code violations. Investors and out-of-state buyers can usually buy too, with extra rules — registration, local agents, or occupancy commitments vary by program.
- What disqualifies you from buying land bank property?
- The big three are unpaid property taxes, losing a property to tax foreclosure in the last three to five years, and unresolved code-violation or blight cases. All three are fixable — clear the debt or close the case and most programs will consider you again.
- Do you need cash to buy from a land bank?
- Usually you need to show proof of funds for the purchase and the planned renovation, and most sub-$50k purchases end up being cash deals — traditional mortgages rarely work at these prices. Some land banks offer land contracts or accept renovation loans.
- Is this an official eligibility decision?
- No — every land bank reviews applications case by case. This checker mirrors the published screens and shows each land bank's own posted requirements with a link to the official page, so you know what you're walking into before you apply.
New to the process? Start with how to buy from a land bank or find yours in the land bank locator.