50°F
weather icon Clear

273 parcels on auction block for back taxes

Nye County will have 273 properties to auction off in the annual tax sale April 23, up from the 235 listed last year.

Many of the properties, 87 of them, are small, vacant lots less than an acre in the Calvada Valley North subdivision. Many are quarter-acre or 8,800-square-foot lots with minimum bids of just more than $800. Another 78 parcels are in the Calvada Meadows subdivision, many with 20,000 square feet, but most with minimum bids under $1,000.

Nine properties have a residence, the rest are vacant lots. The vast majority, 259 parcels, are in the Pahrump sale, 17 are being auctioned off in Tonopah April 21.

Nye County Treasurer Richard Billman predicted the 2014 tax sale would be the biggest the county ever had. He said a lot of properties being auctioned were part of the Hans Seibt bankruptcy, which was settled recently.

The downturn in the economy is also still being felt in the annual tax sale, he said.

“It would seem logical to me, because of how long it’s been since the big drop, the bubble burst, it would seem to me like we’re getting to the end. The ones who let their properties go, those went within four years. These are ones where people hung on longer. So it seems to me it would be getting winnowed down I hope. That would show we’re doing better,” Billman said.

There’s a reason a lot of properties are being sold in the Calvada North and Calvada Meadows subdivisions, he said.

“A lot of them are properties that people bought thinking they were going to do something with them one day but there’s no water and sewer so they’re unbuildable. They’re the ones that go cheap and the reason they go cheap is they’re not worth saving,” Billman said. “I think in some cases if you could buy two lots, but if you’re buying in an area that’s covered by Utilities Inc. they won’t let you sink a well. To pay them the money it would cost to run a line to you, that’s expensive.”

Originally, 339 properties were up for auction in just the Pahrump tax sale, before 80 owners came into the treasurer’s office at the last minute before the March 18 deadline to settle their tax delinquencies.

“They come in at the last moment and pay off, but a lot of them wait past the last moment. Then it’s too late. March 18th was the last day you could pay your taxes and redeem them out of the trust,” Billman said.

The costliest property up for sale is a property at 1050 E. Bourbon St., on the old Willow Creek golf course, with five apartment units and three built-in garages going for a minimum bid of $9,492. Billman said the property owner is upset and claims he wasn’t notified by an employee. The owner plans to be at the tax sale to try to get his property back, which isn’t unusual at the annual sales, but Billman said there have already been three phone callers inquiring about it. A few owners who were outbid in an attempt to reclaim their former property got emotional last year, adding some drama to the day-long event.

The tax sale last year drew a brisk round of bidding. Nye County sold 120 parcels in Pahrump and another 20 in Tonopah. Billman said the treasurer’s office collected just under $1 million.

One bidder last year, Bernard Hoffman of Los Angeles, had reservations about buying property this year amid talk by the Basin 162 groundwater management committee of a moratorium on growth until a water plan is prepared. Hoffman bought seven properties at the tax sale last year for $40,500.

“When I buy properties at a tax sale I think I’m getting a fair shake,” Hoffman said. “There’s nebulous information and I don’t know which way it’s going to go.”

Hoffman described himself as very conservative at business, unwilling to take chances.

Billman doesn’t think a moratorium is going to happen, at least not in the foreseeable future.

“There’s a couple members on that board that don’t understand when they say things like that there are consequences to what you said,” he said.

Lambertucci’s Roma of Nevada picked up 23 properties, owned by developer Michael Lach. Another nine parcels went to the Kollhopp Family Trust. Mohit Yadav bid on nine parcels.

The Sheree Stringer Family Trust, named after Nye County Personal Property Appraiser Sheree Stringer, collected three properties at the tax sale. Valley Electric Association bid on two parcels, submitting the minimum bids. The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada bid $9,000 for a property at 611 W. Irene St. with a minimum bid of $2,914 that didn’t include personal property.

Rand Holding LLC submitted the highest bid of $100,000 for a parcel at 1060 E. Third St. which had a minimum bid of $9,784.

Bidders must submit a $500 money order, cashier’s check or cash to participate in the auction. The properties must be sold for an amount not less than the taxes, costs, penalties and interest that can be charged against the property. Registration for the southern tax sale begins at 8 a.m., April 23 in commission chambers, 2100 Walt Williams Dr. in Pahrump, the sale begins at 9 a.m.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.