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Tax-forfeited properties sold on Rock County auction May 23

Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

Four Rock County tax-forfeited properties were sold at an informal auction Wednesday morning, May 23, and all four properties found new owners.
A dozen people gathered in the commissioners’ room of the Rock County Courthouse in Luverne with auditor-treasurer Ashley Kurtz, who conducted the auction.
Kurtz outlined conditions of the sale and reminded those in attendance of other taxes and fees associated with the tax-forfeited sale.
All sales were final and possession was immediate.
“They are free to do what they want with it,” Kurtz said.
The parcels were sold in the order they appeared in the legal notice.
The first parcel was located in Luverne, a bare lot area located near the railroad by West Mead Court.
Gary Lee with CHS Luverne bid the minimum of $6,200 for the land adjacent to the business. His was the only bid.
The other three parcels included uninhabitable houses on the properties. Opening bids on these parcels were $1, set by commissioners at their April 17 meeting.
The home at 108 S. Buckingham Street in Hardwick went to Cole Johnson of Hardwick, who was the higher bidder of two with the final bid of $3,800.
Johnson said he is currently staying with relatives and is anxious to start the remodel on his first home. He said work could begin Memorial Day weekend.
Terry Berndt of Ellsworth bought the home at 232 S. Steen St. in Steen with a high bid of $600. He plans to improve the home and offer it as a possible rental property.
The city of Steen purchased the property at 220 E. Railroad St. in Steen for $1 after no bidders showed interest in the parcel.
Steen Mayor Mel Van Batavia purchased the parcel on behalf of the city council, which intends to demolish the house.
“There is a double garage that someone wants … but the house needs to be torn down,” he said.
There were 16 properties up for tax forfeiture in Rock County this year. Eight property owners made payments and one signed a 10-year payment plan.
While four went to public auction, three properties were sold for $1 to the cities of Luverne, Hills and Hardwick prior to the sale. 
The municipalities intend to remove the structures on the properties as blight control measures in their communities.

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