STATE OF MINNESOTA TAX-FORFEITED PROPERTY, MANAGED BY STEARNS COUNTY

General Description

20 acre land locked parcel in St. Wendel Township. NO EASEMENTS OR ACCESS EASEMENTS RECORDED. See easement title work attachment.

Legal Description:  The East Half of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (E½SW¼SE¼ of Section Three (3), in Township One Hundred Twenty-five (125) North of Range Twenty-nine (29) West. 

Parcel Number: 33.21829.0000

Special Assessments Before Forfeiture: CONTACT ST. WENDEL  TWP

Environmental Review:

Zoning: A-40 

Building Entitlement: This parcel is a lot of record and has a building entitlement. The parcel is allowed to have one dwelling provided that all other provisions of the Stearns County ordinance are met*.  See other comments. 

Setbacks: 
50ft side yard 

50ft rear yard 

63ft township road centerline or 30ft from ROW 

700ft from residential dwelling to any feedlots 

Lot Coverage: 25% maximum 

Permitting: Stearns County Environmental Services 

Wetlands: Wetlands cover the entire parcel. 

Other: Entire parcel is covered by wetland.  County Ditch #12 borders the parcel on the west and south side.  Most of the property is within Native Plant Community.  Appears to be landlocked unless there is an existing easement on record. 

Obligation of Bidder

At the time of auction's closing, each bidder will be presumed to have read and to be thoroughly familiar with any and all plans, contract documents and documents attached to the auction listing, including but not limited to Stearns County Online Land Sales: Standard Disclaimer and Stearns County Terms and Conditions. The failure or omission of any bidder to examine any form, instrument or document shall in no way relieve any bidder from any obligation in respect to their bid. A winning bid by a qualified buyer constitutes a legally binding contract.

Payment Terms - Amount(s) Due Upon Sale

Full Payment:  Full Payment of the total sale value.

Buyer Premium: 5% of total sale price of land and structures. This percentage goes to Public Surplus as a Buyer’s Fee.

State Assurance Fee:  3% of total sale price of land and structures. This percentage is state mandated and goes into the State's General Fund to cover losses in the event that the state has to defend its right to forfeit land.

Recording Fee:  $46.00 or as set by the Stearns County Recorder.

Deed Fee:  $25.00

Deed Tax:  0.0033 times the purchase price or $1.65 minimum, whichever is greater.

Assessments:  Any lands offered for sale may be subject to unpaid assessments against the property. Before purchasing, any prospective buyer should consult the city or township clerk and county, in respect to any unpaid assessments that may exist. Any assessments against the property for public improvements after the property forfeited to the state shall be assessed against the property and paid for at the time of purchase, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, 282.01, Subd. 3. Any municipality or other public authority is authorized to make a reassessment or a new assessment to a parcel in an amount equal to the remaining unpaid original assessment at the time of forfeiture (Minnesota Stat. 429.071, Subd. 4 and 435.23).

Check with the city or township clerk and county for any additional assessments that existed prior to forfeiture, which may be re-assessed by the municipality.

Payment Requirements

DO NOT PAY FROM THE PUBLIC SURPLUS WINNING NOTIFICATION. STEARNS COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER WILL CALCULATE AND E-MAIL THE WILLING BIDDER A NOTICE OF AWARD INCLUDING THE FINAL AMOUNT DUE.

Payment must be made by Cash, Cashier's Check, or Money Order made payable to Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer.

When the auction closes, Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer will send the winning bidder an e-mail to begin processing the transaction. Your prompt response is appreciated to complete the transaction in a timely manner to avoid having your bid considered null and void.

The successful bidder will be required to remit payment in full to Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer within ten (10) days from the date of the Notice of Award. If payment is not received within ten (10) days, Stearns County reserves the right to sell the property to the next highest bidder or repost the auction.

Conflict of Interest

Stearns County officials and employees are prohibited from using privileged government data obtained through their position to further their own private interests.

As per Minnesota Statute 282.016, the direct or indirect purchase of tax forfeited land by individuals employed with the departments of the Stearns County Auditor-Treasurer,  Stearns County Court Administrator of the District Court, Stearns County Assessor, Stearns County Board of Commissioners, or the Stearns County Attorney is prohibited.