City-owned properties for sale?

Question

I've been driving for dollars for a while now and come across a few interesting properties. They are city-owned.  I called the CITY OF TUCSON about them, seeing if I can purchase the property.  I was told to call a different dept as the one I called isn't in control of the property. I was informed that the properties are considered public housing, ie section 8.

My questions are a few.

Do cities usually sell off public housing?

If so, is it usually cheaper to purchase these properties from the city? I've noticed on the county assessors office page that property values are much lower than the sale prices.  I noticed this long before covid so I don't think it's the state of the market.

Does the city use their own property values to determine the sale price or do they go by current market values?

I've left a message with the correct dept and I'm awaiting a callback.  Is there anything I need to ask the city about these properties?

Thanks for your advice and help.

Alex Verdugo · Answer

Thank you for your reply.  I'm certainly not going to spend too much time on it.  I was really hoping that the city would use it's own assessments and sell these properties for much less than market value.  I'm just looking for the loop holes that will help me get ahead.  Thanks again.

Alex Verdugo · Answer

Thank you.  I wasn't sure if the city did thing through the mls or their own auction.

Justin Reed · Answer

You can definitely buy from a city or other entity, but knowing Arizona, I doubt they would sell off section 8. I would move on and use your time elsewhere. Sorry, but there are a ton of other properties out there!

Michael Leung · Answer

The City and County owns alot homes with different circumstances.  The one I brought from the county was brought as part of a right away expansion that didnt happen.  The county sold it thru a auction process that was listed in MLS.  The told me thats what they do for all properties that they need to sell.  So to answer your question...any property they sell will be to the highest bidder at the auction.