Section 73-7-31 - Sale of lands for delinquent assessments; transfer of title; redemption; commissioners as purchasers; disposition of receipts. - New Mexico Statutes

73-7-31. [Sale of lands for delinquent assessments; transfer of title; redemption; commissioners as purchasers; disposition of receipts.]

The said special master shall sell the lands as to which the judgment entered has not been paid, at the courthouse of the county where the lands or some part thereof are situated, after having first advertised said sale weekly for four consecutive weeks in some newspaper published in such county, and if such lands are situated in more than one county such notice of sale shall be published in a newspaper in each of such counties. If all such land is not sold on the day advertised, such sale shall continue from day to day until completed. Sale shall be made at public outcry to the highest and best bidder for cash. The special master shall make a report of such sale or sales to the court and upon approval thereof, title to such lands so sold shall thereupon become vested in the purchaser, subject, however, to all other tax liens and the lien for all subsequent installments of drainage assessments and interest thereon, and the said purchaser shall thereupon become the owner in fee simple of the lands, and the special master shall execute and deliver deeds which shall have the same force and effect as deeds executed under judgments and decrees in civil actions, but the owner of such land, or anyone interested in the title thereto may redeem from such sale by paying to the purchaser or his assignee the purchase price with interest thereon at the rate of twelve (12%) percent per annum, together with all moneys subsequently paid for taxes and assessments thereon, at any time within nine months from the date of sale. The several tracts or parcels of land to be sold shall be offered separately. At such sale the commissioners of the drainage district in which the lands are situated may bid and become purchasers the same as any other purchaser and shall not be required to pay the purchase price in cash, but shall take title to such lands in the name of the drainage district and may thereafter sell or lease the said lands and all proceeds from the sale or leasing thereof shall be disposed of as herein provided. The amount received upon any bid shall be applied to the amount of the judgment against said tract or parcel of land bid upon; if the amount received is less than such judgment, nevertheless such judgment shall be deemed satisfied by such sale, but if the amount received is more than the judgment any surplus shall be applied first to the payment of any general state or county taxes outstanding and unpaid and then if a balance remains, as the court shall direct. All moneys received by the special master in payments on the judgment or for purchase of lands at the foreclosure sale over and above costs, attorney's fees and expenses of sale shall be paid to the treasurer of the district for credit pro rata to the respective funds entitled thereto.