Paying the delinquent taxes and interest stops the foreclosure at any stage before the redemption period ends. Depending on your situation, the money can come from savings or partial payments (before judgment), Oregon's senior and disabled property tax deferral program, a refinance or home-equity loan, help from family, or a sale of the property. The earlier you act, the more of these options are still available.
Option 1: Pay it down directly
Before the foreclosure judgment, Jackson County accepts partial payments, so even steady smaller payments reduce the balance and the interest. After the judgment, the full amount is generally required at once. If you can realistically catch up, this is usually the least expensive path.
Option 2: Oregon's senior and disabled property tax deferral
If you're 62 or older, or have a qualifying disability, the state may pay your property taxes to the county and record a lien on the home that's repaid later — typically when the home is sold or the owner passes away. Deferred taxes accrue 6% simple interest, far below the 16% on delinquent taxes. For 2026, the household income limit is $70,000, and there are home-value and other requirements. Applications are generally filed January 1 through April 15, with late filing allowed through December 1 for a fee. Approved applicants with prior delinquent taxes may be able to delay foreclosure. The Oregon Department of Revenue runs the program — check their site or your county assessor for current rules.
Option 3: Refinance or borrow against the house
If you have steady income and decent credit, a cash-out refinance or home-equity loan can pay off the delinquency and replace 16% interest with a lower rate. The catch: lenders look closely at properties with delinquent taxes, and this path takes time, so it works best well before the redemption period.
Option 4: Family help or a co-owner buyout
Sometimes a relative or co-owner is willing to pay the taxes in exchange for a larger share of the property or a repayment agreement. Put any arrangement like this in writing, and have it recorded properly if it involves ownership.
Option 5: Sell the house
If keeping the home isn't realistic — the payments aren't sustainable, it's a rental or inherited property you don't want, or it needs more repairs than you can take on — selling pays the county at closing and turns the rest of your equity into cash. You can list with an agent or sell to a cash buyer like us; we explain the tradeoffs on our cash offer vs. listing page.
The option to avoid: waiting it out
Doing nothing is the one path that reliably costs the most. Interest keeps compounding the problem, options narrow at the judgment, and once the property is deeded to the county, any money you get back comes through a slower, smaller surplus process.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice, and Rogue Valley Cash Buyers is not affiliated with any county or government agency. Deadlines and amounts depend on your specific account — the Jackson County (or Josephine County) Tax Collector can confirm exactly what you owe and where your property is in the process, and an Oregon attorney can advise on your situation.