If you have been eyeing a bargain on San Diego County real estate, the clock is ticking. More than 600 tax-defaulted properties will be auctioned online starting March 13, and the deadline to register is today, Thursday, March 5, at 5 p.m.

The county’s annual tax sale includes a wide variety of properties — single-family homes, commercial buildings, vacant lots, and hundreds of timeshares — located across the region, potentially including East County neighborhoods.

"It’s a great opportunity for people who do their homework, as we say, buyer beware," said San Diego County Treasurer Larry Cohen. "These are properties that have been in default for five years."

Under California state law, properties become eligible for auction after five years of unpaid property taxes. The county conducts the annual public sale to recover the owed taxes and costs. Prospective bidders must register in advance and submit a $1,000 refundable deposit before the 5 p.m. deadline today to participate when bidding opens March 13 through March 18.

County officials caution that all sales are final, and properties are sold "as is" — buyers assume responsibility for whatever condition they find. Cohen advises researching properties thoroughly before placing a bid, including checking for liens, environmental issues, or structural concerns. Full registration and auction details are available at the San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector website at sdttc.com.