Methodology
Scoring Framework
How we evaluate parcels for research prioritization. A transparent look at our 0–100 scoring rubric and what the scores do—and don't—mean.
On This Page
Overview
We score parcels on a 0–100 scale to help prioritize research effort. The score aggregates five categories that represent the key factors affecting a property's viability as a tax sale purchase.
Scores are designed to filter—to help identify which parcels deserve detailed due diligence and which can be deprioritized. They are not recommendations, ratings, or predictions of success.
Score Breakdown
Total: 100 points maximum
01
Access
0–25 points · 25% of total score
The single most important factor. Without legal access, a property has severely limited utility.
Factors considered:
- Legal road access via recorded easement or public road frontage
- Physical road condition (paved, graded, unimproved, seasonal)
- Distance from paved road
- Year-round accessibility vs. seasonal restrictions
- Quality of documentation (clear easements vs. ambiguous access)
Scoring Guide
02
Zoning & Use Viability
0–20 points · 20% of total score
Whether the property can be used for purposes that make economic sense.
Factors considered:
- Permitted uses under current zoning
- Minimum lot size requirements
- Setback and development standards
- Overlay zones (fire, flood, scenic, etc.)
- Compatibility with buyer demand in the area
Scoring Guide
03
Marketability / Buyer Pool
0–20 points · 20% of total score
How easily the property can be resold to a future buyer.
Factors considered:
- Depth of buyer pool for this property type and area
- Historical time-on-market for comparable properties
- Financing availability (cash-only vs. financeable)
- Appeal to multiple buyer segments vs. niche-only
- Proximity to employment, amenities, or attractions
Scoring Guide
04
Area Context & Patterns
0–15 points · 15% of total score
What historical auction data tells us about buyer behavior in this area.
Factors considered:
- Historical sell-through rate for the area
- Average overbid percentages in past auctions
- Number of bidders on comparable properties
- Trend direction (improving, stable, declining)
- Neighboring parcel activity and development
Scoring Guide
05
Price-to-Risk Alignment
0–20 points · 20% of total score
Whether the minimum bid and expected sale price leave appropriate margin for the risks involved.
Factors considered:
- Minimum bid vs. estimated market value
- Costs to resolve known issues (access, title, utilities)
- Holding costs during quiet title and resale period
- Competition level expected (based on area patterns)
- Margin of safety if problems emerge
Scoring Guide
06
What Scores Mean
The score indicates research priority—how much attention a parcel deserves relative to others in the auction inventory.
High priority
Strong fundamentals across most categories. Warrants detailed due diligence.
Medium priority
Reasonable potential with some limitations. Worth investigating if it fits your criteria.
Low priority
Multiple concerns or limitations. May be worth a quick look but don't expect to find value.
Skip
Significant issues identified. Research time is better spent elsewhere.
07
What Scores Don't Mean
Scores are not recommendations. A high score does not mean "buy this property." It means "this property may be worth researching further."
Scores are not guarantees. A high-scoring parcel may still have problems that only emerge during detailed due diligence. A low-scoring parcel might, in rare cases, be a good fit for a specific buyer's needs.
Scores are not investment advice. We are not advising you to bid on any property. We are providing research prioritization tools to help you allocate your own due diligence time.
Scores can be wrong. Our scoring is based on available data and our interpretation of it. Data may be incomplete, outdated, or misinterpreted. Always verify independently.
Scores don't account for your specific situation. Your investment goals, risk tolerance, capital, timeline, and expertise are not factored into our scores. A parcel that scores well generally may not be appropriate for you specifically.
08
Example Scores
The following are hypothetical examples illustrating how scores might be assigned. These are not real properties and are shown only to demonstrate the framework.
Vacant lot in Apple Valley with paved road access, RS zoning, utilities at street
Access
23/25
Zoning
18/20
Market
16/20
Area
13/15
Price
15/20
High score. Research priority: high. Strong fundamentals warrant detailed due diligence.
Desert parcel in Lucerne Valley, dirt road, no utilities, 40-acre minimum zoning
Access
12/25
Zoning
8/20
Market
6/20
Area
5/15
Price
11/20
Low-moderate score. Research priority: low. Multiple limitations suggest careful evaluation if pursued.
Mountain lot in Big Bear area, seasonal access, buildable but steep terrain
Access
14/25
Zoning
15/20
Market
14/20
Area
12/15
Price
12/20
Moderate score. Research priority: medium. Some strengths offset by access concerns. Worth investigating.
These examples are hypothetical. Actual scores for real properties depend on specific data available at the time of analysis.
Remember
Scores are tools for prioritization, not substitutes for due diligence. Every property requires independent research before bidding. Use scores to focus your time, not to make purchasing decisions.
See scores in action
Our Dashboard includes scored parcels for upcoming auctions, along with research notes and historical context.