More than 200 properties changed hands at the Cherokee County delinquent tax sale held Monday.

A total of 209 properties generated bids totalling nearly $1 million at the Cherokee County delinquent tax sale Monday, said county delinquent tax collector Roy Price. Nearly $275,000 of that total included the back taxes owed on the properties.

Two out-of-state corporations were the most successful bidders. A Florida corporation purchased 18 properties for $411,200, while a New Jersey corporation paid $214,500 for 14 properties.

But the highest bidder doesn't necessarily end up with the deeds. Property owners have a year to reclaim their land by paying the delinquent taxes and interest.

A year ago, 173 properties were sold at the delinquent tax sale and about half of those were reclaimed.

Properties that aren't reclaimed or sold are forwarded to the Forfeited Land Commission.

"A person can come in and ask if there are any properties at the Forfeited Land Commission and the county can assign a bid to them," Price said.