LAPLACE — Property in St. John the Baptist Parish is available for purchase, with title insurance included, for $5,000.

That’s what officials from tax-distressed real estate auctioneer CivicSource say, and they want to share that message during a free educational seminar at 6:30 p.m. Thursday the LaPlace library on U.S. 51.

The St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office is partnering with CivicSource to host the seminar.

Those attending will learn how to purchase tax adjudicated real estate with title insurance at an average starting price of $5,000, CivicSource officials said.

The properties are those that previously went unsold in a tax sale, and as a result, became adjudicated to the parish and are available through an online auction process.

St. John Parish is collaborating with CivicSource to auction the tax delinquent properties. Successful sales place the properties back on the tax rolls, proponents said, returning them to commerce and generating significant, recurring annual tax revenues to the parish.

Since partnering with St. John the Baptist Parish, CivicSource officials said 16 properties have been sold in the parish and 35 properties are available at this time. 

District Attorney Bridget Dinvaut said anyone interested in owning property in St. John Parish is encouraged to browse the online property inventory.

A complete listing of adjudicated properties is available at CivicSource.com, where investors nominate properties for auction through an $850 deposit.

The online auction replaces the traditional adjudication sale held at the Courthouse, where participants were required to be present. By hosting the sale online, bidders who would not normally be able to attend the auction in person are still able to participate from their homes or places of business.

Those who would like to attend the investment seminar can email an RSVP to RSVP@CivicSource.com.