Real property taxes; delinquent tax sales; purchase by county; assignment of certificate of purchase; interest; notice to land bank

(1) At all sales provided by law, the county board may purchase for the use and benefit, and in the name of the county, any real estate advertised and offered for sale when the same remains unsold for want of bidders. The county treasurer shall issue certificates of purchase of the real estate so sold in the name of the county. Such certificates shall remain in the custody of the county treasurer, who shall at any time assign the same to any person wishing to buy for the amount expressed on the face of the certificate and interest thereon at the rate specified in section 45-104.01 , as such rate may from time to time be adjusted by the Legislature, from the date thereof. Such assignment shall be attested by the endorsement of the county clerk of his or her name on the back of such certificate, and such endorsement shall be made when requested by the county treasurer.

(2) If real estate is purchased by a county under this section and such real estate lies within a municipality that has created a land bank pursuant to the Nebraska Municipal Land Bank Act, the county treasurer of such county shall notify the land bank of such purchase as soon as practical and shall give the land bank the first opportunity to acquire the certificate of purchase for such real estate from the county.