| How do I learn which properties are to be
sold? How are properties identified before and during the sale? When and where does the Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure take place? What should I do before I bid? What is a delinquent tax sale? What is a Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure Sale? What does it mean if a property is "Stayed?" What does it mean if a property is "Postponed"? What does the term "Subject to Mortgage" mean? What does the term "Improvements" mean? What are acceptable forms of payment at the Sheriff's Sale? Do I have to register for the Sheriff's Sale? If I am the successful bidder on a mortgage foreclosure property do I have to pay the judgment amount in addition to my bid? |
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| How do I learn which properties are to be sold? | |
| Mortgage Foreclosure and Tax Lien properties are listed on this website. There are links on the home page next to the photo of the house. All properties scheduled for Sheriff's Sale are also advertised each month in the Legal Intelligencer, and on a rotating basis in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, the Philadelphia Tribune. | |
| How are properties identified before and during the sale? | |
| Each property has an identification number (writ number) which is listed in the newspaper before the property address. The sale is conducted by an auctioneer who calls out each property by writ number only. | |
| When and where does the Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure take place? | |
| The Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure Sheriff's Sale is usually conducted the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m. The First District Plaza, 3801 Market Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA. | |
| What should I do before I bid? | |
| 1. Take a closer look. It is strongly recommended that persons planning to bid at a Sheriff Sale make a site visit to the property prior to the sale. Many persons have bid on vacant lots thinking that they were bidding on a property containing residential structures. The city is not authorized to permit or arrange for entry into properties listed for Sheriff Sale. However, potential bidders should examine the building or buildings situated on the property. Talking to neighbors in an attempt to evaluate the condition of the property is also helpful. Finally, it is worthwhile to obtain from the city's department of License and Inspections (L&I) a list of any uncorrected code violations which L&I may have identified for the property. Information is available at L&I's Permit issuance unit, located in the concourse level of the municipal services building. A "Notice of Violation" will be provided free of charge, as will information on existing zoning, electrical or building code violations. |
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| 2. Consider the rehab costs While there are some "bargains" to be had at Sheriff Sale, potential bidders, especially those seeking residential properties, are cautioned that property conditions may vary widely. It is also important to know that City loan and grant programs for income-eligible owner occupants are available for Sheriff Sale properties only after the Right of Redemption period has expired. the City has set this policy to ensure that its limited resources for housing improvements do not ultimately benefit original owners who reclaim their properties. |
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| What is a delinquent tax sale? | |
| The Delinquent Tax Sheriff Sale is a process by which the City of Philadelphia recaptures unpaid municipal debt levied on properties located in the City. These debts can include outstanding water and sewer bills, School District of Philadelphia and City property taxes. While the chief purpose of Delinquent Tax Sheriff Sales is to recoup unpaid debts for the City, it serves as a mechanism by which a person can bid on, and become the owner of, a tax delinquent property after the original owner fails to make arrangements to pay this debt. Therefore, it is one method of acquiring lots, houses or commercial and industrial buildings. | |
| What is a Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure Sale? | |
| The Judicial Mortgage Foreclosure Sheriff's Sale is the process whereby mortgage companies and other financial institutions seek to recover debts owned them, particularly in instances where a homeowner defaults on his mortgage payment. While the chief purpose of the Foreclosure Sale is to recoup debts for lending institutions, it also provides an opportunity for individuals to bid on real estate, and become homeowners. | |
| What does it mean if a property is "Stayed?" | |
| Stayed means that the court order requiring the property to be sold at auction, has been cancelled. This can happen for a number of reasons including the owner paying off the unpaid balance or the owner reaching a payment agreement with the lender. | |
| What does it mean if a property is "Postponed?" | |
| This means that the sale of the property has been postponed until a future sale. The auctioneer must announce the month that the property has been postponed to. | |
| What does the term "Subject to Mortgage" mean? | |
| The property is NOT being sold as a result of the first mortgage, but as a result of delinquency on a subsequent mortgage. Successful bidders will not only be responsible for their bid price, but for all mortgages preceding the mortgage of the lender who foreclosed on the property. | |
| What does the term "Improvements" mean? | |
| An L&I Permit was issued for some type of unspecified work and/or improvements to be performed on the property. | |
| What are acceptable forms of payment at the Sheriff's Sale? | |
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Acceptable forms of payment at the Sheriff's Sale are cash, money order, and/or certified bank checks. No credit cards, debit cards, personal or business checks are accepted at the sale. |
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| Do I have to register for the Sheriff's Sale? | |
| No. You do not have to register to purchase a property at the Philadelphia Sheriff's Sale. | |
| If I am the successful bidder on a mortgage foreclosure property do I have to pay the judgment amount in addition to my bid? | |
| No you are only responsible for your winning bid. | |