CONDITIONS OF UPSET SALE
The following conditions shall govern the sale of properties for delinquent taxes scheduled by the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau for September 10, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the Public Hearing Room at the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Payment of all delinquent taxes by or on behalf of an owner on the day of the sale, before receipt of full payment by the successful bidder, will take precedence over the Tax Claim Bureau sale, thus voiding the sale.
1. A $500 cashier’s check, certified check, or money order will be required at the time of each winning bid. This $500 is non-refundable and will be applied towards the sale price as a credit (in the event of default as liquidating damages) with the balance due by 3:00 p.m. on the date of sale.
2. All persons desiring to bid on any property offered for sale shall be required to register every year for the sale with the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau. Registration must be in person at the offices of the Tax Claim Bureau, Lehigh County Government Center, Room 119, 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 610-782-3119. The Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau opens at 8:00 a.m. on the date of the sale. Prospective bidders may register at any time prior to commencement of the sale. Registrants will be required to present current photographic identification at the time of registration, and comply with all other requirements of the Tax Claim Bureau. A PERSON WHO IS NOT REGISTERED WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO BID AT THE SALE.
3. All properties are sold pursuant to the Act of July 7, 1947, Public Law 1368, No. 542, as amended, known as the Real Estate Tax Sale Law.
4. No properties shall be struck down unless a bid equal to the Upset Price amount at the sale is made which shall include 2014 real estate taxes.
5. As soon as the property is struck down, the purchaser shall be liable for the entire purchase price. Payments must be made by 3:00 p.m. on the date of the sale. Payment to the Bureau may be in the form of cashier’s check, certified check or money order with the remitter being the successful bidder payable to the County of Lehigh. NO CASH OR PERSONAL/BUSINESS CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
6. All sales are subject to absolute confirmation by the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County and will be submitted to said Court for confirmation nisi not later than sixty (60) days after the time scheduled for said sale.
7. After the Court of Common Pleas has issued the Order of Absolute Confirmation of the Consolidated Return of the Upset Tax Sale, the Tax Claim Bureau will issue a deed to the successful bidder. The deed will not contain any warranty either general or special and the deed shall be recorded immediately before delivery to the purchaser, at the cost of the purchaser.
8. In addition to the bid price as above stated, the successful bidder shall pay to the Tax Claim Bureau the costs of recording the deed, as established by the Recorder of Deeds in and for Lehigh County, Pennsylvania and the applicable transfer taxes, pursuant to Pennsylvania Department of Revenue rules and regulations. The Bureau shall issue a receipt to the successful bidder for the same.
In addition, the successful bidder shall provide the Bureau with the appropriate owner's address to be certified on the deed for the use of the Bureau, the Recorder of Deeds Office, and the Assessment Office.
9. All properties sold are subject to entry fees imposed by the Clerk of Courts, Civil Division in addition to Recording Costs, Transfer Taxes, etc. aforesaid.
10. All properties are sold subject to existing tenancies.
11. For all properties sold, purchaser takes title subject to all liens, according to law.
12. All properties are sold as described on the dockets of the Lehigh County Tax Claim Bureau. The Bureau makes no representation or warranty as to description, nor will it make survey on a property sold. The rule of Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) applies. (See 72 P.S. § 5931).
13. Under Sections 619a of the Real Estate Tax Sale Law (72 P.S. § 5860.619a), the successful bidder will be required to sign an affidavit certifying that he or she is not delinquent in paying real estate taxes to any of the taxing districts where the property bid on is located, and has no municipal utility bills that are more than one year outstanding.
14. Any property listed for this Upset Sale but not sold because the purchase money is not tendered in the required form, or for any other reason, may be offered for sale at a later date to be decided upon. The Bureau reserves the right to pursue its legal remedies against a successful bidder who fails to pay the purchase price. Failure to comply with the conditions of sale may result in the bidder being banned from future sales.
15. Any refund shall be paid to the registered bidder, unless directed otherwise by court order.
16. The next highest bidder has the opportunity to register his or her bid at the time of a sale, in the event the successful bidder on that property fails to meet the Conditions of the Upset Sale.
17. Bid increments will be at least $500.00.
LEHIGH COUNTY TAX CLAIM BUREAU
Timothy A. Reeves, Director