Explanation of Real Estate Sales in Lehigh County

Sheriff's Sales - Most properties sold for mortgage and judgment defaults are processed through the Sheriff's Office. These sales are usually held on the fourth Friday of each month at 10:00 am in the Lehigh County Courthouse. A listing of the Properties being sold each month is available here for viewing and printing. Sales are advertised in the Morning Call and the Lehigh Law Journal on three (3) consecutive Fridays before the sale date. Sheriff’s Handbills are posted on the property at least thirty (30) days prior to the sale date. Any time up to the actual time of the sale, a property may be removed from the list or the sale adjourned for up to one hundred-thirty (130) days by the executing creditor.

The Sheriff’s Office does not have access to properties listed for sale. Inquiries about properties should be directed to the attorney whose name appears below the property description. The Sheriff’s Office does not search records for debts or liens prior to the sale. Properties are sold “AS IS” and the Sheriff is not responsible for a clear title. Professional assistance in searching properties may be obtained through attorneys or title searchers to determine possible liens for which the purchaser may be responsible.

COST SHEETS are available on the web (www.lehighcounty.org) by clicking on the blue numbers after the word costs. This enables you to just print that particular sale. The “COST SHEET” sets forth an itemized list of the Sheriff’s costs and fees, as well as the amount of the debt owed to the executing creditor. At the Sheriff’s Sale, the property is sold to the highest bidder. The Purchaser must immediately deposit ten percent (10%) of the bid in the form of certified or cashiers’ check payable to the Sheriff. In addition to the bid price, the Purchaser must pay poundage and all transfer taxes. The balance of the bid is due within thirty (30) days of the sale date, or the deposit paid is subject to forfeiture.

After all monies are paid, and if no objections to a sale of property are filed after the sale, the sheriff’s deed may be recorded in the name of the Purchaser. A schedule of distribution of the proceeds of a bid sale is prepared within thirty (30) days of the sale and the monies collected by the sheriff are paid in priority order to creditors unless exceptions to the schedule are filed timely.

Tax Sales - Properties sold for delinquent taxes are processed through the Tax Claim Bureau. Upset and Judicial Sales are held once a year. At the Upset Sale, properties may be sold subject to mortgages and other liens. At the Judicial Sale, properties are sold free and clear of all liens. The Tax Claim Bureau Office is located in the Lehigh County Government Center , 17 South Seventh Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Phone 610 782-3119.

DISCLAIMER:
Information that appears on this website is provided as a courtesy to the public. Changes may occur before this information is updated and you are advised not to rely upon the information posted without verifying its accuracy with other court dockets or by contacting the Sheriff’s Office or consulting an attorney.

All Check's regarding Real Estate coming into this office shall be made out to:
 "SHERIFF OF LEHIGH COUNTY".