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   August

18th

Sheriff Sale Procedures and Requirements

Guidelines for the sale

 These sales are the result of lending institution foreclosures and interested individuals are not permitted to enter the pending sale residences to view the interiors of the properties.  The Sheriffs Office cannot act as Realtor and does not have detailed property descriptions available (with the exception of legal description listed in the Notice of Sale).  It is the responsibility of the potential buyer to FULLY research any outstanding taxes, liens and title searches.  It is also the responsibility of the buyer to have the FULL AMOUNT OF PAYMENT (BID) secured prior to placing their bid.  A letter of credit is required from a financial institution and must contain the maximum amount of funds immediately available.  The Sheriffs Office cannot allow additional time after the sale in order to secure a loan for the bid amount.  All bids are due and payable within 24 hours of the Sheriff Sale.  Please allow your financial institution enough time to prepare a letter of credit for you. 

Bid money must be submitted in the form of a certified cashiers check by 1:00pm the day after the sale.  No personal checks will be accepted. 

Individual sale notices are posted on the information board located at the Courthouse and advertised in the Bluffton News Banner legal section.  Sales are published three (3) times prior to the sale. 

In addition to these properties being advertised in the newspaper, listings are posted at various locations in or around the township where the property is located.  

Notifications & Addresses 

The Sheriff does not warrant the accuracy of the street address published on the Notice of Sheriffs Sale.  All Properties are sold by the Sheriffs Office "as is" and no express or implied warranties are to be construed to be given by the Sheriffs Office.  All Bids are final and irrevocable.

Notices are served to the Defendant(s) by personal or copy service and by mail to the Attorney for the Plaintiff.  The persons being served are listed on the Notice of Sale. 

Most individuals residing in these properties have moved by the day of the sale, however, it is the responsibility of the purchasing party to file proper eviction papers with the Courts if the residents have not vacated the property.

The Treasurers office can advise you if there are any taxes owed currently on the property.  These taxes may include real estate taxes, sewer liens, weed liens, ditch assessments and unsafe building liens. 

The Assessors office can give you assessment information concerning lot size, square footage, room sizes, building materials, past ownership, yearly taxes due and etc.

The Recorders office may also have record of any other liens against the property.  A Realtor may be able to advise if the property has been listed before and can give you a profile of the home if it has been listed for sale in the past. 

The searches are the responsibility of the interested purchasing parties.  All buyers should be aware that any Federal or State liens become the responsibility of the new purchaser.  While the Sheriffs sale and issuance of the Sheriffs deed to the purchaser will eliminate or clear claims of lien holders specifically named in the complaint against the original mortgage holder, the IRS has 120 days from the date of the sale to redeem the property if they hold interest in it. 

Sale Day and Afterwards

 All properties must be paid in full by 1:00pm the day after the sale. 

 The Sheriffs Office does not act as a Realtor and cannot provide keys for the purchased properties.  It is the responsibility of the purchaser to make the necessary entry provisions. 

 You can expect to receive a Sheriffs Deed within a few weeks of the sale.  It is your responsibility to file this paperwork with the appropriate agencies and office.  If you have questions concerning these legal documents, please consult an attorney for clarifications and filing procedures.

Further questions may be directed to: Elaine Stoppenhagen (260) 824-3426