Properties Currently Listed for Sheriff Sale

JANUARY 23, 2023

In conjunction with the Luzerne County GIS / Mapping Department, the Luzerne County Sheriff is happy to announce the release of the new Sheriff Sale Parcel Viewer. This application can be used to pinpoint the exact property locations and provide the user with an idea of the property lines of any particular property listed for sale, along with other important information. We have included a brief tutorial to assist with navigating the application.

The County of Luzerne does not assume any liability from the use of any of this information. All information is provided for assessment and reference purposes only, not for surveying or engineering purposes. Satellite imagery may be offset from drawn parcel geometry. Always be sure to verify the property you plan to bid on, for more information on the specifics of a property contact the Assessment Office (570-825-1540), or GIS/Mapping Dept. (570-825-1550)

Click below to start the Tutorial Video.

Click on the Picture below to access the Sheriff Sale Parcel Viewer.

SALE SCHEDULE

Mortgage Foreclosure Filing Requirements for Attorneys

Sheriff Sale Overview

Properties sold for mortgage and judgment defaults are processed through the Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s sales are held on the first (1st) Friday of every other month at 10:30 a.m. in the Luzerne County Courthouse (unless otherwise changed).

It is recommended that interested parties consult with an attorney prior to participating in a Sheriff’s Sale. Members of the Luzerne County Sheriff’s Department are unable to offer any legal advice.

Notice of Sales

• A listing of the properties being sold can be obtained on the Sheriff’s Office website.
• Sales are advertised in the Citizen’s Voice and Luzerne Legal Register on three Friday’s before the sale date.
• Sheriff Handbills are posted on the property and in the Sheriff’s Office at least 30 days prior to the sale date.
• A property may be removed from the list or the sale adjourned by the executing creditor any point up to the actual time of the sale.

Access to Properties for Sale

• 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.

Bidding

• You will be bidding against the moving creditor (In most cases the Bank)
• Bidding starts at "Real Estate Taxes and Costs" (The total amount of taxes and fees owed in addition to the Sheriff’s cost of putting on the sale)
• The bank has a predetermined amount that they will bid to. This is called the "upset price." Only the bank or their representative knows what this amount will be. It may be more or less than the judgment amount owed to the bank. The upset price may or may not be announced, it is not required to be announced.
• The property is sold to the highest bidder.
• If you are the successful bidder, 10% of the purchase price must be paid to the sheriff by noon on the day of the sale. Failure to pay the deposit will result in the property being resold immediately. The sheriff may institute legal action against the defaulting bidder if the property is resold for a lesser amount.
• The remaining balance must be paid within ten days from the sale. Failure to pay the balance will result in you losing your deposit, and the property being resold at the next regularly scheduled Sheriff Sale.
• Payments must be in the form of money order, attorney’s or certified bank check. Special arrangements can be made for electronic fund transfers when large sums of money are involved. There are no provisions for personal checks or credit/debit cards.

Completion of Sale

• Exceptions to a sale of property can be filed within ten (10) days after the sale.
• After all money is paid and if no exceptions are filed, the sheriff’s deed may be recorded in the name of the purchaser.
• Deed processing may take up to 60 days.
• A schedule of distribution of the proceeds from the bid sale will be prepared within thirty (30) days.
• Money collected by the sheriff is paid in priority order to creditors unless objections to the schedule are timely filed.

The Sheriff’s Office does not conduct the Luzerne County Tax Sales; therefore we have no information on tax sales. Questions about tax sales be answered by Northeast Revenue (at 570-825-1512) or by following this link: http://luzernecountytaxclaim.com/

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.