Properties sold by the Sheriff are mortgage and judgment defaults, not tax delinquent properties. The Lackawanna County Tax Claim office conducts tax sales. The Sheriff sales are held at 10:00 A.M. in the Lackawanna County Courthouse, 200 North Washington Avenue, Scranton, PA.

SHERIFF SALE SCHEDULE

EXPLANATION FOR REAL ESTATE SALES

1. Sales are conducted by open bidding and you will be bidding against the bank.
2. The bank has a predetermined amount that they will bid to. This is called the “upset price”. Only the bank, on day of sale, knows what this amount will be. It may be more or less than the judgment amount.
3. A deposit of 10% of the bid price is to be paid in cash, cashier's check or certified check immediately to the sheriff at the time of the bid. In the event that 10% is not paid immediately, the property will be sold again at the end of the current sale. Said deposit will be forfeited in the event the balance of the bid price is not paid by 2 o'clock on the afternoon of said date. Full compliance of the total amount is due by two o'clock on the afternoon of the said date.
4. The debtors own the properties until they are sold on the day of the sale.
5. The Sheriff does not have physical access to the properties listed for sale.
6. Properties are sold “AS IS” and the Sheriff is not responsible for a clear title.
7. The Sheriff’s office does not search records for debts or liens prior to the sale.
8. Professional assistance in searching properties may be obtained through attorneys or title searchers to determine possible liens for which the buyer may be responsible.
9. Cost sheets containing an itemized list of the Sheriff’s fees, taxes and the amount of the debt owed to the executing creditor are available at the office approximately one week prior to the sale.
   
10. A schedule of distribution of the proceeds from the sale will be prepared within thirty days.
11. Money collected by the Sheriff is paid in priority order to creditors unless objections to the schedule are timely filed.
12. If you have additional questions concerning the purchase of property at Sheriff’s sale or the filing of any legal pleadings, please contact your attorney.