Buying Foreclosed Properties at the Sheriff’s Sale

A sheriff’s sale (or auction) comes at the end of the foreclosure process when the defaulting homeowner can’t repair his financial problems with the lender. About half of our states use the “judicial” process when foreclosing mortgages.

• This process starts with the mortgage document, a security device used to pledge the property as security against the loan.
• When a default occurs, the lender will attempt to end the homeowner’s rights of possession to the property. The lender must file suit and prove in court that it has the right to sell the property to recover its loss by virtue of the default and as stipulated in the signed mortgage agreement.
• If awarded a final judgment from the court, the lender will proceed with the foreclosure and the property will be scheduled for sale.

Foreclosure properties are sold at public auction under the direction of the court in the county where the property is located. The successful bidder becomes the new owner of the property. About 80 percent of the time the successful bidder is the lender, the original mortgage holder. Attorneys will be there to bid on the property for the lender. There will also be investors, onlookers and curiosity seekers observing the proceedings. Occasionally, a lienholder will appear trying to salvage what he can from his claim. Rare but certainly possible, the homeowner may show up to bid on his own property.

Here’s what you absolutely need to know about buying foreclosed homes during a sheriff’s sale.

Advantages

The biggest advantage to buying properties at the Sheriff’s sale is the high profit potential. If there is a large difference between the market value of a foreclosed property and its final judgment amount at auction, you can really win big. Typically, the largest cash rewards come from the proper application of this investing method.

Sales are usually advertised 4 to 6 weeks in advance. In some states, this information may be available 6 to 8 months or more before the sale. This gives you ample time to research the property, the condition of the loan and the condition of the homeowner. Why the homeowner? If you can work out a satisfactory arrangement with him, you can save yourself the trouble at the auction. If you meet with the owner and can’t work out a deal, you should at least take careful note of the property’s condition. This gives you a competitive advantage over other auction bidders.

You can go to the courthouse and observe the process as often as you like before going to bid on your foreclosed property. It’s certainly a good idea to familiarize yourself with the auction process. There usually isn’t much competition for foreclosed properties sold at auction. Sometimes no one shows up to bid on a property, perhaps due to transportation problems or inclement weather. This creates fantastic opportunities for the diligent investor.

Disadvantages

Buying foreclosed properties at the courthouse can be very dangerous for those who do not do their research properly.

• The large cash outlay required to buy foreclosed property at the Sheriff’s Sale is the biggest deterrent for most buyers. Certified checks and sometimes cash will be required to bid on properties.
• You may have to pay off the sale amount within 30 to 90 days. In some states it’s a matter of only days. In Palm Beach County, Florida, the successful bidder must pay for the property in full by 3:00 PM on the day of the purchase. That’s just 6 hours from the time the bidding starts to the time you must pay for the property in full or risk losing your cash deposit.
• You may not be able to inspect a foreclosed property before bidding on it. In that case, there is little chance you will be able to assess the property damage and replacement costs. This hinders your ability to determine the true market value, your maximum bid amount and your profit.
• If you are the successful bidder, you may have to evict tenants currently residing in your new property. This could take several months. This also interferes with your plans to repair and quickly sell the property for a profit. This delay increases your carrying costs and erodes your profits.
• There may be land use problems with a property such as zoning or environmental issues like petroleum contamination or toxic waste. A clue to avoiding a problem property is when the lender’s representative fails to appear or bid on the property. If the lender doesn’t want it, you don’t want it either.
• Failure to research a property correctly leads many to overbid. Too often properties are purchased for much more than their value. This accompanied by “auction fever,” the tendency to get caught up in the heat of the moment and overbid, results in large over-payments and even larger losses.
• The most important concern perhaps is the possibility of other liens or judgments. As the successful bidder, you replace the homeowner’s position in the property. Any problems clouding the title are your problems now.
  • This includes other mortgages, mechanics’ liens and taxes.
  • At the sale, the first lienholder can nullify all other liens if he’s the successful bidder.
  • Junior lienholders must buy out senior lien positions and be high bidder to gain possession of the foreclosed property with clear title.
  • The first mortgage holder is not the only one foreclosing properties. If a third lienholder forecloses, the process will not wipe out the first and second lienholders.
  • Buying this property means you buy these liens as well. Typically, first mortgages are the largest liens on the property.

Researching Foreclosed Properties

Follow these steps to ensure you research the properties thoroughly:

1. Perform a title search. The only way to be sure that this is a first mortgage holder foreclosing is through a full title search. The cost of the search is nothing compared to the potential loss from not investigating the condition of the title.

2. Locate properties. Find foreclosure properties that are going to sales or auctions by looking for “Foreclosure Sales” or “Sheriff’s Sales” or “Auctions” in your newspaper, real estate magazine or by contacting the county clerk’s office.

3. Evaluate the properties. Evaluate the foreclosed properties and determine their profit potentials. Do this by determining the market value using comps, appraisals and brokers’ opinion of price. Subtract the default amount from the market value. If there is a significant difference, you may have a winner.

4. Inspect the property. If you can, pay an inspector to inspect the foreclosed property and assess any damages or repairs you must make before re-selling the property. Deduct those expenses from the profit you calculated earlier. If you cannot inspect a property, leave yourself a little extra room and some extra cash.

5. Calculate your profit potential. Start with the price you can sell the property for in good condition. Subtract any repair expenses. From this number, subtract the costs you will incur while holding the property (loan payments, taxes, insurance). Subtract from this the closing costs you will incur when you sell the property, including a broker’s commission if you intend to sell your property through a broker. Locate any other liens or judgments and subtract those amounts from your previous figure. Paying off the liens at a discount is one way to increase your profits, assuming you are the successful bidder.

Your subtotal so far, is your expected sale price of the property, less repair expenses, holding costs, liens and closing costs. This is the “net to you” after you sell. Deduct the default or final judgment amount from your last subtotal. This is your gross profit potential, hypothetically the most you can make assuming all goes well.

6. Determine your maximum bid amount. The lowest you can bid is the final judgment amount. The highest you bid is the “net to you” amount. Any amount over that breakeven point results in a loss. Determine the minimum profit you want to make. Subtract your desired profit amount from the “net to you” figure. That’s your maximum bid amount.

Buying Foreclosures at the Auction

1. Phone ahead. Prepare for the auction by phoning ahead. Make certain that the sale hasn’t been postponed. Determine the requirements for purchasing properties. How much deposit is needed? When is the balance due? What type of payment is required?

2. Attend the auction. Arrive early. Properties are sold very quickly, sometimes within minutes. Register yourself as a bidder if necessary.

3. Pay attention. Listen carefully for your target property to be announced. Observe the bidders. Know your competition. Do not announce your intentions to anyone there. Never bid more than your pre-determined amount.

4. Record your new deed and obtain title insurance. The successful bidder will receive a deed, the type of which depends on who is conducting the sale and state law. Record your new deed and obtain title insurance as soon as possible.

In short: 

Experts agree: If you are unsure about the property, don’t do the deal.

15 Comments

1. latonya stepheney, May 12:

   Im interested in buying a home.

2. Shirley, July 11:

   If a foreclosed property has a judgement against the owner for nonpayment of rent to previous tenants, is the new property owner responsible for that payment?

3. Vickie Daniels, August 17:

   I bought a piece of property at a sheriffs sale. How do I evict the tenants?

4. Amanda Hendricks, July 4:

   Please reply asap we r so lost on what to do and we have kids! We have been renting our home for the last 7 months the and was just notified yesterday (July 3,2017) that the property is going to be auctioned or for sale to the public on July 19th! What do we do and what are our rights as tenants? Who do we call to find out how to go about just buying the property so we don’t have to move?

5. valerie, July 9:

   This information is very helpful!
   How do you find out if there are any liens against the property?

6. Cindy Rodriguez, January 11:

   I have the same problem as a woman above have lived in my house or 7 years just found out that it’s going to Sheriff sale we are renters and want to see what my rights are as a renter for New Jersey Ocean County who do I need to call for help excetera do I need to involve a lawyer? Please get back to me

7. Melanie, February 9:

   Is it possible to find out purchaser and amount paid?

8. robert grom, March 5:

   How do I know if there are any liens on the property I’m buying from sheriffs sale?

9. Mellisa Ballentine, June 22:

   Just bought a condo at the sheriffs sale and recorded at the register of deeds, whats next? Some are saying i must wait for the 6 month redemption period before getting the keys !!!!
   The previous owner died and no one claimed the unit prior to the sale.

10. Jennifer, September 19:

    If you want to know if there are any liens or judgements against the property you will need to go to your local court house and go to the recorder of deed and to the prothonatary.

11. Katie, September 26:

    My parents passed and their home went into foreclosure. Time is up after 6 months next week and a realtor paid off the sheriff sale today. What does a “sheriff pay off” mean? The house is in the banks name. It was in my daughter’s name until recently.

12. William Christopher Lewis, October 3:

    Shirley, in what situation would the homeowner be paying the tenants rents to a previous tenant? Could you be referring to the title holders as the home owners and the loan holders as the previous tenants in some type of reverse mortgage or seller financing situation?

13. William Christopher Lewis, October 3:

    Vickie,

    Your best bet for eviction of the tenants is the higher a lawyer! Hopefully, you’re aware of this at this point, but if not, I’ve read the following recommendation from Brandon Turner of Bigger Pockets Podcast (I think that’s where I read it): Go to the local courthouse, inquire what lawyer complete’s the most evictions, and obtain that person’s contact information.

14. William Shakespeare, March 21:

    Vickie (re: Evictions): Don’t hesitate to google your municipal and county housing code and courts, since many have self-help pamphlets and hotlines–even the proper forms you can download and print out. I know here, at least, a 3-day notice must be given. If tenants remain, the landlord must go to court to file a complaint (figure 2-3 weeks to schedule a hearing date) and receive an eviction ruling in their favor. Then the court will assign a deadline for the move-out. This process is usually different for section 8 tenants, and it is usually illegal for a landlord to change locks or shut off utilities to try to force tenants out.

15. Nancy Rodman, March 10:

    Liens against the property. Go to any title company and have them research the property. Any liens, back taxes will show up during the searh.