Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau

Tax Claim Bureau Sales


 MERCER COUNTY TAX CLAIM BUREAU SALES

UPSET TAX SALE

At least one year’s taxes, or a portion thereof, must be delinquent for a period of almost two years.  A sale will be held on September 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the Penn State Extension County Office, 463 N Perry Highway, Mercer, Pennsylvania  and again on October 22, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the Assembly Room located on the ground floor of the Mercer County Courthouse for unpaid 2022 taxes.  Properties are sold subject to any liens and/or encumbrances that are against the property, with the exception of those liens (state or federal tax liens, municipal liens, and corporate liens) which are included in the Upset Sale Price.  This is a BUYER BEWARE sale.  We strongly recommend that any potential purchasers have a title search completed prior to bidding on any property.  The list for the Upset Sale is published at least thirty days prior to the sale in the Mercer County Law Journal, The Herald and the Record Argus, the newspapers of general circulation published within Mercer County.  Any property having 2022 and prior years’ taxes paid in full prior to the time of sale will not be offered for sale at the 2024 Upset Tax Sale.

The Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau NEVER guarantees title to any property sold by us.

 

JUDICIAL SALE

A Judicial Sale is a “free and clear” sale.  The advantage of this type of sale to a purchaser is that the properties are sold free and clear of liens and encumbrances, to the best of our ability.     A Judicial Sale requires a great deal of work, including but not limited to, a title search, a petition filed with the Court of Common Pleas, and Sheriff’s service on all owners and lien holders.  Judicial Sales are not held on any set schedule but once scheduled for sale, properties are listed on the Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau website or a list can be obtained in the Mercer County Tax Claim Office.   Any property exposed to, but not sold, at an Upset Tax Sale is available for purchase through a Judicial Sale.  A request for a Judicial Sale must be submitted to the Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau in writing.   Said request must guarantee a minimum bid of $1,250.00 and must contain the address of the property, a Map/Parcel Number and/or Control Number.  Request forms are available on the website.

The Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau NEVER guarantees title to any property sold by us, at any type of sale.

 

REPOSITORY SALE

Any property offered for Judicial Sale that does not sell is placed in
“Repository” and may be sold at any time with an approved bid without the requirement of court approval, publication or any further notice to the property owner.

This property is sold free and clear of all tax and municipal claims and any liens listed in the previous Judicial Sale Petition.    Any liens that are unreported, missed or liens recorded after the abstractor’s search date listed in the Judicial Sale Petition are not removed by this sale.

All Repository properties will be sold for no less than the costs expended to date by the Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau.

The Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau is required to notify the County, Municipality and School District of the bid amount received.    The bidder will be notified in writing of the decision of the taxing bodies.  

In a Repository Sale, the purchase price shall be deemed the new fair market value for tax assessment purposes as stated in Section 628 of the Real Estate Tax Sale Law and can only be changed if there is a county-wide reassessment or if the parcel is sold or improved.   

Bid forms are available on the website.

The Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau NEVER guarantees title to any property sold by us, at any type of sale. 

Please send all inquiries to:         Cathy S. Herriott, Director

                                                            Mercer County Tax Claim Bureau

                                                            125 S. Diamond Street, Suite 3

                                                            Mercer, PA  16137