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SHERIFF’S SALES PROCEDURES
Sheriff’s Sales are Mortgage Foreclosures
where a judgment has been entered through the court. There is no
redemption period on Sheriff’s Sales.
Tax
Sales
are when property owners do not pay their property taxes and are
sold through the Porter County Auditor’s Office. There is a
one year redemption period on Tax Sales. Sheriff’s Sales and Tax
Sales are completely different. All Sheriff’s Sales are conducted
according to (but not limited to) IC 32-29-7 through 32-29-7-14.
BIDDING
Bidding is open and progressive. The Plaintiff always opens the bid
and may start lower than the judgment amount.
Financial institutions will NOT give you information
regarding foreclosures. On the day of sale, you must speak with the
Sheriff’s Deputy if you intend to bid. You will need to produce
cash or certified check in the amount of the 1st judgment,
or you will not be able to bid.
TERMS
Bids must be in the form of CASH OR CERTIFIED CHECK. We
do not accept letters of credit from a financial institution.
There are no exceptions. All checks are to be payable to the PORTER
COUNTY SHERIFF. If you are the successful bidder and your final bid
is less than your certified check, then you have until 4:00 the same
day to produce the balance. If you are the successful bidder and
your check is greater than your successful bid, the Sheriff
will issue you a check for the surplus after funds are deposited.
NOTICES OF SALE
Notices of Sale are available on our website. They are also published at least 30 days prior to
sale in the Chesterton Tribune, The Times or the Post Tribune on any given week day. Property and
judgments are posted at the Civil Bureau office during business
hours. (We do not make copies.) Notices are posted at
the Porter County Courthouse. ALL SALES MAY BE CANCELLED RIGHT
UP UNTIL THE TIME OF SALE.
AVAILABILITY TO INSPECT PROPERTY
Property being foreclosed upon is still in the hands of the property
owner until sold at Sheriff’s Sale. Therefore, you will not have the
opportunity to inspect the property which may be owner occupied.
OTHER LIENS ON FORECLOSED PROPERTY
The Sheriff has no knowledge of any other liens on properties other
than what is listed in the judgment order which is available for
inspection at the Porter County Clerk’s office in the Courthouse.
If you are unfamiliar on how to research liens, the Sheriff
recommends that you pay a title company to perform this task for
you. If you buy property at Sheriff’s Sale it is a risk. The
Sheriff does not guarantee clear title. You need to
contact an attorney for advice on whether you would or would not be
responsible for liens on a foreclosed property. We cannot give
legal advice.
AFTER THE SALE
If you are the successful bidder, it will take one to two weeks to
obtain a Sheriff’s Deed. If the property is still occupied and you
need the Sheriff’s assistance in removing the occupants, you must
file for a WRIT OF ASSISTANCE (court order), usually obtained with
the help of an attorney. The Sheriff will serve the writ and then
remove the occupants if necessary. The Sheriff will stand by while
you secure the property.
Any questions on Sheriff’s Sales can be answered Monday through
Friday, except holidays, 8:00am to 4:00pm.
David E. Lain
Porter County Sheriff
By: Kathy
Nichols, Civil Bureau Supervisor |
