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Home ▸ Departments ▸ Sheriff

Sheriff’s Sales

Real Estate Property Sales

Beginning on April 4, 2022 all sheriff sales will be on-line pursuant to a mandate by the State of Ohio. These sales will be conducted by Real Auction 

Select here for more detailed information on Real Auction and the detailed process

Attorney’s offices Information/Foreclosures

Creditor Bids will now be placed through Real Auction effective March 9, 2022.

The link to access Real Auction is:  http://lake.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov

Purchaser Information Sheet must accompany bid

Parcels sold pursuant to foreclosure proceedings on liens of the State, commonly
known as “tax foreclosures” or “tax sales,” may not affect or extinguish any lien or
encumbrance with respect to the parcel other than a receiver’s lien and other than the
lien for land taxes, assessments, charges, interest, and penalties for which the lien is
foreclosed and in satisfaction of which the property is sold. All other liens and
encumbrances with respect to the parcel MAY survive the sale. It is the
responsibility of the purchaser to determine which liens or encumbrances will be
extinguished by the sale.

Possession / Moving out Guidelines

Frequently Asked Questions

1) WHERE ARE THE SHERIFF SALES HELD?

Sheriff Sales are held online at http://lake.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov  every Monday at 10:00

a.m. If a holiday falls on a Monday, the sales will be conducted on Tuesday.

2) HOW ARE THE SALES EXECUTED?

Bidding begins at 2/3 of the appraised property value. Any foreclosures filed by the County Treasurer for collection of delinquent real estate taxes will have a set minimum bid per court order. All bidding information can be found on the Real Auction website under training links.

3) HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHAT REAL ESTATE PROPERTIES ARE FOR SALE?

Each week, in Friday’s News-Herald, properties are listed in the Classified Section. The properties can be found on our website http://lake.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov  and a binder of properties is available at our front counter.

4) WHEN CAN I SEE THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE?

Permission to enter the Sheriff Sale real properties is not permitted. This includes buyers, inspectors, appraisers, etc., unless a court order is obtained.

5) HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROPERTY?

The Lake County Auditor’s Office is your best source of information. Plat maps, that provide the physical lot description, are available. Property record cards are also available. These cards have information regarding land value, number of rooms and type of utilities. The Auditor’s Office can be contacted at (440) 350-2528. This information is also available through the Auditor’s website:

http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/auditor.

6) WHAT ABOUT THE PROPERTY TAXES?

The Treasurer’s Office will calculate any arrearages and estimated proration of property taxes approximately ninety (90) days out from the date of Sheriff’s Sale. This figure will be paid out of the proceeds of the Sheriff’s Sale. The Lake County Treasurer’s Office can be contacted at (440) 350-2516 or access their website at: http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/treasurer.

7) IS THERE A WAY TO FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ADDITIONAL OUTSTANDING LIENS ON A REAL PROPERTY?

Liens and deeds can be researched at the Lake County Recorder’s Office at (440) 350-2510. Their website address is: http://www.lakecountyohio.gov/recorder . You may find that the name on the deed differs from the name on the lien. The name on the deed will be the owner of the property. You may check the Court records at the Lake County Clerk of Court’s office located in the Lake County Courthouse Annex. You may check the Common Pleas docket at http://www.lakecountyohio.gov,  click on County Departments and then click on Clerk of Courts. An independent title search company may be used at the buyer’s discretion.

8) WHAT HAPPENS NEXT SHOULD I BE THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER?

Before the bidding starts, a deposit must be paid to Real Auction (at least 48 business hours before the sale).

a) If the appraised value of the residential property is less than or equal to Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), the deposit shall be Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00).

b) If the appraised value of the residential property is greater than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), but less than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), the deposit shall be Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).

c) If the appraised value of the residential property is greater than Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00), the deposit shall be Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00).

NOTE: The purchaser has no rights to the property until the sale has been confirmed. Usually, 30 to 90 days after the auction date, a “Confirmation of Sale” is received and you are contacted by the Sheriff’s Office Clerk to pay the remaining balance on the property.

9) WHEN DO I PAY THE REST OF THE MONEY?

The purchaser must pay the balance of the purchase price within thirty (30) days from the date you are contacted by the Sheriff’s Office from the Confirmation of Sale. Payments are made by certified bank check only.

10) WHEN DO I RECEIVE THE DEED?

Upon bringing in the final balance it will take approximately 5 to 10 business days for the property to be conveyed and recorded. Once the original deed is received from the Lake County Recorder’s Office, it will be mailed to the purchaser.

11) HOW CAN I RECEIVE UPDATES ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE CASE?

All actions on a foreclosure property are docketed with the Lake County Clerk of Courts. Their telephone number is (440) 350-2657. You may access the docket online at http://www.lakecountyohio.gov , click on County Departments, then click on Clerk of Courts to do a Court Record search. Our office may also be contacted for assistance at (440) 350-5519.

NOTICE: The purchaser has no rights to the property until the sale has been confirmed. From the time of purchase and before a Confirmation of Sale is filed, there are legal filings that may occur by the property owner and/or legal counsel. These filings may result in the sale of the property being vacated. If the sale is proceeding, a Confirmation of Sale is received approximately 30 to 90 days after the auction date and the purchaser is contacted. If you have not been contacted after this time, it is recommended that you check the status of your sale on the Clerk of Courts docket.