Philadelphia County Public Auctions & Sheriff Sales
Comprehensive guide to county sheriff foreclosure auctions, tax deeds, tax lien certificates, over-the-counter land purchases, and surplus funds in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
Where to Bid on Philadelphia County Auctions
Public delinquent property auctions for Philadelphia County are managed by the Philadelphia County Tax Claim Bureau and hosted online via Philadelphia County GovEase / In-Person Auction Portal.
Philadelphia County Sheriff Sales & Judicial Foreclosures
In addition to delinquent tax sales, the Philadelphia County Sheriff's Office Civil Division conducts regular public foreclosure auctions ordered by the Circuit or Superior Court to satisfy mortgage default judgments, construction liens, and civil court executions.
Philadelphia County Repository for Unsold Properties (OTC Purchases) (Over-The-Counter)
Parcels and certificates that receive no bids during the scheduled public auctions enter the county's permanent Repository for Unsold Properties (OTC Purchases) inventory. Any citizen or investor can purchase these parcels directly from the Philadelphia County Tax Claim Bureau over the counter for the delinquent taxes and fees owed, without competing in an auction.
Unclaimed Tax Sale Surplus Funds in Philadelphia County
When a delinquent property is auctioned in Philadelphia County for more than the outstanding taxes, penalties, and administrative fees, the resulting funds are termed excess proceeds (surplus funds). By law, these funds belong to the former property owner or their legal heirs.
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4 Steps to Bid on Properties in Philadelphia County
Pre-Auction Due Diligence
Review the Philadelphia County delinquent tax list published 4–6 weeks prior to the sale. Perform title searches on Parcel ID numbers to identify superior federal liens or mortgages.
Bidder Registration & Deposit
Register on GovEase / In-Person Auction at least 48 hours prior to auction start. Deposit required bidder funds (often 5% of anticipated bid budget or flat $200 deposit).
Auction Bidding Strategy
Bid price upward against competing buyers. Ensure you do not exceed your predetermined maximum acquisition budget.
Payment & Deed Issuance
Settle the remaining purchase balance within 24 hours. The Philadelphia County Tax Claim Bureau issues a certificate or records the tax deed with the County Recorder.
Frequently Asked Questions: Philadelphia County Tax Sales
Is Philadelphia County a tax lien or tax deed county? ▼
Philadelphia County follows the Pennsylvania Tax Deed (Upset, Judicial & Repository) statutes. Bidders either obtain a first-position tax lien certificate earning Direct Tax Deed Auction statutory return or purchase physical real property deeds at public auction.
Can I buy Philadelphia County tax properties online? ▼
Yes. Tax auctions are conducted through GovEase / In-Person Auction (https://www.govease.com). Registered bidders can participate remotely from anywhere in the world.
What happens if a property does not sell at auction in Philadelphia County? ▼
Unsold parcels are added to the Philadelphia County Repository for Unsold Properties (OTC Purchases) list. These properties can be acquired directly over-the-counter through the Philadelphia County Tax Claim Bureau without an auction.