Important Information about Bidding on Sheriff Sales

Individuals interested in bidding on Sheriff Sale properties MUST bring to the sale a letter of available funds from their financial institution dated the day of the sale.

• If you do not bring a letter with you, you will not be allowed to bid on a property.
• If you bring a letter with you that does not have the current date on it, you will not be allowed to bid on a property.
• If you do not have the amount of funds available to you on your letter, you will not be allowed to bid on a property.
• If you are the winning bidder on a property, your bid must be PAID IN FULL by either cashier’s check or money order made payable to
• Hancock County Sheriff's Office no later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of the sale.
• No personal checks will be accepted.
• All bids are final and irrevocable.

Please Note the Following Regarding All Sheriff Sales

• The Sheriff’s Department does NOT warrant the accuracy of the property address as listed.
• The Sheriff’s Department can NOT act as a Realtor.
• We do not have keys to the properties.
• It is the responsibility of the purchaser to make necessary entry provisions after the sale concludes.
• All properties sold by the Sheriff’s Office are sold “as is”, and no express or implied warranties are to be construed to be given by the Sheriff’s Office.
• The potential buyer is purchasing the property sight unseen. You are NOT allowed to enter the premises and view it prior to the sale.
• It is the responsibility of the potential buyer to FULLY research any outstanding taxes, liens, and title searches. The Treasurer’s Office can advise you whether there are any taxes currently owed on the property. These taxes may include real estate taxes, sewer liens, weed liens, mowing liens, ditch assessments, or others.
• The Assessor’s Office can give you assessment information concerning lot size, square footage, room sizes, building materials, past ownership, yearly taxes due, etc.
• The Recorder’s Office and the County Clerk’s Office may also have a record of any liens against the property.
• A Realtor may be able to advise if the property has been listed before and can give you a profile of the home if it has been listed for sale in the past.
• Any costs for the sale and any county-assessed taxes outstanding will be deducted from the total bid amount and will be disbursed by the Sheriff’s Department.
• The searches are the responsibility of the interested purchasing parties.
• All buyers should be aware that any Federal or State liens become the responsibility of the new purchaser.
• While the Sheriff’s Sale and issuance of the Sheriff’s Deed to the purchaser will eliminate or clear claims of lien holders specifically named in the complaint against the original mortgage holder, the IRS has 120 days from the date of the sale to redeem the property if they hold interest in it.

Where to Find Notices of Sheriff Sales

Individual sale notices are available for viewing at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office as well as from the Auditor’s Office in the County Annex Building. Sales are published in the Greenfield Daily Reporter for a period of three (3) consecutive weeks, beginning approximately thirty (30) days prior to the sale. Notices are served to the Defendant(s) by personal or copy service or by mail and to the Attorney for the Plaintiff. The persons being served are listed on the Notice of Sale.

After a Sheriff Sale Purchase

The successful bidder of a property can expect to receive a Sheriff’s Deed within a few weeks of the sale. It is the purchaser’s responsibility to file this paperwork with the appropriate agencies and offices. If you have questions concerning these legal documents, please consult an attorney for clarifications and filing procedures.

Contact

For questions, please contact Susan Coy, 317-477-1147 or email at scoy@hancockcoingov.org