Where and When do Sheriff’s Sales Take Place?
Mortgage foreclosure sales happen online on the Official Public Sheriff's Sale Website which is operated by Realauction online Wednesdays at 10 am. Follow this link for Key Points About Online Auctions.
Tax foreclosure sales take place Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Lucas County Courthouse at 700 Adams Street in Toledo, Ohio.
Sheriff’s Foreclosure Sale Search
Visit the sheriff’s Foreclosure Case Management System to view all information on the docket and follow the progress of a foreclosure case. You also can look up current sales, review sale results and print off current sale lists.
Foreclosure Case Management System
Appraisal Fees
The appraisal fee for residential properties in foreclosure is $50 per appraiser per case.
The appraisal fee for commercial properties in foreclosure is $750 per appraiser per case. This commercial fee may be increased upon review and recommendation of the Sheriff’s Office and the approval of the judge hearing the case.
Online Sheriff’s Sales
On Dec. 16, 2020, the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office began conducting the sale of real estate subject to foreclosure on the public sheriff’s sale website, which is operated by Realauction through a contract with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Prospective bidders should familiarize the processes and procedures under which these sales will be completed.
Any person who would like to bid on a property offered by the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office must register with Realauction. This registration will include the completion of the Purchaser Information form.
Properties will be open for bid at least seven days immediately prior to the date of sale. (This is generally known as a proxy bid.)
Online auctions begin each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Only one property will be sold at a time; after a property is sold, the next scheduled property sale will begin.
- Minimum deposits (set by law at $2,000, $5,000 and $10,000 depending on the appraised value of the property) must be sent to Realauction prior to bidding.
- Wire transfer deposits must be received by 5 p.m. two business days before the Wednesday auction.
- ACH debit deposits must be received by 4 p.m. seven business days before the Wednesday auction.
If the judgement creditor is the purchaser at the sale of residential property, a sale deposit is not necessary. All other purchasers must make a sale deposit as listed above.
Tax Foreclosure Sales
Tax foreclosure sales will be sold on location at Lucas County Courthouse in person at 700 Adams Street on Thursdays.
In a tax foreclosure sale and if the property has not been appraised, a deposit in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the starting bid is required; however no such deposit shall be less than one thousand and 00/100 dollars ($1,000.00) or greater than five thousand and 00/100 ($5,000.00). The deposit shall be paid in cash or certified check. The certified check is to be made payable to yourself or the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office. NO personal checks, credit cards or business cards are accepted.
Prospective bidders should familiarize the processes and procedures under which these sales will be completed. Taxes will be paid according to the last tax bill due at the time of sale. Any questions regarding this, contact Ruth Seth at rseth@co.lucas.oh.us or 419-213-4316 in the Lucas County Treasurer's Office.
Bidding
According to Ohio Revised Code 2329.20, bidding for mortgage foreclosure sales will begin at two-thirds of the appraised value of the property, unless there is a court-ordered starting bid. Per ORC 2329.52, when a residential property is ordered to be sold pursuant to a residential mortgage loan foreclosure action, if the property remains unsold after the first auction, then a second auction shall be held and the property shall be sold to the highest bidder without regard to the minimum bid requirement (ORC 2329.21) but subject to all related costs, allowances and real estate taxes.
Be advised that, regarding sales of residential properties that are sold at an auction with no set minimum bid, the judgment creditor and the first lien holder each have the right to redeem the property within 14 days after the sale by paying the purchase price. Upon timely payment, the court shall proceed, as described in ORC 2329.31, with the redeeming party considered the successful purchaser at the sale.
Bidding on tax foreclosure sales can be sold for either back taxes and costs, or the Auditor's fair market value and costs depending on the order of the Court.
- Competitive bids for all tax foreclosure sales will be accepted in increments of at least $25.00
- You must have your money with you at the time you are bidding. No one will be allowed to leave and return at a later time to pay their deposit.
For questions concerning mortgage foreclosures, please call 419-213-4787 or 419-213-4741. For questions concerning tax foreclosures, please call 419-213-4698. The Civil Foreclosure Section is available from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Resources and Documents
Sheriff's Property Description Approval Form