Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 8, 2017
(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County will hold their 2017 Tax Sale on Wednesday, Sept. 13th to try to collect more than $442,360 in back property taxes.
Properties on the list being auctioned are three or more installments behind. The money is owed to local units of government, from cities and towns to the county, libraries and school corporations.
"Owners have until September 12 to pay everything that is owed," says Lawrence County Treasurer Paula Stewart.
Currently there are 260 properties for sale.
The number of parcels on the auction block are down, according to Stewart.
"Last year there were 437 parcels. I can attribute that to two things," she added. "Every time we talk to someone who is delinquent we tell them to break up the payments into smaller amounts. We don't care if they bring us $10 at a time. And second we are through the worst of the mortgage crisis. We were seeing so many foreclosures and bankruptcies; they are tangibly better."
Bidding will start at 10 a.m. in the Circuit Court courtroom.
Those bidding should be aware the sale price is likely to add up to more than just the owed taxes. It could include special assessments, such as expenses for maintaining the property, tax penalties and other charges. The buyer will also have to pay the fall tax installment.
According to Indiana's tax sale procedure, the winning bidder receives a tax lien, not a deed. The original owner has a year to pay the back taxes, plus costs and interests to the lien holder, in order to get the property back. If the owner does not pay, the lien holder then can get a tax deed to, and ownership of, the parcel.
"One legal step required is for the owner to notify the property owner of the purchase," says Stewart. "I would recommend the buyer work with a professional. The sale can not be finalized if the buyer does not complete a number of requirements. If those requirements are not met the sale can't be finalized or a deed issued."
Those interested in purchasing property at the sale should arrive at the courthouse 30 minutes early to register as bidders.
For more information regarding the process can call the treasures office at (812) 275-2431.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.