Can I sell my house after a sheriff sale is scheduled in Pennsylvania?

Foreclosure does not take your ownership away until the sheriff sale. PALawHELP says homeowners who catch up on payments before the sheriff's sale can stop the foreclosure, up to three times in a calendar year, by paying what is owed plus the lender's court costs, late fees and reasonable attorney's fees. Selling is another way to pay off the loan before the sale.

PALawHELP's foreclosure guide tells homeowners to ask the lender for permission to sell the house. It also mentions a deed in lieu of foreclosure, in which you sign the deed over to the bank and avoid the sheriff sale process. Whichever path you take, request a written payoff statement. The figure usually includes the loan balance plus fees added during the case.

Under Rule 3129.2, handbills go up on the property at least 30 days before the sale. That is a clue to how many days remain. A sale needs a buyer, a contract, a title search and a closing. A cash buyer who does not wait on a bank loan can be faster than a retail buyer. Ask whichever buyer you pick for a firm closing date in writing. One more practical point: a buyer who needs a mortgage will often need an appraisal, an inspection period and a lender's underwriting. Each of those takes days. When the sale date is close, a buyer who is paying cash and who does not depend on those steps has an edge. Ask any buyer to put the closing date, the deposit and any conditions in writing, and have your attorney read the contract before you sign.

Count the days left. If the handbill went up 30 days before the sale, that is the outer limit, and a real closing needs time before it. In week one, ask the lender for a written payoff and for permission to sell, and call a housing counselor. In weeks one and two, collect offers and compare the net from each. In weeks two to four, get the contract signed, order the title work and schedule the closing. Ask the buyer for a closing date in writing and whether any condition could push it back. If it looks too close, ask the lender's attorney about a postponement, and have the paperwork in writing.

Kaizen Home Buyers buys houses as-is for cash, with no repairs and no agent commission. We make an offer within 24 hours and can close in 14 to 30 days or on your date. We cannot promise an outcome for every file, and the payoff, liens and your sale date all matter. A foreclosure or real estate attorney can review the contract. Call 267-329-0084. You can also list with an agent if there is enough time before the sale.