Facing Foreclosure in Berks County, PA: Online Sheriff Sale Guide

Step by step in Berks County

1. 1

   Look for the Act 91 notice

   Your lender issues an Act 91 notice to tell you about HEMAP. PHFA says to apply within 33 days of the notice date, and that the lender cannot act further while the application proceeds. Qualifying takes an owner-occupied home and a delinquency caused by events outside your control.

2. 2

   Use the free counseling

   PHFA says any Pennsylvania resident can get housing counseling at no charge to address a mortgage delinquency. After the counselor meets with you, a 30-day window opens to submit the HEMAP application, and PHFA then has 60 days to decide. The number is 1.855.U.Are.Home (827.3466).

3. 3

   Find your property on the county list

   Berks posts its properties at sheriffsale.countyofberks.com and on the RealAuction site, listed in sale order. Find your address and note the sale date. The county says properties are not available for public inspection and carry no assurances of any kind.

4. 4

   Understand the online bidding rules

   Bidders must deposit at least 10 percent of the winning bid with RealAuction no less than 7 days before the sale. The county says the minimum bid represents the costs to bring the property to sale. The balance is due within 10 calendar days, and a bidder who does not pay forfeits the down payment.

5. 5

   Count the extra cost on a sold parcel

   The county page says a $250 fee is assessed on each parcel sold, effective January 1, 2026, and added to the final sales price. It supports the Demolition and Rehabilitation Fund. The page also says deeds are recorded about 60 days after the sale, so a sale does not end the process the same afternoon.

6. 6

   Know the post-sale claim deadline

   A Real Estate Claim Form must be filed within ten days from the date of the Sheriff's Sale, with a $10.00 filing fee, according to the Sheriff's page. Ask an attorney whether that form is relevant to anyone in your case, such as a lienholder or tenant.

7. 7

   Get a payoff and compare options

   Ask the lender for a written payoff figure. If the house is worth more than the debt, a sale before the auction may protect equity. If it is worth less, talk to a counselor or attorney before agreeing to anything. Compare a workout, a listing and a cash sale side by side.

Berks County offices you may deal with

Berks County foreclosure questions