Montgomery County Sells Off Properties of Deadbeat Owners To Satisfy Taxes
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County, Pa. has auctioned off some properties owned by tax deadbeats in an effort to get those houses into the hands of new owners and back on the tax rolls.
The minimum bid for one house, on West Indian Lane in West Norriton (top photo), was just over $2,700. By the time the intense bidding ended, the house sold for $275,000.
It was one of ten properties auctioned off in a judicial real estate tax sale, in which the properties are offered "free and clear" and in "as is" condition.
"...for the properties where the owner basically and effectively walks away from them, getting them into the hands of a new owner who will pay taxes going forward and recover much of the delinquency during the sale process as possible," explains county treasurer Jason Salus.
The bidders, he says, don't have to disclose their plans but usually are either investors looking to flip properties or someone just buying a house.
The auction raised about $450,000 -- money that will be used to satisfy county, school district, and local municipality tax bills.
