Washington County Sheriff - FAQ's - Sheriff Sales
The following questions and answers were obtained from a survey conducted throughout a 4 county area regarding County processing, foreclosures and Sheriff Sales.
Sheriff Sales (Mortgage Foreclosure)
- Q. May I inspect the property before I bid on it?
- A. Most properties cannot be inspected prior to the sale. The Sheriff’s Office does not have keys to the properties that are scheduled for sale. The prospective purchaser buys the property, more or less, "as is, where is."
- Q. I want to know more about the property for sale.
- A. The Sheriff’s Office does not have the information to answer these questions. The Sheriff’s Office conducts the sale of the property but does not have specific information as to the condition of the property or what improvements may be required.
- Q. The Notice of Foreclosure Sale states a judgment was entered on
a specific date and amount against the defendant. Is this amount
the opening bid? - A. The Plaintiff determines the opening bid. The mathematical equation to determine this is not known by the Sheriff’s Office. The opening bid may be at, below, or above the amount specified in the judgment.
- Q. How and where do I go to research what financial obligations may
be levied on the property? Are there other defendants listed on
the Notice of Foreclosure Sale? - A. The buyer assumes all liens and legal encumbrances on the property. The Sheriff’s Office cannot provide legal advice on how to properly investigate what financial obligations may be outstanding. Other defendants listed on the Notice of Foreclosure Sale may have a financial interest in the property. The Sheriff’s Office cannot provide legal advice as to how to determine what financial interest is outstanding. Resources available may be a title search, record search, the Clerk of Courts and the Register of Deeds.
- Q. If I my bid on the property gets the property can I go to my bank
first? - A. No. Bidders must have cash; cashiers check or certified funds with them at the time they bid.
- Q. Some Sheriff Sales are either cancelled or adjourned. Why?
- A. The plaintiff in the case may cancel or adjourn a Sheriff’s Sale. Typical reasons for doing so include settlement or bankruptcy. The Sheriff’s Office has no control over whether a sale is cancelled or adjourned or how many times that may occur. It is suggested that you contact the Sheriff’s Office Civil Process Unit, at 262-335-4382, the morning of the scheduled sale to check whether the sale is cancelled or adjourned.
- Keep in mind that the plaintiff may cancel or adjourn the sale anytime up until the date and time of the sale (sales are always held at 10:00 a.m.). Example: You call our office at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the sale and are told the sale is "on." The plaintiff calls our office at 8:30 a.m. and requests the sale be cancelled or adjourned. You arrive at the courthouse at 8:45 a.m. and now find out the sale has been cancelled or adjourned. The Sheriff’s Office has no control over this type of situation.
- Q. Where do I find postings for Sheriff Sales?
- A. Sheriff Sales postings are generally located in three places in Washington County. They are:
- Sheriff’s Office ~ 500 N. Schmidt Road
- County Offices ~ 432 E. Washington Street
- Sheriff’s Website ~https://washingtoncountysheriffwi.org/sales.php
- Option: Washington County Register of Deeds Office, 500 432 E. Washington Street, provides computer access to Sheriff Sale postings and related information.
- Depending on where the property to be sold is located, postings may also be located elsewhere. Contact the Sheriff’s Office Civil Process Unit at 262-335-4382 for other locations.
- Sheriff Sales are also usually published in the "Legal Notices" section of the West Bend Daily News