Sheriff-owned homes

[emilymarguerite]

What is the name of your state? Michigan

My partner and I are knee-deep in the home buying process, and I've been looking at info about some of the homes we like on a website that shows property assessments and other things. In looking at the sales histories of some of these properties, I am finding that occasionally there will be a house that has been owned by the county Sheriff's Department for a period of time. And for terms of sale it will say "Sheriff's Deed".

What does that mean? Why would the Sheriff's department own someone's home? I can't think of any very pleasant circumstances in which this would happen...

Thanks in advance for the info!

 

[Totalwreck123]

Sounds like the home was foreclosed due to the previous owner unable to pay a mortgage.

 

[JETX]

What does that mean? Why would the Sheriff's department own someone's home? I can't think of any very pleasant circumstances in which this would happen...

And the CORRECT answer is....
At some point, the home was likely 'seized' by the sheriff, usually as a result of a judgment lien or foreclosure.

 

[FlyingRon]

The sheriff doesn't actually own it, he's just acting as an agent of the court selling it to satisfy a court judgment where the proceeds go to whomever the money is due (the mortgage bank, the plaintiff of a lawsuit, the tax man...).

 

[emilymarguerite]

thanks you guys... not nearly as disasterous as i was thinking!

 

[>Charlotte<]

Is it possible that the properties may have been seized due to illegal activity? I'm not sure if real estate is subject to forfeit, but I would assume it is. It sounds like that's what the OP is afraid of. If this is possible, I would also assume it would have to be disclosed if, for instance, the house is the site of a former meth lab.

 

[FarmerJ]

If you can get the information via the address of a home it would be useful to know about police visits to a home in the past, If not meth related Maybe there might be other reasons to seek another home instead.

 

[HomeGuru]

And the CORRECT answer is....
At some point, the home was likely 'seized' by the sheriff, usually as a result of a judgment lien or foreclosure.

**A: I just love correct answers.

 

[onestr8]

Here in MO, 99% of the time it means that the home that has been seized and set for auction to resolve delinquent/outstanding tax bills. In STL you have to be 3 years delinquent for this to happen, but I'm sure the law varies by state/county.