Property-tax collection system

**chudclay** · 08-14-2011, 06:28 AM

Taxes wither on the vine | Philadelphia Inquirer | 08/13/2011

**Moonraker** · 08-14-2011, 08:48 AM

And where are the citizen-vultures who can readily bring tax delinquent properties to sheriff sale?
Over time, I have brought 7 of my local properties to sheriff sale. All were shells, rehabbed & are up to date on taxes.

**fiveomar** · 08-14-2011, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Moonraker

And where are the citizen-vultures who can readily bring tax delinquent properties to sheriff sale?
Over time, I have brought 7 of my local properties to sheriff sale. All were shells, rehabbed & are up to date on taxes.

Yes but how does one accomplish this anonymously? No one wants a ghetto property owner coming after them.

**Moonraker** · 08-15-2011, 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by fiveomar

Yes but how does one accomplish this anonymously? No one wants a ghetto property owner coming after them.

While I have not done this for 17 years, to the best of my knowledge the process of bring a delinquent property to Sherriff's Sale is anonymous. It may require a deposit of ernest money.
I have never worried about vengence. The practice was very common in the 70-80's with small realtors and investors. I know someone who filed on a Street family property. NOoooo Problem!!!

**Smooth Sailor** · 08-18-2011, 06:04 PM

From the data shown in the map, the Graveley Roofing company owes about 70K in taxes on SIX different properties in the 26th and Poplar vicinity. I'd love to have that land turned over to someone who is willing to develop that eyesore of an intersection.

**phillyaggie** · 08-18-2011, 06:24 PM

another article in the Inky series clearly talked about how the Sheriff's sales have really been slowed down in the last couple of years. There is a lot of political unwillingness to kick people out of their homes "merely" for not paying taxes. Basically, there is no will to get the system right...there is only will enough to tax the heck out of those who are willing and able to pay incrementally more...until they tire and leave.

**CherieV** · 08-18-2011, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Smooth Sailor

From the data shown in the map, the Graveley Roofing company owes about 70K in taxes on SIX different properties in the 26th and Poplar vicinity. I'd love to have that land turned over to someone who is willing to develop that eyesore of an intersection.

Thank you...me too! Parking garage? Supermarket? Park? Swimming Pool? Community garden? The possibilities are endless!

**StrangeTanks** · 08-18-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by fiveomar

Yes but how does one accomplish this anonymously? No one wants a ghetto property owner coming after them.

I've done it, its anonymous.

**raider.adam** · 08-19-2011, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by StrangeTanks

I've done it, its anonymous.

It is? I am pretty sure when you put the $800 down to start the process that is public record.

**ArcticSplash** · 08-19-2011, 11:08 AM

You can give a false name and pay with a money order.

**raider.adam** · 08-19-2011, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

You can give a false name and pay with a money order.

So how do they give you your money back if you don't win the auction and how do you get the property if you do?

**ArcticSplash** · 08-19-2011, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

So how do they give you your money back if you don't win the auction and how do you get the property if you do?

Take the reciept they gave you back.

You don't "get" the property. You have to bid on it with everyone else.

**raider.adam** · 08-19-2011, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

Take the reciept they gave you back.

You don't "get" the property. You have to bid on it with everyone else.

I thought the $800 down was the opening bid.

**borntochill** · 08-19-2011, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by ArcticSplash

Take the reciept they gave you back.

With a receipt, the City will issue a refund check made payable to an entirely different name and address than the fake one you paid them with before? Have you tried this yourself?

**StrangeTanks** · 08-19-2011, 01:44 PM

I've had it happen both ways.

You go down and have to fight and argue with the folks at the revenue department because so few people do it that they don't know whats going on. Immediately ask for a supervisor if they tell you they can't initiate the sheriff's sale. They might send you to Linbarger who will send you back to the revenue department.

Eventually you put in your deposit. I can't remember if it has to be cash or can be a check or money order. Last friend who did it had to put in $1000 to Linbarger.

Then the process is initiated. It has to go through the system and it takes about a year. They send you a letter telling you that the property is going for sale and what date and time. My letters got to me after the sale, but I might just have crappy mail service. I keep an eye on the sales and managed to show up at my sales even without being notified.

Opening bid is based somehow on what is owed on the property. You stand up and bid on the property in the same manner as anyone else would. If you win the bid, you walk up to the desk and tell them you had put a deposit on the property. Each property has a file folder and your paperwork will be in there.

You will then have to pay 10% of your bid price minus the deposit you already paid.

You must pay in cash or certified funds. You then have 30 days to settle up on the remainder. You can get an additional 30 days if you ask for it in writing.

You must go to the revenue department and get a document from them stating you don't owe any other back taxes. Then you can settle up in cash or certified funds at the sheriff's office where they will give you kind of a receipt that acts as a deed until the rest of the paperwork goes through.

Sheriff's deeds are guaranteed to have clear title. If any debts come about after you settle just bring them into the sheriff's office.

If you do not show up at the sale, or do not win the bidding or the sale is stayed. You go to the sheriff's office and tell them you put in a deposit. They will give you your deposit back right away.

**StrangeTanks** · 08-19-2011, 01:49 PM

As far as anonymous. I think just the fact that you own a house and it comes up for sheriff's because of back taxes there is no indication that its because someone initiated it.

From what I have seen, its just a paperclipped in paper in the file folder for that property, nothing on a computer. Unless they know someone at revenue I can't imagine they can get access to that information.

**love to travel** · 08-19-2011, 02:00 PM

My friend got the house next door to me . He had to pay all the back taxes it cost $9,800. But he was happy

**raider.adam** · 08-19-2011, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by StrangeTanks

As far as anonymous. I think just the fact that you own a house and it comes up for sheriff's because of back taxes there is no indication that its because someone initiated it.

From what I have seen, its just a paperclipped in paper in the file folder for that property, nothing on a computer. Unless they know someone at revenue I can't imagine they can get access to that information.

Just because it isn't in a computer doesn't mean they can't request information from the file.

Originally Posted by love to travel

My friend got the house next door to me . He had to pay all the back taxes it cost $9,800. But he was happy

If he paid back taxes, it wasn't a sheriff sale.

**love to travel** · 08-19-2011, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by raider.adam

Just because it isn't in a computer doesn't mean they can't request information from the file.

If he paid back taxes, it wasn't a sheriff sale.

Yes it was I went with him to 39th and market to the sheriff sale and he had to bid like everyone else

**raider.adam** · 08-19-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by love to travel

Yes it was I went with him to 39th and market to the sheriff sale and he had to bid like everyone else

Ok, to clarify. The property went to auction, people bid on it and after the bidding was done, the City still charged him the back taxes on top of the amount he bid for?

He bid $y and he paid $y + $9,800?