When are Chester County sheriff sales held?
| Item | Chester County rule |
|---|---|
| Day and time | Third Thursday of the month, 11:00 AM |
| Months | January through November; none in December |
| Format | Online auction on Bid4Assets |
| 2026 changes | No sales May through August 2026. Those sales moved to September 17, October 15 and November 19 |
| If the county closes | That day's sale is cancelled and moves to the next scheduled date |
| Status updates | The Sheriff's sale search site updates nightly and the day after each sale |
For bidders: the deposit must reach Bid4Assets 2 business days before the sale. The winning bidder pays 10% of the price plus a 1.5% buyer's premium by 4:00 PM that day, and the rest within 21 calendar days. A $35 fee is added per parcel won.
Legal notices for each sale run in the county legal journal. The Sheriff's handbills show the original listing and aren't updated, so check the live sale search site for current status.
How does a Chester County home end up at sheriff sale?
In most cases, a lender forecloses in the Court of Common Pleas, wins a judgment, and has the Sheriff sell the home. Unpaid property taxes are a separate track run by the county Tax Claim Bureau.
How can you stop a Chester County sheriff sale?
- Act on your Act 91 notice. Meet a housing counseling agency within 33 days of the notice's date to apply for Pennsylvania's emergency mortgage help.
- Reinstate the loan. You can pay what's past due, plus reasonable fees and costs, as late as one hour before bidding opens, up to three times a calendar year.
- Work it out with the lender. Ask about a modification, repayment plan, forbearance or short sale.
- Get legal advice. A bankruptcy filing can pause the sale; an attorney can tell you if it's right for you.
- Sell first. With equity in the home, a sale before the auction date almost always beats the auction for you.
Postponements and what happens after
The lender can push a sale up to 130 days out, twice, by announcing the new date at the sale. After the sale, the Sheriff has 30 days to propose how the money gets paid out, and objections are due 10 days after that schedule is filed. If the home sold for more than the debts, talk to an attorney about claiming the surplus.
Selling before the sale
If the auction date is weeks away, a direct sale can still close in time, usually in about 10 days. If you have months and the home is in good shape, listing it may net more, and we'll say so. Our five options are a cash offer, a mortgage takeover, cash + rent-back, seller financing and Fix & List, each with the numbers in writing.
Want to see your options?
Share the address and your sale date. You'll get a written offer with the math, and an honest answer if another path pays you more. Call or text (302) 525-0787.
Get My Written Offer Call (302) 525-0787Frequently asked questions
Where is the Chester County sheriff sale list?
On the Sheriff's sale search site, which shows each property's current status.
Are Chester County sheriff sales in person?
No. They run online on Bid4Assets.
Can I still sell my house once it's scheduled?
Yes, until the auction. The lender is paid at settlement and the sale comes off the list.
Pennsylvania sheriff sales: Delaware County · Bucks County
General information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Laws, fees, and schedules change. Confirm with the office named or your attorney.
