How do I sell my house fast in Pittsburgh PA?

Contact We Buy Property at (412) 424-6412 for a free, no-obligation cash offer. We can close in as little as 7 days with no repairs, cleaning, or agent fees required.

How quickly can you close on my Pittsburgh house?

We can close in as little as 7 days. We pay cash so there are no mortgage delays, no appraisals, and no waiting on bank approvals.

Do I need to make repairs before selling?

No. We buy houses in any condition — fire damage, flood damage, hoarder homes, or properties needing major renovation. You pay nothing out of pocket.

Are there any fees or commissions?

Zero. No agent commissions, no closing costs, no hidden fees. The cash offer we make is what you receive at closing.

What areas do you buy houses in?

We buy houses throughout the Pittsburgh metro area including Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Westmoreland, Butler, and Armstrong counties — covering all Pittsburgh neighborhoods and surrounding communities.

Can you buy my house if it is in foreclosure?

Yes. We specialize in helping homeowners stop foreclosure. We can close fast enough to satisfy the bank timeline and help you walk away with cash.

What if I inherited a property in Pittsburgh I don't want?

We buy inherited properties in Pittsburgh regularly. We work around probate timelines and can buy the property as-is, saving you months of work and carrying costs.

Who buys houses for cash in Pittsburgh PA?

We Buy Property, led by Mark Schinzel, is a local Pittsburgh cash home buyer. We have purchased hundreds of homes across Allegheny, Washington, Beaver, Westmoreland, Butler, and Armstrong counties. Call (412) 424-6412 for a same-day cash offer.

What Is a Sheriff Sale in Allegheny County and How Does It Work?

A sheriff sale is one of the most misunderstood events in Pittsburgh-area real estate. Some people think it means immediate eviction. Others think it’s a great place to buy cheap property. Most homeowners receiving notice of a scheduled sheriff sale don’t fully understand what it means for them or what options remain. This article explains exactly how Allegheny County sheriff sales work — for both homeowners and anyone interested in the process.

What Is a Sheriff Sale?

A sheriff sale (also called a sheriff’s sale) is a court-ordered public auction of real property to satisfy a judgment debt. In the foreclosure context — which is the most common reason for sheriff sales in Allegheny County — a lender who has obtained a foreclosure judgment in Court of Common Pleas is entitled to have the property sold to satisfy the unpaid mortgage debt.

The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office conducts these sales under the authority of Pennsylvania’s Rules of Civil Procedure and the Deficiency Judgment Act. It is not a voluntary sale — the court is compelling the sale to satisfy the creditor’s judgment.

How Does a Property End Up at Allegheny County Sheriff Sale?

The path to a sheriff sale in Pennsylvania requires several steps under our judicial foreclosure system:

Default: Homeowner stops making mortgage payments
Act 91/Act 6 notices: Lender sends required pre-foreclosure notices
Foreclosure complaint filed: Lender files lawsuit in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas
Service on homeowner: Homeowner is served with complaint and summons
No response or default judgment: If homeowner doesn’t respond, lender obtains default judgment
Praecipe for writ of execution: Lender files this document to initiate sheriff sale process
Sheriff’s sale scheduled: Sheriff’s Office sets a sale date and time
Notice and advertisement: Pennsylvania law requires the sale to be advertised in a newspaper of general circulation for three consecutive weeks before the sale date
Sheriff sale conducted: Property is auctioned at the Allegheny County Courthouse (Room 302 or as currently designated)

When and Where Are Allegheny County Sheriff Sales Held?

Allegheny County Sheriff Sales for real estate are typically held on specified Fridays at the Allegheny County Courthouse, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219. The schedule is published on the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office website (alleghenycounty.us/sheriff). Sales are held monthly or more frequently when court backlogs demand it.

With foreclosure filings up 162% year-over-year in Allegheny County (April 2025: 82 filings → April 2026: 215 filings), the volume of properties moving through the sheriff sale process has increased significantly in 2026.

What Happens at the Auction?

At the sheriff sale, the property is offered to the highest bidder. The process:

Minimum bid: The sheriff typically opens bidding at the amount needed to satisfy the judgment plus costs and fees. This is often the full mortgage balance plus accumulated interest, attorney fees, and sheriff sale costs.
Bidding: Any member of the public can bid. Bidders typically must register in advance and provide a deposit (often 10% of bid at time of sale, with remainder due within 30 days).
Lender credit bids: The foreclosing lender can “credit bid” — bid up to the amount owed to them without bringing cash. If no third party bids above the lender’s credit bid, the lender takes ownership of the property (REO — Real Estate Owned).
Surplus funds: If the property sells for more than the judgment amount, the surplus goes first to any junior lienholders (second mortgages, judgment liens), then to the original owner. Original owners sometimes receive surplus funds — this is worth understanding if your property has more equity than the mortgage balance.

What Rights Does the Homeowner Retain After Sheriff Sale?

Unlike some other states, Pennsylvania does not provide a statutory right of redemption after sheriff sale. Once the gavel falls and the sale is confirmed by the court (typically 20 days after the sale), the winning bidder receives a sheriff’s deed, and the original owner’s rights to the property are extinguished.

There is, however, a period between the sale and court confirmation during which exceptions can be filed — if the sale was conducted improperly (inadequate notice, irregularities in the process), the original owner or an interested party can file exceptions to set aside the sale. This requires a Pennsylvania attorney.

Can You Stop or Postpone a Sheriff Sale?

Yes — there are several ways to stop or postpone a scheduled Allegheny County sheriff sale:

Pay the arrears (reinstatement): In Pennsylvania, a homeowner can reinstate the mortgage by paying all past-due amounts (not the full balance — just the arrears) plus costs before the sheriff sale. This stops the foreclosure and restores the original loan terms.

Pay the full payoff: Paying off the entire mortgage balance stops the foreclosure. A cash sale that closes before the sheriff sale date accomplishes this.

File for bankruptcy: An automatic stay in bankruptcy immediately halts a pending sheriff sale. Chapter 13 bankruptcy allows a reorganization plan to catch up on mortgage arrears over 3-5 years. This is a significant legal step — consult a bankruptcy attorney.

Petition for continuance: An attorney can petition the court to postpone (continue) the sale date, which may provide time to arrange a private sale or other resolution. Courts will sometimes grant continuances but are not obligated to.

Loan modification approval: If you’re in active loss mitigation with your lender and they’ve approved or are actively processing a modification, lenders typically agree to postpone sheriff sales during this process.

Selling Before the Sheriff Sale: The Best Option for Most Homeowners

For most Pittsburgh homeowners facing a sheriff sale, selling the property before the sale date — capturing any remaining equity and avoiding the foreclosure on their credit record — is the best available outcome. A cash sale can close quickly enough to beat a scheduled sheriff sale date in most cases.

We’ve helped Pittsburgh homeowners sell with as little as two weeks before a scheduled sheriff sale. The title search is expedited, the closing is prioritized, and the mortgage is paid off from proceeds. The homeowner retains any equity above the payoff amount and avoids the credit damage of a completed foreclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions: Allegheny County Sheriff Sales

How do I find out if my property is scheduled for sheriff sale?

Check the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office website (alleghenycounty.us/sheriff) under the real estate sales section. Sales are also advertised in the Pittsburgh Legal Journal and local newspapers. If you’ve been served with a writ of execution by the Sheriff’s Office, you will receive formal notice of the sale date.

Can I buy my own house back at sheriff sale?

Technically yes — a homeowner can bid at a sheriff sale on their own property. However, if you had the funds to pay the minimum bid (which equals the debt owed), you’d be better off paying the lender directly to reinstate or pay off the mortgage before the sale. Bidding at your own sheriff sale is extremely unusual and almost never the optimal strategy.

What happens to tenants in a property that goes to sheriff sale?

After a sheriff sale, the new owner may begin eviction proceedings against any occupants, including tenants. Under Pennsylvania law, tenants with existing leases may have some protection under the “Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act” — a federal law requiring new owners to provide 90-day notice before evicting month-to-month tenants after foreclosure.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only, not legal advice. If you’re facing a scheduled sheriff sale, consult a Pennsylvania foreclosure defense attorney immediately.

If you’re facing a sheriff sale in Allegheny County and want to explore selling, visit our foreclosure page or contact We Buy Property LLC for a same-day response. We’ve helped Pittsburgh homeowners sell with days to spare before scheduled auctions. 73+ Google Reviews. (412) 424-6412.