Pennsylvania Laws

Pennsylvania foreclosure must be pursued by judicial means. The homeowner has to initially be in default for 60 days before the lender can make any action against them. After that, the lender must mail the homeowner a Letter of Default, informing them of the amount owed and the lender's intention to foreclose. The homeowner then has 30 days in which to provide payment. If this does not occur, the lender may file a suit against the homeowner in court.

The court schedules a hearing at which the homeowner may contest the default. If the court finds that a default has occurred, they will rule against the homeowner and sell their property at public auction in order to collect the debt. The homeowner can avoid a sale and keep possession of their property by paying off the default amount owed anytime up to one hour before the sale actually begins.

Thirty days before the sale, the Sheriff must present the homeowner with a Notice of Sale informing them of the upcoming foreclosure auction. The Sheriff must also arrange for the Notice to be printed in two local newspapers for three weeks leading up to the sale. The sale can be postponed only once, but for no longer than 100 days.

On the date in question, the Sheriff auctions off the property to the highest bidder, who assumes full ownership upon full payment of their bid. The original homeowner retains no rights to redemption once a sale is closed.

• Click here to begin your search in Pennsylvania