Record Breaking Forfeited Land Sale

Auditor’s Office Held Record Breaking Forfeited Land Sale

Jefferson- Ashtabula County Auditor David Thomas announced a successful Forfeited Land Sale held at the Jefferson Community Center the first week of February. The Auditor’s Office sold 93 parcels of land for $145,100 at the packed but socially distant auction. 

“Many of these properties have been delinquent for a decade or more, and have not been contributing to the tax rolls or being put to use,” explained Auditor Thomas. “Our office has held as many sales as possible to get through the backlog of delinquent properties.” 

The sale included a mixture of vacant properties and those with structures and homes. Vacant property began the foreclosure process in 2017 whereas improved properties were more recently added. Properties were from all parts of Ashtabula County, with concentrations in Roaming Shores, Dorset, Ashtabula, and Conneaut.

Roughly 130 residents and out of county bidders attended the sale and followed social distancing guidelines. The Auditor’s Office mandated masks, spaced chairs, and temperature checks. Auditor Thomas opened the auction by thanking his staff for their work and the Jefferson Village Community Center for allowing the auction to occur there, citing the essential business of land transfers and getting property back on the tax roles.

“We have held six Vacant Land Sales and three Forfeited Land Sales in my Administration, a record in getting properties back in people who can enjoy them,” said Auditor Thomas. “We have tentatively scheduled two more vacant land sales for May and appreciate the help of the Prosecutor’s office in expediting these auctions.”

The two highest winning bids were both for houses in Ashtabula City. The last lot in the auction sold for $29,000 and the first lot brought $20,000 from auction. Remaining parcels varied in winning bid amounts, with only eight not selling. Unsold parcels will be placed back into the sale for the next auction. Funds collected will be used to pay the back-tax amounts owed on the properties in addition to court costs and fees. “The enthusiasm for this sale only continues to highlight our strong real estate market in the county and demand for properties,” stated Auditor Thomas.

Those interested in future sales should contact the Auditor’s Office to be placed on a notification list. “Our office has continued to stay open and serve the public despite COVID, holding this Forfeited Land Sale is another example of how we are continuing essential operations,” shared Auditor Thomas. “We have received many calls asking us to hold a sale, it was a great opportunity for folks.”

List of properties 

Map of properties 

Ashtabula County Auditor Forfeited Land Sale

Auction Rules and Policy

The properties listed have been foreclosed upon for delinquent taxes and are being offered for sale on one (1) occasion to be offered at a minimum starting bid and then competitively for the highest bid.  The date for this forfeited land sale is February 3, 2021. These properties have been forfeited to the State of Ohio by Court Order and remanded to the County Auditor for sale at this Forfeited Land Sale.

The auction will be held at the Jefferson Community Center located at:

11 East Jefferson Street

Jefferson, OH 44047

The following rules and policies are established to help facilitate the auction. Any interpretation, or issue not specifically covered by these rules, will be decided by the Auditor. In order to promote professional decorum, the Auditor anticipates all persons participating in, or present at, the auction will be courteous and considerate of others.

1. Attendance will be limited to seating capacity and is on a first-come basis. In order to help us comply with
2. Covid Safety Guidelines, we ask that only one person per household attend the sale, Seating will be reserved to registered bidders if our room becomes full.  The wearing of masks is mandatory and social distancing will be required.  `Registration will begin at 9:00 am and the first auction will begin at 10:00 am or shortly thereafter. A picture ID with current residence is required to register. Once registered, bidders will be given a bid card and any other information needed.
3. Parcels withdrawn from the auction, for any reason, will be announced immediately prior to the day’s sale.
4. Only the registered bidder will be permitted to use the bid cards and make bids, meaning no sharing of bid cards.
5. Each property will be auctioned with an opening minimum bid and increased until bidding ceases.
6. Any parcel not sold at this auction will be offered at a future forfeiture sale.
7. All sales are “As-Is” and “Buyer Beware.” Caution is advised. Many properties have characteristics which have prevented sales in the past. The County Auditor does not give any representation regarding possession, eviction, prior inspection, scheduled demolition, health code violation, or any other matter. The County Auditor will issue an “Auditor’s Deed.” A mobile home or other structure may be present and unknown to the Auditor.
8. Properties in this sale shall not be sold to any person that is delinquent on any real property taxes in the State of Ohio. Further, purchasers are prohibited from having a current ownership interest in the property being auctioned. An affidavit to that effect must be signed by the successful bidder. Further, any transfer of the property to a prior owner within the next 3 years will be referred to the County Prosecutor and may result in an immediate forfeiture of the property back to the State of Ohio.
9. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.
10. Fees are as follows:
    1. Deed fee: $45.00
    2. Transfer Fee: $0.50 per parcel
    3. Envelope and postage: $0.50 per parcel
    4. Recording Fee: $34.00 per deed of 2 pages, $8.00 for each additional page.
11. Payment in full must be received by 3:00pm day of sale. Upon payment of a deposit of $250, the Auditor will issue a Certificate of Sale to the successful bidder.
12. Deposits and payments may be made by business or personal check with prior approval of the Auditor. Otherwise they must be in cash, bank money order, or certified check, and made payable to the “Ashtabula County Treasurer.” ALL DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.
13. Failure to pay the balance by 3:00pm day of sale will result in forfeiting any deposit, or payment, in full and the matter will be forwarded to the County Prosecutor for possible action. Bidding with the intent to delay the sale or hindering the Auditor from completing the sale may constitute the obstruction of official business. Persons suspected of this may be referred to the County Prosecutor as well.
14. Back-up bidder’s information will be taken at the time of the sale. If the successful bidder fails to pay any balance, the back-up bidder will be offered the option to step in as if the successful bidder (for the original winning bid amount).
15. The Auditor will then issue the Auditor’s Deed, have it recorded with the County Recorder, and have it delivered to the purchaser. The conveyance of the real estate by the Auditor shall extinguish all previous title and invest the purchaser with a new and perfect title that is free from all liens and encumbrances, except taxes and installments of special assessments and reassessments not due at the time of the sale, federal tax liens, and any easements and covenants running with the land. If there is a federal tax lien on the tract of land at the time of the sale, the United States is entitled to redeem the tract of land according to law.
16. The purchaser becomes the legal owner at the time the Auditor delivers the deed to the County Recorder
17. NOTE FOR ROAMING SHORES PARCELS:  ***Parcels located in Roaming Shores are buying into the Homeowner's Association that carries a $1,000 new member fee and future charges of membership dues and water/sewer fees. *** 

­­­­­­­­­­­David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor