View Active Oakland County Listings
Opening bids, property photos, ARV estimates, and auction dates
Overview
Oakland County (Pontiac) holds weekly mortgage foreclosure sales on Tuesdays at the Oakland County Courthouse, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, with a distinctive two-stage format: First Reading at 10:00 AM (announcements, adjournments), then bidding at 11:00 AM. Payment must be a cashier's check made payable to YOURSELF, endorsed over to the lender at the sale. Oakland County is the original subject of the landmark Rafaeli LLC v Oakland County (2020) decision on tax sale surplus proceeds.
Quick Reference
How to Bid at a Oakland County Sheriff Sale
Follow these steps to participate in an upcoming Oakland County auction:
Find upcoming listings
Browse Oakland County sheriff sale listings on SheriffIQ or the county sheriff’s website. Check sale dates and property details.
Research the property
Run a title search through the Oakland County Recorder of Deeds. Check property tax status, municipal liens, and IRS liens. Drive by the property to assess exterior condition.
Register to bid
Register with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office before the sale. Bring valid photo ID and any required deposits.
Attend and bid
Attend the auction at the designated location on sale day. Bidding is live, verbal, and ascending.
Pay the deposit
If you win, the deposit (the required deposit) is due per county rules. Have your payment ready in the accepted format — typically cashier’s check or money order.
Pay the balance
The remaining balance is due Cashier's check payable to YOURSELF — endorsed to lender at sale. Failure to pay typically results in forfeiture of your deposit and potential ban from future sales.
Receive your deed
After full payment, the Sheriff’s Deed is recorded and transferred to you.
Key Notes for Oakland County Investors
TWO-STAGE FORMAT: arrive by 10:00 AM for First Reading (adjournments, conditions). Bidding does NOT start until 11:00 AM.
Cashier's check must be payable to YOURSELF — you endorse it to the lender at the sale. Do NOT pre-make checks payable to the bank.
Oakland County is the direct subject of Rafaeli LLC v Oakland County (2020), the landmark Michigan Supreme Court decision on tax sale surplus.
Oakland County Land Bank (landbank.oakgov.com) manages unsold tax-foreclosed properties for post-auction purchase.
Tax auctions via tax-sale.info typically in Q3/Q4 each year.
Buyer CANNOT enter property during redemption period (MCL 600.3278).
Browse Oakland County Listings Now
See opening bids, estimated ARV, property photos, and equity spread for every active listing.
View Oakland County ListingsFrequently Asked Questions
Are Oakland County sheriff sales in person or online?
Oakland County sheriff sales are conducted in person: In-person, two-stage: First Reading 10 AM, Bidding 11 AM. You’ll need to attend the auction location on sale day.
Can I inspect a property before bidding?
No. Sheriff sale properties are sold AS-IS. The Sheriff’s Office cannot provide property access or keys. Drive by to assess exterior condition and neighborhood, but interior inspections are not available before the auction.
Is there a redemption period in Michigan?
Michigan has a 6-month redemption period (12 months if less than 2/3 of the mortgage was owed). During redemption, you cannot take possession, renovate, or rent the property. Budget for carrying costs.
What liens survive a Oakland County sheriff sale?
Property tax arrears, municipal liens (water, sewer, code violations), and IRS federal tax liens typically survive a sheriff sale. Junior mortgages and judgment liens are usually extinguished if properly named in the foreclosure suit. Always run a comprehensive title search before bidding.
Where can I find Oakland County sheriff sale listings?
SheriffIQ aggregates Oakland County sheriff sale listings with opening bids, property photos, ARV estimates, and auction dates. You can also check the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office website directly.
Official Resources
Oakland County Listings on SheriffIQ
Photos, opening bids, ARV, and equity spread