View Active Wayne County Listings
Opening bids, property photos, ARV estimates, and auction dates
Overview
Wayne County (Detroit) is Michigan's most populous county and handles the highest volume of mortgage foreclosure auctions in the state. Sales are held weekly on Tuesdays at 11:00 AM in the Erma Henderson Auditorium, 13th Floor, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center (CAYMC), 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit. Payment must be in EXACT amounts — cashier's checks or cash, no change given. Tax foreclosures are handled separately by the Wayne County Treasurer via waynecountytreasurermi.com with tiered deposit requirements.
Quick Reference
How to Bid at a Wayne County Sheriff Sale
Follow these steps to participate in an upcoming Wayne County auction:
Find upcoming listings
Browse Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne 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 EXACT amounts only — cashier's checks or cash, NO change given. 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 Wayne County Investors
You MUST arrive at 11:00 AM sharp — arriving late means missing the auction process and payment instructions.
Bring MULTIPLE cashier's checks in different denominations plus cash — no change is given at the sale.
Three categories of sales at the same time and place: Mortgage Sales by Advertisement, Judicial Sales, and HUD Federal Foreclosures.
Tax foreclosures use waynecountytreasurermi.com with tiered deposits: $1K (bids under $10K), $10K ($10K-$25K), $25K ($25K+) plus $50 registration fee.
Wayne County Sheriff does NOT handle tax foreclosures — contact the Wayne County Treasurer exclusively.
Contact Court Services at (313) 224-2260 after a mortgage sale to inquire about surplus proceeds.
Browse Wayne County Listings Now
See opening bids, estimated ARV, property photos, and equity spread for every active listing.
View Wayne County ListingsFrequently Asked Questions
Are Wayne County sheriff sales in person or online?
Wayne County sheriff sales are conducted in person: In-person at CAYMC, 13th Floor, Erma Henderson Auditorium. 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County sheriff sale listings?
SheriffIQ aggregates Wayne County sheriff sale listings with opening bids, property photos, ARV estimates, and auction dates. You can also check the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office website directly.
Official Resources
Wayne County Listings on SheriffIQ
Photos, opening bids, ARV, and equity spread