Everything you need to understand Allegheny County tax deed auctions and how to use this platform to find your first deal.
When a property owner in Allegheny County fails to pay their property taxes for multiple years, the county can seize the property and sell it at a public auction — called a Sheriff Sale (or Tax Deed Sale).
These auctions happen every month and are conducted entirely online (virtual). Properties start at a minimum bid that covers back taxes, fees, and court costs — often far below market value.
For investors, this creates an opportunity: buy distressed properties cheaply, then rent, flip, or hold them for appreciation. But it also comes with risk — some properties have title issues, bankruptcies, or additional liens that can complicate ownership.
That's exactly what this platform helps you navigate.
On auction day, you'll see which properties the Sheriff advertises as 'Free & Clear' under the writ (a sale-list label, not a title guarantee — some liens and claims can survive), which have bankruptcy risks, and which ones to avoid. Use our built-in profit calculator to set your max bid before the virtual auction opens.
A tax deed sale (also called a Sheriff Sale) happens when a property owner fails to pay their property taxes. The county takes the property and sells it at public auction to recover the unpaid taxes. The buyer gets the deed — and can potentially acquire property well below market value.
A 'Free & Clear' property is one the Sheriff's published sale list advertises as 'Free & Clear' under the writ for a Sci Fa Sur Tax Lien. That is the Sheriff's own label, not a title guarantee — some liens and claims can still survive the sale. Always conduct a title search before bidding. See our article on what 'Free & Clear' actually means.
A Parcel ID (also called a parcel number or PIN) is the unique identifier assigned to every property in Allegheny County by the county assessor. It's used across tax records, court documents, and mapping systems to reference a specific piece of land.
The minimum bid is the opening price at auction — it represents the total amount owed in back taxes, legal fees, and court costs. You cannot bid below this number. If no one bids, the property reverts to the county.
'Sci Fa Sur Tax Lien' is the legal case type for delinquent property tax collections in Pennsylvania. A writ of 'scire facias' (Latin: 'make known') is issued to the owner, giving them a final chance to pay before the property goes to Sheriff Sale.
The delinquent amount is the total unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest owed on the property. This is different from the minimum bid — the minimum bid also includes court and attorney fees.
Official Data Sources
⚠ Independent Service — Not Affiliated with the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office. AlleghenySheriffSales.com is an independent private data platform operated by Shibumi Enterprises. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office, Allegheny County government, or any of their departments, agencies, or affiliates. All data is sourced from publicly available records. For official information, visit alleghenycountypa.gov/sheriff.