Foreclosure Sales

Foreclosure sales are conducted by the Sheriff’s Office. These sales involve real estate of the defendant(s), but may also involve personal property. In both cases, property is levied upon, offered for sale, and the proceeds will be applied towards a judgement against the defendant(s).

• The Linn County Sheriff’s Office cannot give legal advice or recommend an attorney. However, it is highly recommended that you consult with an attorney prior to bidding at a Sheriff’s sale.
• All sales are held at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, unless otherwise noted on the notice of Sheriff’s sale.
• Sales noticed are posted in three public locations and published twice prior to the sale date in the legal notice section of a newspaper. The Sheriff’s Office currently posts notices at the Linn County Courthouse, Marion City Hall (Clerk's Office), and the Linn County Recorder’s Office and publishes notices in the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
• All sales are listed as cash sales. We may hold your bid with a personal check and a letter of guarantee from the same bank (subject to you returning with a cashiers check within two hours).
• The Sheriff’s Office does not guarantee clear title to any property purchased at the sale. Liens maybe attached to the property.
• Forfeiture bids may start with the judgement holder. Sales involving personal property require an opening bid of 2/3 of the appraised value unless otherwise stated.
• Some sales may have a redemption period, which is the amount of time a defendant has the right to redeem the real estate after the sale.
• In a special execution, the court directs the Sheriff what to sell.
• In a general execution, the plaintiff directs the Sheriff on what to sell. If a general execution involves real estate, only the defendant’s rights, title, and interest in that real estate are being sold.