Sussex sees uptick in sheriff's sales

Sussex County sheriff's sales have increased nearly 70 percent over last year, but sales are nowhere near where they were during the recession.

Through the first four months of fiscal year 2017, there have been an average of 73 sales per month compared to 44 sales during the same period last fiscal year.

Tina Timmons, office manager and sheriff sales specialist, said many sales held up in the state's mandatory mediation process are now beginning to push forward.

“Sales were already in the works when mediation was ordered, and they came to a standstill until they could be reevaluated,” she said.

Compared to the first four fiscal months last year, sales have increased from 175 to 295, Timmons said.

“Attorneys were telling us that sales would start to come back and we would get busy again,” she said.

Busy may be a relative term compared to four years ago when revenue from the office skyrocketed to more than double what is has averaged. Revenue in the office has remained consistent, averaging about $2.3 million a year from a high of $4.7 million in fiscal year 2012.

Timmons said homeowners have until the day of the sale to resolve foreclosure issues. On any given month, 40 to 70 percent of sales are pulled off the auction block the day of the sale.

Of the 40 sheriff sales advertised in this newspaper, eight were listed in Lewes, seven in Millsboro and five each in Rehoboth Beach, Lincoln, Milton and Georgetown.

Under the state's automatic residential mortgage foreclosure mediation program, borrowers and lenders or third-party mediators negotiate a way to keep people in their homes or find a way to give up their property without going to foreclosure.

The program also requires that homeowners meet with a HUD approved housing counselor.

Go to www.delawarehomeownerrelief.com or call 800-220-5424 for more information.