DE

Bidder process

1. 01Determine which method applies: the monition method of sale under Subchapter II or the sale of land for delinquent taxes in Kent and Sussex Counties under Subchapter IV (9 Del. C. ch. 87)
2. 02Under the monition method, the tax collecting authority files a praecipe and the prothonotary issues a monition to the sheriff; after the sheriff's return, a writ of venditioni exponas commands the sheriff to sell the property (9 Del. C. § 8725(a))
3. 03If the county so provides in the notice, certify to the county governing body before bidding that you (and your affiliated entities) do not own real property in the county with amounts past due over $1,000 or vacant at least 18 consecutive months without a valid building permit or pending land use application, and obtain the county's certificate to present to the sheriff before the sale (9 Del. C. § 8726(b)-(c))
4. 04Bid at the sheriff's public sale; the department of finance or the chief county financial officer may approve or disapprove the final bid (9 Del. C. § 8726(a))
5. 05For a Kent or Sussex County sale under Subchapter IV, bid at the courthouse door at the advertised day, hour, and place (9 Del. C. § 8772(a))
6. 06The sale is returned to the Superior Court, which approves it or sets it aside (9 Del. C. § 8731; § 8773)
7. 07The owner may redeem within 60 days of the Court's approval on payment of the purchase price plus 15 percent and costs (Subchapter II) or within 1 year of the sale on payment of the purchase money plus 20 percent interest (Subchapter IV); once redemption expires, the purchaser petitions for a deed and pays the cost of the deed (9 Del. C. §§ 8729, 8776, 8778(c))

Registration

Yes

Registration mode

in_person

Registration deadline

the county-generated certificate must be presented to the sheriff prior to the sale, and the sheriff requires it prior to registering any bidder (9 Del. C. § 8726(c))

Registration fee

Not documented

Deposit required

Not documented

Deposit amount

Not documented

Deposit percent

Not documented

Deposit refundable

Not documented

Sale format

in_person

Payment deadline

Not documented

Payment methods

unknown

Residency required

Not documented

• A certificate generated by the county that the bidder must present to the sheriff before the sale, when the county requires bidder certification (9 Del. C. § 8726(c))
• If the notice so indicates, the county may require a bidder, before any bid, to certify that the bidder (directly or through affiliated entities) does not own real property in the county with amounts past due over $1,000 under 25 Del. C. § 2901(a) or that has been vacant at least 18 consecutive months without a valid building permit or pending land use application (9 Del. C. § 8726(b))
• 501(c)(3) organizations and community development corporations meeting the stated conditions are exempt from the certification requirement (9 Del. C. § 8726(b))