LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Dozens of properties changed hands Thursday as the Allen County Auditor’s Office held its foreclosure auction, drawing a packed room of bidders from across the county.
State law requires the auditor to auction any properties that remain unsold after foreclosure proceedings. To participate, bidders must have no outstanding property taxes anywhere in Ohio, present a valid driver’s license and provide a cash down payment at the time of purchase. In preparation for the sale, the auditor’s office reached out to realtors, contractors and even nearby residents to generate interest and help return distressed parcels to productive use.
“Right now, these properties stand in the state of Ohio’s name, so nobody is mowing them, nobody is taking care of them. There could be squatters in them,” Auditor Rachael Gilroy said. “Now we’re getting these properties back into the neighborhoods, where the neighborhoods have control of those properties and can make their areas better.”
Gilroy said the sales will help return the properties to income-producing status and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Allen County.
All but one of the parcels had their back taxes released upon the sale and transfer of ownership. Gilroy said the sales will help return the properties to income-producing status and strengthen neighborhoods throughout Allen County.
