FAQ Categories

Foreclosures

You can research upcoming sales at ZLS-NC.COM (Zacchaeus Legal Services)
When foreclosure properties are ready for auction, the sale dates are posted on the Foreclosures Page on the bulletin board in the Hall of Justice (175 N. Chestnut St, Winston-Salem) and in the Winston-Salem Journal for three weeks prior to sale.

Surplus properties may be viewed on the Surplus Properties Page.
Foreclosure Sales are held at 175 N. Chestnut St, Winston-Salem, N.C.
North Carolina State law prohibits the selling of property tax liens.
Sale dates for foreclosure sales are determined as needed and occur at 12:00 noon.
On the day of the sale, only auction attendee bids will be accepted.  Post-sale, upset bids are accepted in person at the Clerk of Courts office, Room #4501.
Cash, money orders or certified funds are accepted for deposits. Checks need to be made payable to Zacchaeus Legal Services. Deposits of 20% of the bid amount are generally required. Deposits of more that 20% are allowed                                                               
Forsyth County does not offer financing when purchasing a property in foreclosure.
No earned interest is paid for funds on deposit.
Foreclosure Sales require a 5% - 20% of the highest bid (as set out in the Notice of Sale).
Foreclosure sale upset bids must be submitted in person at the Clerk of Court’s Office, Room #4501, Hall of Justice, 175 N. Chestnut St, Winston-Salem, N.C. The court case number must be provided to the Clerk's Office in order for the clerk to access the record. The court case number is available on the Property Tax Foreclosure Sales site.

Surplus property offers must be submitted to and agreed upon by the Board of Commissioners, and will then be subject to a 10-day upset bid period. Accepted offers will be advertised in the Winston-Salem Journal and subject to a 10-day upset bid. To submit an upset bid on Surplus Properties ONLY, contact the County Manager’s Office at (336)703-2020.
Foreclosure upset bids require a 5% increase over the last bid, with a minimum increase of $750.

Surplus property upset bids must be increased by 10% of first $1,000 and 5% of the balance of the most current bid.
The day after the foreclosure sale is recorded counts as Day 1. Saturday and Sunday are also counted; however, if Day 10 falls on the weekend or a holiday, the next working day shall be counted as Day 10.
Inquiries regarding "close out" status of foreclosure sales ONLY, must be made in person at the Clerk of Court's Office, Room 245, Hall of Justice, Second and Main Streets, Winston-Salem, N.C.
 
For Surplus properties ONLY, contact the County Manager’s office at (336)703-2020 to inquire if the upset bid period has closed.
Final payment on a foreclosure sale shall be due in the foreclosure attorney’s office upon delivery of the Commissioner’s deed and no later than 30 days after completion of the 10-day upset bid period.

Final payment on County surplus properties must be made within 10 days of completion of the 10-day upset bid period and are contingent upon approval of the bid by the Board of Commissioners.

For foreclosure sales, a Commissioner's Deed will be issued. Unless 
otherwise stated in the Notice of Sale, all liens including in the judgment 
will be eliminated after the Commissioner's Deed has been issued and 
recorded. The property is sold subject to all County and City taxes and 
assessment not included in the judgment.

A quickclaim deed will be issued for the County surplus properties.

If no initial bid is submitted on a foreclosure property, foreclosure sale properties move into Foreclosure Sale Residual Parcel status and may be made available for purchase at a later auction.  Sale dates will be determined as needed and will be advertised on the website and in the Winston-Salem Journal.
Foreclosure Sales are properties sold due to delinquent tax liens. 

Surplus Properties are parcels that are owned by the County.  The County acquired these properties by becoming the last and highest bidder at their foreclosure sales. These parcels may be purchased directly from the County by submitting a written offer, or by completing the "form for bid" located on the Surplus Properties Page.

 These properties are not to be confused with properties held by the County for its own use.
The property moves into surplus property status, and may be purchased directly from the County by completing and submitting the “offer to purchase” form—available on the Surplus Property Page.

The offer must be mailed to ATTN: Chelsea Swaim, Forsyth County , 201 N. Chestnut Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Offers may also be deposited in the Tax Collector’s Office drop box (to the right of the entrance to the parking deck), or dropped off with a cashier.

The offer will be reviewed by the County Board of Commissioners; and, if accepted, is subject to a 10-day upset bid.

You will receive notification of the status of your offer by either the County Manager’s or the County Attorney’s Office. (See question: How do I find out if the 10-day upset period has closed out?)
Forsyth County Tax Administration makes no warranties in connection with the properties being auctioned and specifically disclaims any warranties as to the title and habitability of the properties. All properties are being sold as is, without opinion as to title or any other matter. 

The sales will be made subject to all outstanding city and county taxes and all local improvement assessments against the properties not included in the judgment. 

 Bidders are advised to consult with their own legal or real estate professional for guidance specific to their own interests.
Currently foreclosures are handled by an outside attorney. If you are wanting to stop the foreclosure process on a property all taxes, interest and fees must be paid. Please call our Customer Care Group at 336-703-2300 and ask to speak with a foreclosure liaison who can provide you with a balance due.

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