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1. Does Pitt County sell Tax Lien Certificates?

North Carolina State law prohibits the selling of property tax liens.

2. Is there is a list of pending foreclosures for interested buyers?

A list of properties scheduled for an upcoming sale is listed on this website. However, we do not list properties that do not have a definite sale date scheduled. The Tax Office does not maintain or provide a mailing list of these properties.

3. Can you pay someone’s delinquent taxes and become the owner of the property?

No. Paying someone else’s taxes will not entitle you to any legal ownership to the property.

4. Are these properties involved in mortgage or bankruptcy sales?

These sales are generated from delinquent tax liens only. They are not related to any mortgage company or bankruptcy foreclosures. The County has no knowledge of foreclosure proceedings being conducted by a mortgage company or a bankruptcy court.

5. How often do you have foreclosure sales?

Pitt County has foreclosure sales throughout the year. Properties for sale are advertised two consecutive Sundays prior to sale in The Daily Reflector. Notices of Sale are also posted on the Courthouse bulletin board for 20 days prior to the sale.

6. Where are the sales conducted?

The foreclosure sales are conducted on the Courthouse steps on the Third Street entrance to the building, next to the office of the Register of Deeds. During inclement weather, at the Sheriff’s discretion the sale may be held inside the building.

7. On what days are the sales held?

The sale dates are randomly selected and are generally scheduled to occur at 10 a.m. on the specified sale date.

8. How much is required as a deposit on the day of the sale?

A 10% (ten percent) deposit of the highest bid at the initial date of sale is required. This bid must be made in cash or certified bank check made payable to ‘Sheriff of Pitt County’. Personal checks are not accepted. The deposit must be presented to the Deputy Sheriff conducting the sale within 30 (thirty) minutes of the conclusion of the foreclosure sale. Many major banks are conveniently located near the Courthouse.

During the upset bid process, the minimum bid on any property must be the greater of $750 or 5% of the last winning bid. The deposit on such an upset bid must also be the greater of $750 or 5% of the submitted upset bid. The deposit must be made in cash or certified bank check made payable to ‘Pitt County Clerk of Court’. Personal checks are not accepted.

9. Where do I go to place an upset bid on a property?

Foreclosure sale upset bids must be submitted in person at the Clerk of Court’s Office, Third Floor of the Civil Department, at the Pitt County Courthouse. The property’s physical address and docket number must be provided to the Clerk's Office in order for the Clerk to access the correct record to process your bid.

10. Does the 10-day upset bid period include weekends and holidays?

The day of the foreclosure sale is conducted 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.

11. Does Pitt County offer financing?

Pitt County does not offer financing. It is the bidder’s responsibility to secure any necessary financing prior to bidding on any property.

12. When is my full/final payment expected?

Full and final payment of your winning bid is due upon the presentation of the Sheriff’s Deed, which is typically 10 days following the confirmation of your winning bid.

13. What kind of deed will I receive?

You will receive a Sheriff’s Deed, and in accordance with G. S. 105-375, “The purchaser at the execution sale shall acquire title to the property in fee simple free and clear of all claims, rights, interests, and liens except the liens of other taxes or special assessments not paid from the purchase price and not included in the judgment.”

14. What happens to property when no one raises the County's opening bid at a foreclosure sale?

If no initial or upset bid is submitted on a foreclosure property, Pitt County will be confirmed as the winning bidder on the property by the Clerk of Court, and such property may become surplus property to be sold at a later date.