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More than 500 properties on initial tax sale list

Times Observer photos by Josh Cotton Significant portions of the Impact Warren project area — the condors and 309 Pa Ave. W. — are on an initial upset tax sale list. The sale is set for September but many of the properties’ 2019 taxes will be paid by then in order to avoid the sale.

An initial listing of over 500 properties for the upset tax sale this fall might seem like a lot. But it marks the lowest total in nearly a decade.

The list was published in Saturday’s Times Observer and addresses a sale set for Sept. 27 for properties with unpaid 2019 property taxes.

Out of the total, 95 of the properties are located in the City of Warren.

As is the case most years, many of the properties part of the Impact Warren project — the condos along the Allegheny River and the apartments and office space that front Pennsylvania Ave. between Liberty St. and Hickory St. — appear on the list.

A total of 12 parcels under the ownership of The Landing at Warren LP with Breeze Point Circle addresses made the list as well as the 301-303 Pennsylvania Ave. W. 331-333 Pennsylvania Ave. W. and 337-343 Pennsylvania Ave. W. also are included.

All of those properties are owned by entities with addresses out of Turbotville, Pa.

As are the West Liberty Apartments at 309 Pennsylvania Ave. W. that brings the highest approximate upset price at $189,178.11. The estimated totals are based on back taxes, estimated 2021 taxes, liens and other taxes and fees. Taxes for these properties are typically paid at the last minute before the sale.

After the City of Warren’s 95 properties, Sheffield (44), Conewango (35), Pittsfield (32) and Freehold (31) are the next highest totals.

The last day to pay to avoid the sale is Sept. 24 by 4 p.m. The notice explains that for the first time a registration process will be required for “any person or business entity that intends to bid” at the sale. The deadline to complete that registration is Sept. 17.

Last year, there were 602 properties on the initial list, the lowest number since at least 2012 when over 1,200 properties were listed.

County staff credit the decline to conversations with payers on the ability to make payments, online payment availability and improvements to the mailing process. It’s reasonable that the existence of COVID-19 stimulus funds also is a factor.

Many of the properties listed won’t make it to the sale. Typically less than 100 make it to sale day. Just 25 went in 2015

Properties sold at upset sale come with any mortgages and liens so the sale rate is generally less than 30 percent.

Starting at $4.00/week.

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