Erie County Set To Foreclosure On Thousands Of New Yorkers

Something that roundly impacts thousands of families in New York every year, which in many communities hasn't happened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to happen again this month.

The Erie County In Rem Foreclosure Action is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 9 a.m. The auction, which will be held at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, will offer more than 1,600 properties to prospective buyers.

The properties set to be auctioned have at least two years of financial delinquency with the county. That could be unpaid taxes or fees, and because the fees haven't been paid in more than two years, Erie County is set to seize these properties and sell them to recoup what is owed.

READ MORE: Here’s What You Do If You Get A Foreclosure Notice In New York

Foreclosure is a life-changing event that can impact a family for generations. Not only is the government taking away someone's property, but that family may become homeless if they are living in the property.

Earlier this year, Scott A. Bylewski, the Director of Erie County's Real Property Tax Services and law firm Lippes Mathias, LLP, held a seminar to instruct people purchasing properties being taken by the county and sold.

Because there has not been a foreclosure action in several years, multiple properties are eligible to be sold. A full list of the eligible properties can be found on the county website.

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Only Erie County is proceeding with the foreclosure auction in the area. The City of Buffalo suspended its foreclosure action during COVID-19 and has not yet announced whether and when it will resume.

If your home is on the foreclosure list or you are in danger of foreclosure, help is available. Several non-profit legal service agencies in Buffalo are here to help.