Frequently Asked Questions

Yes.

No, if the residence is unoccupied.

Yes, if the residence is occupied and you get permission to enter from the residents.

No. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office cannot give permission for you to enter a residence.

• You may “hold” your bid by writing a personal check to the Poweshiek County Sheriff for the full amount you bid if your check is accompanied by a Letter of Guarantee (example) from the bank you are writing the check on.
  • Depending on where you bank, you will be given enough time to go to your bank and get a cashier’s check for the full amount you bid and return it to the Poweshiek County Sheriff's Office. At that time, you will receive back your personal check. In any event, this transaction must be completed by 1:00 p.m. of the day of the sale.
• Another possibility is if you know the maximum you are going to bid, you may have a cashier’s check for that amount already made payable to the Poweshiek County Sheriff. If your actual bid is less than that, you will be refunded the difference.
• Cash is always accepted.

Please note:  We will require individuals sign in prior to the start of the sale with their name, contact information and acceptable letters of guarantee (example) and checks to eliminate down time and make the sale run more efficiently.  After the sale the successful bidders will meet with the Sheriff or Office Deputy to provide the pertinent information for preparing the Certificate of Purchase or Deed, submit the letter of guarantee along with the check or obtain a receipt for cash, and given any further instructions needed.

Pursuant to the Code of Iowa, 626.85, the judgment holder may proceed against you for the amount you bid. If the judgment holder does not wish to proceed against you, the sale will be treated as a nullity and the Sheriff’s Office will then proceed as mandated by the Code of Iowa.

The judgment holder almost always starts the bidding. Generally, the judgment holder bids in writing a plaintiff’s bid on judgment. This bid is usually given to the Sheriff’s Office before the day of the sale. The judgment holder’s bid, if given to the Sheriff prior to the sale, is considered a sealed bid and will not be disclosed until the sale is called.

Taxes stay with the property. If you made the purchase, you are now responsible for the taxes.

If you purchase property with a redemption period, you will be issued a Certificate of Purchase. When the redemption period is up, you may then return the original Certificate of Purchase to the Sheriff and you will then receive a Sheriff’s Deed. It is very important you do not lose the original Certificate of Purchase. If you lose it, you will not receive a Sheriff’s Deed until you get a court order directing the Sheriff to issue you a duplicate Certificate of Purchase. (626.96) If you fail to have a Sheriff’s Deed issued within 8 years after the date of issuance of the Certificate of Purchase, the Sheriff’s Sale will be cancelled. (626.97).

If the sale notice indicates there is a redemption period, that is the amount of time the defendant has the right to redeem the real estate after the sale. If the defendant makes redemption, this must be completed at the Poweshiek County Clerk of Court’s Office.

This is a question for your attorney.

This is a question for your attorney.

These are questions for your attorney.

• In a Special Execution, the Court directs what the Sheriff shall sell.
• In a General Execution, the plaintiff directs the Sheriff what to sell. If the plaintiff directs the Sheriff to sell real estate pursuant to a General Execution, the Sheriff sells only the right, title and interest the defendant has in the real estate. Before bidding for any real estate at a Sheriff’s Sale, it is wise to consult an attorney.

This is a question for your attorney.

Absolutely not.