text: sheriff sale/ foreclosures question for allegheny county? i found a property i would like to bid on at sheriff sale. i have a couple questions before moving forward though. any advice would be appreciated big time.  1. senior loan judgement leading to sheriff sale. this wipes out all  other creditors except taxes?  2. i have about $5,000 for 10% down payment. how can i go about getting a loan for the rest? this would be my first home purchase.  thanks again for the help. as to your first question, generally yes, the sale of this property will "wipe out" all other creditors. the exception would be if something wasn't found on the report that they use (typically the attorney who is handling the foreclosure orders a report that "guarantees" the sale). the attorneys use this report to make sure that everyone has been notified. that's also why they are required to "post" the sale in conspicuous places. so, i would recommend getting a title search to see what is in fact out there on this property.  as to the second question, that's the hard part about buying from a foreclosure or seizure. the lender takes time to do all of it's stuff (underwriting, appraisals, etc), and normally you don't have a lot of time before the sale. i'd suggest talking to your bank or your local mortgage consultants. tell them exactly what you want to do, and they'll tell you whether or not they can help. hopefully, you'll find one that can, but it won't be easy. typically at a foreclosure/seizure/sheriff's sale, you need to have the money within moments of having the winning bid. okay, that part isn't so bad, but what if there are other people bidding against you? it doesn't happen often (in my 5 years of this, i never saw it happen and only heard of it once), but it can happen.   i hope all of this helps out. good luck, i hope you get it and that it's in immaculate shape!